October 9, 2025, 12:53 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Anyone who exercises regularly knows the feeling: After a workout, your mind is clear and your body is relaxed. Yet, in daily life, it’s often hard to schedule exercise amid appointments, obligations, and a lack of motivation. But that’s exactly why it’s so important: Exercise not only strengthens the body but also boosts mental health. During Mental Health Awareness Week at Axel Springer, four staff members participated in a panel talk moderated by Ines Kaufmann, Senior Manager of Benefits & Health at Axel Springer, discussing how they incorporate exercise into their lives and why they see it as more than just training. On the panel, Melanie Hoffmann (editor-in-chief of FITBOOK), Nuno Alves (editor-in-chief of BOOK family), Michael Ludwig-Buß (BILD Finance), and Kilian Gaffrey (BILD Sport) shared their personal approaches to combining exercise and mental health in a busy professional and personal life. Their shared conclusion: Exercise is more than movement. It is mental care.
Exercise as Mental Support
Exercise benefits not only the body but also the mind. This is especially noticeable when it’s missing from daily life. Michael Ludwig-Buß from BILD Finance shares that after a bicycle accident, he missed his usual balance: “I realized how much exercise helps me cope with everyday life.” Nuno Alves, editor-in-chief of the BOOKs family, also sees exercise as an integral part of his mental health. Especially during stressful times, exercise is a way for him to clear his mind.
Melanie Hoffmann, editor-in-chief of FITBOOK, also observes how even small routines positively impact other areas of life: “Even if the routine consists of just ten minutes of training daily, it immediately improves balanced nutrition and restful sleep.” Those who train regularly—no matter how briefly—quickly notice how much exercise can contribute to inner balance.
Everyday Life as an Obstacle–and How to Overcome It
Between work, family, and appointments, there’s often little room for exercise. But those who integrate exercise into their daily routine benefit in the long run, both physically and mentally. Kilian Gaffrey from BILD Sport sums it up: “Exercise should be like brushing your teeth.” Michael Ludwig-Buß from BILD Finance uses fringe times, getting up at five a.m. to hit the gym before work. Nuno Alves also relies on fixed routines: “Nothing happens between eight and seven,” he says. “In the morning, I’m most in control of my senses and decisions.”
Small routines can help make exercise a natural part of life: packing your gym bag the night before, blocking fixed times in your calendar, or actively using your commute. Viewing exercise not as an obligation but as part of daily life keeps you motivated and benefits you mentally.
Also interesting: The Concept Behind the Fitness Trend “Microdosing”
Longevity–From Myths to Science to Everyday Life
A Trick and a Method to Finally Become More Athletic
Motivation & Mindset
Staying committed is often the biggest challenge. To integrate exercise into daily life long-term, you need structure and the right mindset. Nuno Alves works with the so-called WOOP principle (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan). It’s about setting a goal, recognizing potential obstacles early, and establishing concrete steps. “I don’t look for excuses, but for reasons to exercise,” he says.
Melanie Hoffmann also emphasizes the importance of listening to yourself. After a break, she only found joy in exercise again when she removed the pressure and started small, with short stretching sessions or mini-workouts she found on YouTube. For her, what feels good matters, not just what the training plan dictates. Michael Ludwig-Buß also sees exercise less as self-optimization and more as part of conscious self-care and as a role model for his children. Viewing exercise not as an obligation but as mental hygiene keeps you motivated.
Exercise Hacks for the Office
Even in the workday, more exercise can be incorporated than you might think. Michael Ludwig-Buß relies on simple routines: He often works standing at his adjustable desk and opts for fresh fruit over sweet snacks. Melanie Hoffmann takes the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible and uses breaks on home office days for 20-minute strength workouts. Kilian Gaffrey uses breaks to get some fresh air and recommends using the commute for exercise (walking, cycling). Sometimes he even uses the pull-up bar in the office for a mini-workout in between. Nuno Alves suggests occasionally moving meetings outside or simply standing up regularly to get the circulation going.
The panel participants’ tips may sound simple, but they have a significant impact. They know: Those open to change will find countless ways to increase their step count and daily physical activity.