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Most of us tend to take a break from the gym every weekend to make time for some well-deserved relaxation—a.k.a. watching Netflix on the couch.
Unfortunately, all that down time only makes the Monday morning grind feel like you never had a break at all.
Somehow, you actually end up feeling more tired, sluggish, and ready for Friday to come around once the weekend ends.
After a long weekend, going to the gym on Monday feels impossible, even laughable.
But before you call it a day and get back in bed, here are 5 important reasons why you should think twice about skipping your morning workout at the beginning of the week, according to Life by DailyBurn:
- You’ll Boost Brainpower: Starting Monday out with an intense morning sweat session has been shown to increase levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor), which can help build healthier nerve cells. One particular study actually found that a morning workout helped participants perform better on memory tests.
- You’ll Probably Exercise All Week: The way you start out the week on Monday really does determine how you’ll feel on Friday. There’s no big secret as to why Monday workouts are so important, but it most likely has to do with setting a routine. Having a schedule makes us feel like we’re in control, so exercising on Monday really sets the tone for Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
- You’ll Feel Less Anxious: Even if you don’t think you get anxious very often, there’s a reason you always dread Mondays: work-week anxiety. Imagining all those papers piling up right before your end-of-the-week deadline is enough to make anybody’s heart race. But you can actually ease your mind and control the Monday morning jitters by squeezing in a quick morning workout—plus all those endorphins will make you feel extra happy before walking into the office.
- You’ll Smile More: Research shows that the average office worker doesn’t even crack a smile until 11:16 a.m. on Mondays. And why should they? The weekend just ended and there are so many days to get through until Friday. One way to feel a little happier before heading over to the office is by burning a few calories. Exercise offers us a sense of accomplishment like nothing else. There’s really no better way to take on the day than knowing you don’t have to go to the gym later.
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- You’ll Sleep Better: According to Life by DailyBurn, one study found that four months of consistent exercise helped chronic insomniacs sleep about 45 minutes extra each night. Plenty of other research shows that resistance exercise helps recharge your circadian rhythm, your body’s internal clock that controls your sleep cycle.
What do you think of these? Tell us in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2011 Rory MacLeod/Flickr
