We’ve heard it our whole lives.

Eat healthy food and get regular exercise. We’ve all heard it, but do we apply it?

For 75% of men and 60% of women in the United States, the answer is no. Well over half of Americans are overweight or obese.

“Okay, Dani. America has a weight problem. But what does this have to do with making more money?”

The marketplace pays for value. In a society that has more and more health issues, good health adds value.

American Business Magazine reported that research shows obese workers have more difficulty getting along with coworkers and take more sick days than workers who exercise regularly.

Which means poor health could actually be hurting your job performance.

Listen, I get it. You have a busy life. Between work and errands and household tasks and the kids, your health just takes a backseat. But continuing to put health at the bottom of your priority list could be the thing keeping you stuck right now.

I want to share just a few ways investing in your health is going to increase your value in your workplace and in your home and actually help you make more money.

1. Focus

Excercise releases endorphins in your brain which boosts brain function, allowing you to block out distractions and direct your energy at the task in front of you.

The natural result of increased focus is increased productivity. Higher production means higher value, whether you are working for someone else, or you are in business for yourself.

You are going to have the energy to stay on task, and also manage emotions. When you are tired all the time, it’s much easier to allow emotions to dictate how you think and respond to people and tasks throughout the day.

2. Creativity

Not only will you find that exercise improves your focus, it will also get your creative juices flowing.

Movement stimulates blood flow throughout your body, which means on a cellular level, your entire body is getting all the oxygen it needs to function at its very best.

Regular exercise also removes common barriers to creativity. Working out can relieve stress and tension, alleviate depression and mood swings, and allows your brain to think outside the box. You will have more to offer in brainstorm sessions, experience more creative problem solving and waste less time trying to come up with ideas.

3. Confidence

We already know exercise releases endorphins. It also boosts serotonin, the chemical in your brain that makes you feel happy. PLUS regular exercise combined with healthy eating obviously is going to result in a better-looking body.

When you look good and feel good, your self-image and self-esteem rise. High confidence levels are linked to lower stress levels, better relationships, and overall better work performance.

I recently interviewed Sara Michaels on my TV and radio show, The Dani Johnson Show. When Sara’s youngest child was born, she didn’t work out for 14 months.

She was working several jobs, trying to do her best as a mom to her young kids.

But, she was broke, overweight, constantly stressed out and her self-esteem had tanked. She was trapped in a toxic, abusive relationship and saw no way out.

“I was at the doctor with my baby, and I looked at myself in the full-length mirror in the exam room, and here I am- not pregnant- with my maternity pants unbuttoned and my maternity shirt stretched out. 

“I had the courage to step on the scale, and I was 216 pounds. And I’m 5’3″, so I look like the Willy Wonka blueberry girl.”

That was the moment Sara knew she needed a change. Sara was too embarrassed to go to the gym, but she committed to a 30-minute workout at home every morning.

“I was so weak I couldn’t even make it through the first one. But I kept doing it every day. Within one week, my energy was up, I felt confident and I got myself out of that toxic and abusive relationship.”

Sara has since learned how to have a healthy relationship with food, she has a regular work out routine, has lost 72 pounds, is no longer a stress-case, AND she gained the confidence to start a successful business. All because she knew taking care of her body had to be a priority.

[You can hear Sara’s entire story on The Dani Johnson Show right here.]

4. Better People Skills

How do you treat people when you’re having a good day? When you wake up and feel like everything is going your way? You smile at people. You ask them how they’re doing. You want to spread that happiness all over the place.

But when you’re having a bad day…

Your whole body is tense. You’re ready to snap at anyone who breathes the wrong way in your direction. You don’t want to collaborate. It’s hard to stay focused throughout the day. Your coworkers have to tiptoe around you.

Not a formula for peaceful work relationships and good work performance.

A study by the University of Bristol found that workers who exercise and eat healthy foods report positive increased tolerance, lessened tempers, relieved anxiety and depression, heightened morale and a greater sense of calmness.

Think about how valuable all of those qualities are! Don’t you want to work with a person who possesses those traits? You can become that person by simply investing in your health.

5. Less Sick Days

Sickness is inevitable, but you can choose to make decisions that will help keep sick days to a minimum.

Working out and eating good, whole foods, boosts your immune system. You will get sick less often and your body will be equipped to fight sickness faster.

That is part of being a team player. Your other team members will know they can count on you to be consistent and available to contribute to the overall success of the team.

6. Improved Time Management

Good time management is one of the most valuable skills out there in the marketplace. People who can get more done in less time have incredibly high value to employers and team members. (Hint: These people make more money).

Believe it or not, working out can actually make you better at managing time. By creating the appointment to workout and planning healthy meals ahead of time to stay on track, you are creating good time management habits.

Studies show that employees who have a regular exercise routine have an average of 15% more output than those who don’t. They are also more likely to meet deadlines.

If you don’t make time for exercise, you regularly skip meals or eat unhealthy food because it’s convenient, you might notice that you are undisciplined in your work, or undisciplined with your home or undisciplined as a parent.

Good health takes discipline, just like good time management. When you are disciplined in one area of your life, it inevitably carries over into all the other areas of your life, and vice versa.

[Want more on how to manage your time effectively? Check out how to work less and make more right here.]

Now, friend, I’m not saying go crazy. You don’t have to work out for two hours every day, and it’s okay to indulge in that greasy cheeseburger or chocolate cake every once in awhile.

The key is balance. Try adding in 15 minutes of moderate exercise a few times a week. Then increase it to 30 minutes. Then maybe bump up to five days a week. As your body gets stronger, you can increase the intensity of the workouts.

All of the attributes I shared with you today are going to raise your value, meaning your skills are worth more money. Not only that, you will preserve your health so you can live longer!

If you have experienced how good health makes you more valuable at work, head over to Facebook and leave me a comment and tell me about it!

And, this is just ONE insider secret to increase your value in the marketplace. Spend some time going through our website! It’s filled with FREE strategies to increase your value at work and at home, help you pay off debt and increase income AND create more peaceful relationships with the people in your life.