Save aggressively, and keep at it through thick and thin. That’s pretty much gospel for those aiming for early retirement. There should be one more item on the to-do list, though, and that’s exercising. There are too many benefits of staying in shape to ignore for anyone thinking about quitting their day job early.
After all, you want to be healthy enough to enjoy life post 9 to 5. Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Exercising is a necessity for those not working the grind anymore. Most people simply don’t move enough once they retire. Couple that with fewer social interactions, and you are looking at a slow decline to a point where life wouldn’t be enjoyable. I can tell you from experience. I’m not retired yet, but working at home in a one-person business took its toll after a few years. I noticed that not only did I not have the energy I used to, my ability to articulate my thoughts verbally also declined. Yikes! Luckily, the effects were reversible because I started becoming super active, including exercising regularly. I am now happy to report that my brain and body no longer feel sluggish.
The skills needed to exercise are the same as the ones needed for saving money. I always thought I could take everything on my website about money matters and easily change it to a fitness site because the ideas are the same. Exercising is hard, and those who are successful are the ones who can deal with the short-term pain to reap the long-term reward. Being successful at delaying the gratification of having a higher energy level and a better physique will help you save more because you will more easily understand what it’s like to achieve financial freedom by putting in the work of spending less.
You will likely excel at your career, netting you a higher salary. You already know exercising will boost your energy level, which helps you get things done. You’ll also be in a better mood, smiling more and becoming more attractive. The increase in blood flow also helps your mental capacity, helping you come up with creative solutions to issues that arise. All these benefits translate to you being a more effective worker. How can you not get paid more? Don’t just listen to me. According to a study published in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of Labor Research, workers who exercised regularly earned 9 percent more. This means a faster track toward financial independence, as you get to put more toward your goal every paycheck.
You might even have energy to start a side business. I’m convinced that pretty much anybody can earn a little more with a side hustle, and this helps you financially in two ways. First, extra income means more money put aside each month toward financial independence. And can you imagine how much easier it is to retire from your day job if you have additional income to fall back on? The only problem is that almost no one has the extra time and energy required to start and maintain a side business. If you start exercising, the boost in energy just might push you over the hump to start one. That little bit of difference could change your life.
The get-up-and-go mentality rubs off in other areas of your life. After I started exercising, I had more energy and willingness to start picking up the phone to call my friends more often. I volunteered more, and I became more willing to try out new things. Even honey-dos don’t feel as much like a chore anymore. All these new activities have made me a happier, fuller person. I have much deeper relationships with those around me, and people are genuinely happy to see me. Contrast that with the coach potato weirdo that I was. Which one would you rather be? Which one would those around you appreciate more?
Look, exercising is extremely hard — I get it. But could an early retiree like yourself afford to skip staying in shape? The trade-off of a little muscle pain for a much better life is a no-brainer. Start the routine now, and reap the rewards soon.
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Want to Retire Early? Start Exercising originally appeared on usnews.com