One Simple Movement to Energize Your Day

I was visiting with my parents one weekend over the summer when my mom said something pretty funny to my father. It was early in the morning, and we were all sitting around the breakfast table. The sun was just beginning to rise, spreading golden rays of orange and yellow into the cloudless sky. They were drinking their coffee while I tended to my dog, he’s always had so much energy in the morning.

My father on the other hand said to my mom, “I’m so tired.”

She replied, “Did you not sleep well?”

“I don’t know, I think I slept fine, but I’m just so tired,” he replied.

My mom thought for a moment and then said, “Well, you just woke up, of course you’re tired.”

We all laughed because it made sense, but not complete sense. Sure, when we first wake up we’re groggy and sleepy and it takes some time to get the motor going. But ideally after that initial stage we should feel energized and ready to start the day. And in this case, even while having his first cup of coffee, my dad was still tired. Why didn’t he feel refreshed and ready to take on the morning?

Well, there could be any number of reasons, but instead of trying to figure out why, there is something he, and really anyone, can do to shift from a tired state into a more energized one.  

How? Simple - through movement. Moving the body helps us feel more refreshed and energized. When we don’t move our bodies, we get tired and sluggish. Just like a pond that doesn’t have enough circulation and becomes stagnant, our bodies need movement to allow Qi, our vital force energy to flow. When this happens, we simply feel better.

When should we move?

Easy – whenever you feel like you need a pick me up.

What kind of movement could you do?

You don’t need to do a heavy workout, jog around the block, or even go for a walk (although those are all great options). Instead, you can try this one simple movement that you can do standing by your desk at any time during the day (maybe not right before bed). It’s called, Knocking on the Door of Life. In this exercise, you turn from your hips and waist, letting the arms swing and then knock with your forearms on the belly and low back. The acupressure point on the low back in between your kidneys is the life gate. Knock and see who answers the door! Watch the video below, follow along, and notice how you feel before and then after doing the movement.

If you’d like to learn more and try Qigong exercises to help reduce stress and increase energy, check out this FREE Simple & Easy 10-minute Video Routine. Truly a great addition to your day!

And if you'd like to join an in-person or virtual class, feel free to check out my Upcoming Classes.