When we think about the value of exercise, we tend to focus on the physical benefits. Lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, a more attractive physique. But over the past decade, social scientists have quietly amassed compelling evidence suggesting that there is another, more immediate benefit of regular exercise: its impact on the way we think.

Studies indicate that our mental firepower is directly linked to our physical regimen. And nowhere are the implications more relevant than to our performance at work. Consider the following cognitive benefits, all of which you can expect as a result of incorporating regular exercise into your routine:

• Improved concentration

• Sharper memory

• Faster learning

• Prolonged mental stamina

• Enhanced creativity

• Lower stress

Not only does exercise enable us to soak in more information, work more efficiently, and be more productive, it has also been shown to elevate mood, which has serious implications for workplace performance; most jobs require you to build interpersonal connections and foster collaborations…within this context, feeling irritable is no longer simply an inconvenience but it can directly influence the degree to which you are successful.

With research revealing the cognitive benefits of exercise, what prevents us from exercising more often? For many of us, the answer is simple: We just don’t have the time. In fairness, this is a legitimate excuse; there are weeks when work is overwhelming and there are deadlines outside our control that need to be met. But let’s be clear: What we really mean when we say we “don’t have time” is that we don’t consider it a priority given the time we have available.

But experts say getting an hour’s exercise during the day should be viewed with the same importance as a work meeting. The alternative, which involves processing information more slowly, forgetting more often, and getting easily frustrated, makes us less effective at our jobs and harder to get along with for our colleagues.

“The key is to schedule the time,” says Sandy Todd Webster, editor-in-chief of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a San Diego-based organization that connects more than 14,000 personal trainers and fitness professionals around the world. “Literally write the workout into your calendar – and then hold that appointment as sacred.”

Regardless of how you go about incorporating exercise into your routine (going to the gym, using the stairs, standing up frequently, jumping jacks or other movement), reframing it as part of your job makes it a lot easier to make time for it. Remember, you’re not abandoning work, you’re ensuring that the hours you put in have value.

Success Studio North is conveniently located in the UVA North Fork Discovery Park, just steps away from many local offices and a great place to have an appointment with a Skill Mill. And while you’re at it, click the button below to schedule your meeting with a personal trainer from either of our Success Studio locations, so you can increase your productivity while working (out).