Now that you've hydrated and fed your body, it's time to get it moving! The body replenishes its qi and blood through the night, so the morning is the perfect time to work out to get that qi and blood circulating. A lot of people think a workout always needs to be in a gym or last a certain amount of time or be at a certain intensity, but that's not true at all. The idea is to do something active to wake the body up. That can be something gentle like walking or yoga, or you can do a more intense exercise if that feels right to you. Just don't set huge lofty goals - like running 5 miles a day when you've never run more than 1 before - because they can set you up for failure if you feel bad about yourself for not attaining them. Start small and work your way up, and don't beat yourself up if you miss a day. Look at what caused you to miss - not setting an alarm, not having your gym clothes ready, etc. - and fix the problem so you can do better next time!
In both Chinese and Western medicine, exercise can help your mood, sleep, energy, digestion, and more, so start working out in the mornings to begin your day at your best.
Kathleen Ellerie is a Licensed Acupuncturist and the owner of Beachside Community Acupuncture. She loves providing affordable acupuncture to the residents of Addison, Dallas, and Farmers Branch, Texas, and educating the general public on how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat everything from pain to infertility to stress and beyond. Click "Book Now" at the top of this page to book an appointment or feel free to contact her at (214) 417-2260.
