Early morning workouts key to better day in office, new study says

Exercising before work could be the key to a happy day in the office according to new research.

A recent study of 300 employees found early-morning exercisers were more engaged and less exhausted at work.

Physical activity before work increased challenge appraisal, and decreased hindrance and threat appraisal, which had a positive impact on emotional fatigue and job related worry.

“People seem to evaluate their upcoming workday as more of a [positive] challenge and less of a personal threat after getting active, which subsequently leads to more engagement and less exhaustion,” Malte Roswag, the lead research author, said.

Employee well-being was boosted by exercise such as yoga, walking, running, cycling and strength training for around 30 minutes before work. One participant even recorded hula-hooping.

The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, was conducted over a two-week period with people who worked at least 20 hours a week.