The Role of Exercise in Achieving Work-Life Balance

In the pursuit of work-life balance, we often talk about boundaries, flexible hours, and switching off emails. These are all important, but I’m also a big believer in prioritising exercise. A healthy body helps clear the way for a healthy mind. 

Why Exercise is Good for Mental Health 

Exercise has long been a cornerstone of my physical health, but as I’ve grown older and more in tune with my body, I’ve realised it plays an equally vital role in how I show up mentally and emotionally — at work, at home, and in my relationships. There’s something incredibly grounding about feeling strong in your body. When I feel good physically, it creates a ripple effect through the rest of my life. I’m more focused in meetings, more present in conversations, and more confident in myself. 

Just as importantly, exercise is a major part of how I manage my mental health. It’s not a “nice to have” or something I squeeze in when there’s time — when I make time for exercise, everything else flows more smoothly. Whether I’ve had a stressful day, an emotional conversation, or just feel a little off, movement always helps me reset. It clears the mental fog, calms my nervous system, and brings me back to centre. 

When life gets busy, it’s easy to let fitness fall to the bottom of the list. But prioritising health is one of the most powerful ways we can put ourselves first. I often think of my body like a car — when I fuel it properly and maintain it, it takes me where I need to go. But if I neglect it, it becomes unreliable. Exercise, for me, is a form of self-respect. 

The Benefits of Exercise for Work-Life Balance 

There have been many times where I’ve been busy at work and tempted to skip a workout. But every time I make the effort, I’m glad I did. Moving my body and making time for physical activity is never something I regret. 

That’s why I see exercise as a key part of my work-life balance — not something separate from it. And this belief has only deepened since the rise of hybrid working. 

Before 2020, I was in the office five days a week. That routine often left little time or energy for movement. After a long commute and a full day of meetings, the thought of a workout felt exhausting. Early mornings were no better — waking up at 6am for the gym and then working all day just wasn’t sustainable. 

Now, working from home two days a week gives me the flexibility to weave movement into my day more naturally. I can head to a local HIIT class, go for a lunchtime walk, or hit the gym after work without battling peak-hour traffic. It also frees up time during the week to get through domestic tasks, like laundry or groceries, so my weekends aren’t eaten up by chores. 

As a result, my weekends have completely transformed. Instead of rushing through errands, I use that time to rest, connect with friends, or do something nourishing. That recharge time is invaluable, and exercise has played a big role in helping me create it. 

At its core, work-life balance is about space. Space to move, to rest, to think, to be present. And for me, exercise is one of the tools that helps create that space — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. 

It doesn’t always look the same. Some weeks it’s strength training. Other weeks, it’s a walk in the sun or some stretching on the lounge room floor. But the constant is consistency. I don’t wait until I’m burnt out to move; I use movement to prevent burnout in the first place. 

As we continue to redefine what balance looks like in a modern working world, I hope more people come to see exercise not as another item on the to-do list, but as a foundation of support — an anchor. Because when we move better, we feel better. And when we feel better, we do better in every part of life.