Starting a new business can be extremely exhausting. From Idea validation to raising funds, and setting your first store to promotions, you have to work extremely hard, both mentally and physically.
Mark blogs at MR ALPHA and he is currently working on a piece about entrepreneurs who suffered physical or mental issues due to the stress caused by their businesses. This is what he has to share … “You must not ignore the two most important things, your health and your family. No matter, how excited or how caught up you are with your next venture, you need to take out some time for exercise and meditation”.
Let’s see what can be a good time to work out for entrepreneurs:
Know Your Circadian Rhythm
Whether you are an early bird or a night owl is decided by your body's circadian rhythm. Before you select a specific time for your workout, you must try to understand what times of the day are you feeling the most awake and energetic – and then set up a time accordingly.
The circadian rhythm is your body's biological clock that works in unison with the 24-hour cycle of the sun. It is responsible for regulating your blood pressure, heart rate, sleeping patterns, hunger, and satiety as well as hormone levels. Now you understand why having good insight about your body's biological clock can help you set times for working out for effectively. It comes down to your cortisol and melatonin levels which are regulated by your body's biological clock.
Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone. Under healthy stress conditions, your brain tends to function better and you get the most work done. Cortisol levels peak right after waking up, whereas, melatonin levels are highest from dusk to nighttime. This hormone is responsible for the body's psychological and physical repair process – and makes you drowsy, thus preparing you to hit the bed.
Making A Habit
The benefits of working out at specific hours of the day are minimal. Although there have been researches, the results have not significantly pointed out the benefits of working out at a specific time of the day. Seems like the benefits come down to being consistent, irrespective of the time. Thus, setting a specific time that suits your routine, gym instructor, your circadian rhythm and personal preference is more important. This will help you with a habit so that you are not resistant to hitting the gym or taking that one-hour long hike around the park.
Pros And Cons Of Exercising In The Morning
If you are not a morning person, chances are that you will have a harder time getting out of bed to work out. Thus, you might end up skipping it altogether. Moreover, morning workouts require more time to warm up. But it is not recommended that you work out on an empty stomach – for you may feel light-headed and nauseated without breakfast. Have a high carb and high protein snack at least thirty minutes before starting your morning workout. Working out on an empty stomach suppresses appetite, which can be very counter-productive if you are trying to eat more protein for building muscle mass. It definitely helps to take Agel products before or after your workout for an energy boost.
On the other hand, people prefer morning workouts because it kick starts their day at a good note. Research has also found that just thirty minutes of exercise can give you two hours of uninterrupted focus, higher executive function and better overall performance as well as mood. This can be very efficient for people with hectic schedules that demand more of their time till late at night. Thus, getting one thing off the list early in the morning will not only make you consistent but also motivate you to complete the next tasks.
Pros And Cons Of Exercising In The Evening
Most people prefer to exercise in the evening since it is a less mentally demanding activity. As discussed earlier, cortisol levels are highest in the morning. Thus, most people opt to perform more mentally straining activities in the earlier hours of the day. Whereas, melatonin levels are highest at night – exercising during the evening can also speed up the post-workout muscle recovery process.
One of the biggest benefits of working out in the evening for busy entrepreneurs is getting good sleep. It has been observed that entrepreneurs who exercise in the evening tends to fall asleep faster, have uninterrupted sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
Selecting A Workout Time For Busy Entrepreneurs
In conclusion, morning workouts should be preferred for entrepreneurs that need and extra kick to help you get through a long day, especially if you have a long list of overwhelming goals. Getting one thing off the list can help you look forward to completing the rest of the goals. Evening workouts suit busy entrepreneurs who do not have to perform mentally straining tasks in the evening.
