Finding the time for fitness when you are a business owner can be challenging. With unpredictable hours, split shifts and the urgency of business demands, this can be the first thing to be dropped.

Prioritising this will pay dividends for your physical and emotional well-being. The American College of Sports and Medicine (ACSM) recommends that all healthy adults should aim for 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week and strength training each major muscle group 2-3x per week.

If that sounds challenging, consider the kind of exercise that you enjoy as you are far more likely to adhere to something you enjoy. Do you like training in a group or doing it by yourself? Do you enjoy training to music, or do you prefer being outside to the sounds of nature? Make sure to increase your movement throughout the day – walk instead of drive, maybe even hold a walking meeting. If you’re not a fan of the gym, don’t fret – sports teams, personal trainers, outdoor exercise…. they all count and with so many choices you can have fun trying them to find what works for you. Be consistent in your commitment to exercise but remain flexible in what you do.

The benefits of this are of course not just physical. I challenge people to change their view of it from something we ‘have to do’ or ‘should do’ but instead to view it as something you do because you personally value its holistic benefits. Regular stretching and movement improves sleep, boosts mood and reduces stress and anxiety; huge benefits to any business owner.

Written by Samantha Robbins – Zest Live