Tell me, does this describe you. You’ve just had a hard day at work. You’ve had some difficult people to deal with; your boss is giving you a hard time, and you wish you’d gone to bed earlier last night. You feel that you don’t have any energy and you just want to go home a veg out in front of the TV.

I found myself feeling somewhat similar the other day. I’d had a hard day, I felt tired and I kept thinking about a beer sitting in the fridge just waiting for me. But the thing is; I’d booked a circuit class at the gym. I nearly cancelled and went home, but I’m glad I didn’t because I remembered two things.

We have brain energy and we have body energy.

Your brain energy may be depleted but your body energy may be okay. So when you get that tired feeling it may just be your brain that’s had enough.

Now, if you have a particularly physical job, then your body energy may also be depleted. But let’s face it; many of us nowadays sit behind desks, and the only physical activity we get is punching the computer keys or picking up the phone.

Even when you feel tired, you may feel a whole lot better after some exercise.

You don’t have to be a gym bunny

Now I know you think you don’t have the time. You may also be the type that doesn’t want to go to the gym and lift heavy things that might fall on your toes, or leap about in an aerobics class.

However, you need to take some exercise that makes you sweat a little.

I’m sorry, but a round of golf doesn’t count, it isn’t the kind of exercise you need. Golf is great and it’s good for the stress but it doesn’t make you sweat.

Make it fun

If you’re going to walk then walk fast for a distance, enough to push up the heart rate and increase the breathing.

Start to think how you can make your exercise enjoyable. I’ve seen some people at the gym making the whole business a real chore. They get on a bike or a rowing machine and try to kill themselves for twenty minutes.

If that’s your thing then fine (you masochist) but please don’t make it hard on yourself. Plug into the sound system and catch up with what’s on TV.

As I’ve said, I like to do circuit classes with a whole group of people many of which have become friends. I enjoy the chat beforehand, the music, the exercise and looking at the girls. Okay, okay forget the last bit, I’m only kidding. I’m too old for that (and if you believe that, you’ll believe anything)

Here comes the lecture

Do yourself a favor, the next time you have a hard day take some physical exercise. You’ll feel a whole lot better, you’ll sleep better and you’ll feel less stressed.

I’m off for that beer…..Oops!

Related articles

• How important is exercising? (wmw1001.wordpress.com)
• 7 Tips to Function Better When You’re Tired (lifehack.org)