The Surprising Link Between Exercise and Higher Income

A common trait among extraordinary achievers and leaders is their commitment to regular exercise. Despite their busy schedules, they consistently carve out time for physical fitness.

Exercise doesn’t just keep them healthy, it keeps their energy and enthusiasm high, fuels creativity, and helps them stay resilient when challenges come their way.

When you exercise, your lungs draw in more oxygen, your blood circulates more effectively, and your body stays active and mobile.

Regular movement prevents stiffness, lowers the risk of disease, and recharges your body. And when your body feels alive, your mind responds with clarity and positivity.

The Advantages of Exercising Regularly

The benefits of exercise extend far beyond just looking fit. Here’s what you gain when you commit to moving your body:

• More energy and enthusiasm: You’ll feel lighter, sharper, and more motivated throughout the day.

• Mental clarity: Exercise improves focus, helping you think clearly and make better decisions.

• Stress relief: Regular movement reduces anxiety and depression while promoting sound, restful sleep.

• Better relationships: Exercise improves mood and intimacy, helping maintain a strong bond with your partner.

• Disease prevention: Reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

• Anti-aging effects: Exercise boosts metabolism, builds stamina, strengthens muscles, and keeps skin glowing.

• Longevity: Active people live longer, healthier lives with a better quality of day-to-day wellbeing.

In short, exercise benefits your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual health.

How to Get Started

If you’re not exercising yet, the best time to start is today. In the beginning, you may feel muscle soreness. This is simply your body adjusting. Stick with it, and you’ll soon notice fat burning, energy rising, and strength building.

Here are three simple ways to begin:

1. Join a Gym

• Consult your doctor first if you have conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

• Be upfront with your trainer about your goals (losing weight, gaining strength, improving endurance, etc.).

• Ask for a customised workout plan and update it regularly to avoid boredom.

• If possible, hire a personal trainer for tailored guidance.

2. Practice Yoga or At-Home Workouts

• You don’t need an expensive gym membership to see results.

• Start with yoga or breathing exercises (Pranayama) under the guidance of an instructor.

• Proper breathing is essential; wrong technique can do more harm than good.

• Once confident, you can continue at home using YouTube tutorials or fitness apps.

3. Play Outdoor Sports

• Sports like football, tennis, cricket, badminton, or squash keep you fit while being fun and social.

• Competitive play pushes your body to run, stretch, and move faster.

• Sports build resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship, valuable qualities in every area of life.

Cultivating the Habit

Building consistency is the key:

• Pick a fixed time: Whether morning or evening, stick to it daily.

• Find a partner: Exercising with a friend or trainer keeps you motivated.

• Start slow: Don’t overdo it in the beginning. Gradually increase intensity.

• Stay disciplined: Remember the phrase, “No pain, no gain.”

When you treat exercise as a daily ritual like brushing your teeth, it becomes non-negotiable.

Exercise Is an Investment, Not an Expense

Spending an hour a day on exercise isn’t a cost; it’s an investment that multiplies returns in every area of your life.

• A Journal of Labor Research study found that employees who exercise regularly earn 9% more on average than those who don’t.

• Even people who exercise just one to three times a week earn about 5% more than their sedentary peers.

Beyond money, exercise gives you:

• Better appetite and digestion

• Sound, restorative sleep

• Greater resilience to face life’s challenges

Health is wealth, and exercise is how you protect it.

Final Thoughts

Exercising regularly strengthens not just your body but your entire way of life. It improves productivity, enhances relationships, builds confidence, and fills your days with energy and joy.

Start today, whether it’s a walk, a yoga session, or a game of tennis. Your future self will thank you for investing in the most valuable asset you have: your health.