Is exercise part of your job search?

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Five Reason Exercise is Crucial to Your Job Hunt

3 AUGUST 2011 WRITTEN BY: ANNIE FAVREAU 2 COMMENTS

Job hunting is can be rough, especially if it drags out for weeks or months. But if you’re glued to your computer the whole time—going cross-eyed looking at job postings and reviewing your resume—chances are that you’ve gained weight and lost some of your initial focus, confidence, and momentum—some of your most important tools for landing a job.

The best tip for combating the job hunt blues? Exercise.

Everyone knows the health benefits of taking your bike for a spin or digging up weeds in the garden (improved blood flow, weight loss, higher energy levels, etc.), but here are some less intuitive reasons why getting your heart rate up will do miracles for your searching experience:

You’ll improve your focus. Many studies have shown that any kind of regular activity boosts your brains ability to zero in on a task. Focus allows you to work smarter, not harder, so the more concentrated your job search, the better off you’ll be.

You’ll be less anxious. Exercise gives you a spike in both endorphin and serotonin levels, which lowers your stress levels and acts as a natural anti-depressant. Pretty good for a no-cost activity, right? What’s more, the challenge (okay, pain) of pushing through strenuous activity is a great distraction from negative thoughts.

You’ll gain confidence. By meeting exercise goals, or losing weight, you can recapture a sense of yourself as a successful person. And confidence is key to transforming everyday situations into business opportunities. Next time someone asks what you do, stop mumbling about “taking time off,” and use this as an opportunity to briefly explain what you want to do and seek help or advice.

You’ll add structure to your day. During a long job search, it’s tempting to sit around in your pajamas and watch reruns of Lost until two in the morning. However, the further you slip out of a normal schedule, the harder it will be to adjust back into a regular routine when you do land a job. Signing up for an fitness class or making a running date with a friend is a great way of getting yourself up, dressed, and productive.

You’ll expand your network. By doing an activity that allows for social interaction—whether it’s taking a walk through your neighborhood, or joining a running group—you will meet new people. This is great for your mental well-being (a simple hello can be an instant mood elevator), but it can also pay off in the job hunt: the more people you know, the better the chance they can connect you with a career lead.

I’m not saying you have to become an exercise junky: 30 minutes to an hour a day is more than enough. For a boost in concentration, morale, and network numbers, consider your time well spent.

So, go dig out those tennis shoes from the hall closet and get moving.