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"Disconnecting in the digital age seems like a virtue and a sin. The reality is, it's hard to unplug. So much of daily life, particularly work, is tied to the web. \nBut temporarily disconnecting can actually help us be better on the job. And one of the best ways to do it is by hitting the gym. As it turns out, there are actual business perks to working up a sweat. Below are five that will get you pumped up.\n\nSEE ALSO: 13 Ways to Get in Shape With Digital Fitness Tools\n 1. Focus\nWe live in a world where every two days we generate  as much information as we did up to 2003. With that constant influx of data, it's easy to become distracted. One second you're checking your e-mail.  The next second, you're texting someone back. Then you have instant messages to read. Oh, and what about getting in some Pinterest and Facebook before you go to lunch?  \nThe bottom line is, in this age, we need to learn to focus better. Working out teaches us to focus on one main goal: completing a work out. Focusing at the gym will allow you to carry that behavior over to your work. You'll realize how much more productive you can be when you truly lock in and do one thing at a time. \n 2. New Ideas\nWorking out not only allows you to focus and think of different ways to solve current problems, but it also creates room to come up with new ideas. Take advantage of the clarity you can only get while you're in the zone. Who knows? You might come up with your next big idea.\n 3. Confidence\nYou already know that working out helps people look great. The added benefit of looking great is confidence. And confidence will lead you to:\n\nClose more deals: When you're confident, you get the feeling you can accomplish anything you want. It's going to become tougher for you to accept no for an answer.  In fact, each \"no\" might inspire you to push harder.\nMeet new people : Confidence will also help you realize that there isn't a reason to be shy, and that it's more beneficial to you to build as many quality relationships as you can.\nSpeak more confidently: Talking confidently goes a long way in the business world. People want to talk to someone who's sure of themselves.\n\n 4. Discipline\nThe first step to being successful is starting. The second step is discipline. If you've had trouble committing to any project for an extended period of time, try working out. Developing a habit of consistently working out will make it easier for you to apply the same dogged discipline to other aspects of your life, including business.\n 5. Stress Relief\nStress saps your energy and decreases your productivity. If you're stressing, then your anxiety levels are probably high. There's a good chance you're brooding about things so you aren't fun to be around either. A great way to blow off this steam is to channel those feelings into your work out. You'll clear your mind, and you'll feel better. That will make your work life a lot easier to address.\nImage courtesy of iStockphoto, svariophoto"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/04/11/business-benefits-working-out/>