Can Exercise Help You Become a Better Trader?

Pressmaster / Envato Elements

Over the years, we’ve had the chance to meet thousands of traders from around the world- many of whom are full-time traders who make a career in FX trading. While these traders are all passionate about Forex and can talk for hours about their latest automated strategies, new technical indicators, or charting patterns they’ve developed, there’s one topic that almost never comes up health and fitness.

Now you may wonder what health and fitness have to do with trading? There’s a reason that fitness and lifestyle have overtaken money (the reason most people trade) as the number one important factor in people’s lives. Our current generation has become more exposed and educated than ever before on nutrition, health, travel, and experiences. There is an abundance of articles, blogs, and websites dedicated to both fitness and trading, yet I’ve never seen any mention of the importance of being physically fit as a trader.

Let’s admit it, trading full-time is a stressful job. You’re awake at all hours of the day, staring at your phone or computer screens, and often sleep-deprived thinking of your open positions. Keep this up over a long period of time and you will see it take a toll on your health. Weight gain, high blood pressure, and insomnia could be some of the physical effects of trading, not to mention putting a strain on your relationships with friends and family.

A regular exercise schedule will alleviate these strains and have immense physical and mental benefits. Studies show that regular physical activity will lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce your chance of a heart attack, build stronger bones, muscles, and joints, and improve sleep. Not to mention that when you’re focused on your workout and building up a sweat, you won’t have time to stress about your trades. This gives you a much-needed break in the day away from thinking about trading.

Getting started is the hardest part. But whether you go to the gym, go on a hike or participate in a group class, just choose something and do it. You’re a full-time trader and it has been a difficult journey to get to where you are today. Remember how hard it was when you first started trading and apply that effort into something that will benefit you both physically, mentally, and even profitably.

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