We’ve talked about burnout, fatigue, and overwork, all things that take a toll on the mind. But how might one increase mental stamina, counteracting this effect? When all of our efforts to be efficient time managers is overcome by a long workday, we will need that extra bandwidth for optimum focus and performance. If our physical fitness is lacking our mental fitness will also. Intellectual execution tends to be a priority for most creative professionals and in realizing that desire, one would do well to embrace the well being of their physical body. After all, it is what houses your most prized possession — your brain. Let’s look at some ways this relationship manifests within us.
When Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was a small boy, he suffered from incessant asthma. He was extremely small, and often sickly. The young boy developed an intense love of reading and natural history and soon became a recognized intellectual amongst his family and friends. But, his diligent reading was often halted by intense bouts of asthmatic disruption. The boy would have to sit up during the night for a decent sleep and despite his love of outdoor activity, it did not seem that he was getting any better.
...you have the mind but you have not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. You must make your body.
One day, as Roosevelt approached his thirteenth birthday, his father came to him after receiving a negative report from the family physician and said, “...you have the mind but you have not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. You must make your body. It is hard drudgery to make one’s body, but I know you will do it.” The young Roosevelt embraced his father’s decree. From that moment on, he would embrace the strenuous life, in all of his free time, the boy began to “make his body,” diligently exercising in the home gym.
The future president grew older and stronger but still looked boyish in appearance. One of his Harvard colleagues, Richard Welling, described his first impression of Roosevelt as “a youth in the kindergarten stage of development.” But, one winter night the two went skating and the classmate quickly changed his mind about Theodore. According to Welling, the winds were so furious and the ice so rough that “when any sane man would have voted to go home,” Roosevelt was exclaiming how wonderful a time he was having. It wasn’t until after three hours of punishment that Roosevelt was finally ready to leave, but only because it was “getting dark.”
“I recall my numbed fingers grasping the key to my room and unable to make a turn in the lock. That afternoon of so-called sport made me realize Roosevelt’s amazing vitality,” Welling reminisced. The sickly child had become a formidable young man, but he still had work to do. In 1880, the year of his graduation, Roosevelt underwent a full physical examination and was told that his heart was at risk, he would have to choose a “sedentary occupation” and take it easy or else he would not live long. “Doctor, I’m going to do all the things you tell me not to do. If I’ve got to live the sort of life you have described, I don’t care how short it is,” he replied.
Theodore Roosevelt went on to become the 26th President of the United States. He was a prolific writer, naturalist, and leader of the famous Rough Riders. His physical and mental prowess was unmatched and even in his mid-fifties, the renowned politician embarked on a two-year expedition through the Amazon Basin, a feat few could have achieved. Eventually, Roosevelt died from lung issues, but, at the age of 60, he lived a life, more far-reaching than his old college physician, and most people for that matter, could have imagined.
In a Scientific American article entitled, How Does Exercise Benefit Cognition, University of Minnesota Professor David R. Jacobs and researcher Na Zhu, talk about the inseparable similarities between the mind and the body. “First, to maintain normal cognitive function, the brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and other chemicals, delivered via its abundant blood vessels. Physical exercise...helps to circulate nutrient-rich blood efficiently throughout the body and keeps the blood vessels healthy,” they write. On a fundamental level, we need to ensure that we’re getting enough air, which can be achieved through regular aerobic activities such as jogging, walking, cycling, and many sports.
We found that physical activity has an extensive, long-lasting influence on cognitive performance
“We found that physical activity has an extensive, long-lasting influence on cognitive performance,” the two expressed. While aerobic exercise enables the brain to access more oxygen, anaerobic exercise, like weight lifting also appears to produce positive effects on the body. In the end, it is consistency that develops lasting influence. Our physical fitness is an essential component of dexterous brain performance, chronic exercise can provide this for the diligent individual.
The current World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen, is well known for his relentless endurance on the chessboard. He tends to choose complex variations that force his older opponents to concentrate deeply over long stretches of time. Sure, this is a normal part of chess competition, but after, say, six hours of complex analysis and problem-solving, intense fatigue begins to set in. “Carlsen is successful because of his physical condition and his ability to avoid psychological lapses, which enable him to maintain a high standard of play over long games when the energy levels of others drop,” said grandmaster and former World Chess Champion, Vladimir Kramnik.
Carlsen is successful because of his physical condition and his ability to avoid psychological lapses
Carlsen trains with Lithuania-based chess coach, Peter Heine Nielsen. “My goal is to get Magnus in the best mental and physical state possible leading up to big tournaments,” the coach said. He continued to stress, in a Wall Street Journal interview that diet, rest, and exercise are a big part of this goal in addition to ensuring that Carlsen is having fun in order to keep the pressure off. His physical prowess is an essential component in his overall winning strategy, even if his sport of choice is (seemingly) entirely mental.
In past articles we have explored the intricacies of overwork, looking at burnout, fatigue, and the need to psychologically detach from our workplace throughout the day. These all give us insights into addressing the pressures prevalent in architecture, and have served as an informative and preventative insight.
But, if optimum intellectual execution is the focus, then the physical fitness of the anatomy that holds the brain is crucial for our idealized performance. Whether a brisk walk or an intense circuit, prioritizing the physical well being of our mind and body can only produce positive results in our professional lives, and even more importantly, our personal lives. Architecture requires profound mental concentration, fluidity, and focus. Let’s maintain our brains and take control of our health, introducing exercise that can propel us forward in our intellectual endeavors.
Whether a future president, a chess master, or an architect, viewing ourselves as holistic beings, consisting of a mind and body, will aid us in making decisions that can equip us in achieving that which we strive to realize.
Sean Joyner is a writer and essayist based in Los Angeles. His work explores themes spanning architecture, culture, and everyday life. Sean's essays and articles have been featured in The Architect's Newspaper, ARCHITECT Magazine, Dwell Magazine, and Archinect. He also works as an ...
10 Comments
Jiu-Jitsu
I love Jiu-Jitsu, but grappling is definitely a weak area for me fighting wise.
I get up @ 0500 and run, I run 35 miles a week, and workout at 24hr fitness - that's necessary to keep up with my co-workers 1/2 my age
Wow, 35 miles a week?! That's excellent. I'm only hitting about 6 miles (3 days of a 2-mile walk). But I do weight training 3 times a week. After doing this research though I want to incorporate more cardio myself. Well done!
I have been doing regular cardio for a few years...been training in mixed martial arts since I was 7. Recently started weight training again after not doing any for a decade due to an injury...it’s made me feel 100x better. Sitting at a desk all day/night does damage to your back. Weights have mostly reversed the back and neck pain I was getting. Aside from the mental clarity that exercise gives...not having the distraction of constant discomfort while working has really helped my productivity.
I totally feel you on the all-day sitting thing, it's punishing. It's great to hear the strength training has helped the back issues. I have to constantly remind myself not to hunch over all day. How do you find your weight training pairing with your martial arts? In the past, the soreness from weights sometimes impacted my training when sparring...but I haven't done fighting for almost over a year now...
In my old martial arts school we were always told that if you can’t do 30 reps you are lifting too much. Bulking up was discouraged because it slows you down. Especially for boxing and kick boxing...not an issue for grappling so much. I used to train 4-5 days a week in martial arts...now I usually only do 1 day a week because of time constraints. Feeling good and being healthy is more important to me now than being a good fighter. I now try to lift heavier weights and less reps. 8-10 before I can’t go further. Not sure if it’s my imagination, but since I’ve bulked up a little, especially in my shoulder and upper back area, I feel more spine support. It’s easier to sit and work without the constant pain. I’ve also found that cbd seems to help a little with inflammation. Sitting for long periods is terrible for health. Especially women because they are more prone to blood clots in the legs. I’ve tried to make an effort to take breaks to stand up and walk around here and there. I’m considering one of those desks that can raise to standing
height.
Very interesting. I guess it makes sense that they didn't want you doing heavy weight (sacrificing speed) but 30 reps seem like a lot. I've built up more size as well, but nothing crazy. I think you'll definitely dig the sit/stand desk, it makes a huge difference for me at least. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Sean! I've been trying to reserve my lunch hour ever day to run or lift weights. The break in the day and the time outside have been really great for my mental clarity and focus. I also have a table top standing desk which has been nice too. In our upcoming office remodel we'll have new desks where the whole desk surface raises which will be great. Of course chasing my kiddos at the park is a big part of my exercise routine : )
thanks for sharing Andrew! I think it would be great to have a work out in the middle of the day but I feel like I'd need at least an hour and a half if I wanted to shower before coming back to work. Sometimes it gets tough trying to go before or after work but I make it a priority. Yes! I'm sure playing with the little ones adds to the cardio indeed!
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