Work can be extremely depleting and exhausting. Long hours in front of the computer can lead to postural misalignment or mental exhaustion. For care professionals such as therapists, work can be extremely emotionally draining. And laborers can experience physical depletion from using their bodies for long periods of time.
Fortunately, you can use the principles of Qi Gong to elevate your energy in the workplace, allowing you to be more focused and energized. Unlike caffeine or energy drinks, the energy-boosting effects of Qi Gong are completely natural and don’t have any negative side effects.
Although the tips below are geared toward boosting your energy at work, they apply to anyone who wants to experience more energy and vitality in everyday life. Here are several great ways to elevate your energy so you can enjoy your days more fully.
How you start your morning greatly impacts the rest of your day. If you wake up and immediately engage your sympathetic nervous system (stress response), that energy will carry with you into the rest of your day. Over the next several hours, stress can build, depleting your energy. Stress consumes a lot of energy, so it’s important to keep it at bay so you can maintain healthy energy levels throughout your day.
On the other hand, if you start your day by minimizing stress and getting centered and grounded, you’ll be more focused and energized.
Qi Gong is a wonderful practice that helps you activate your energy and minimize stress. It awakens your Qi so you can feel alert and focused, yet calm and centered. This provides the perfect foundation to stay directed and even-keeled at work and in all aspects of life.
You don’t need to do a long Qi Gong practice in the morning to start your day on the right foot. Just seven to ten minutes is enough to boost your energy and reset your nervous system, preparing you for a great day ahead.
Even with a strong morning routine, you’ll likely encounter challenges that can deplete your energy. Difficult conversations, worries about the future, and rushing to meet deadlines can all lead to tension in your body. Often, this tension is left in your neck and shoulders, which can sometimes lead to headaches.
Being tense takes up a lot of energy and can cause issues with your physical posture, resulting in pain or discomfort. Therefore, pay attention to how you feel and notice when you feel tense or anxious. By being mindful of your internal energy, you can take control when things start to fall out of alignment.
Moving your body is an excellent way to release stagnant energy and activate your Qi. If you have a job requiring you to sit in a chair or look at your computer, be sure to take frequent work breaks to circulate your energy.
Taking a walk outside is one way to move your body, allowing you to enjoy some fresh air. As you walk, focus your attention on your surroundings—the sky above you, the trees or flowers around you, and the ground beneath your feet. Bringing your mind into the present moment allows you to let go of tension and take in the energy of the natural world.
Another wonderful way to move your body is to do some Qi Gong. Even just one or two Qi Gong exercises can have a profound effect on how you feel when you’re working. Here are three simple yet energizing exercises that can boost energy during your work day. You don’t need to do all three of these to feel the energizing effect. Just choose whichever exercise feels best for you.
Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands relaxed by your sides. Then, bounce gently on your toes and let your entire body shake. Try to exaggerate the shaking movement throughout your body. This will activate your internal energy and invigorate your Qi.
As you shake, take slow, deep breaths. On your exhale, open your mouth and do a long, audible exhalation. This will help you release any stress or stagnation you might be holding, allowing your energy to flow more freely. It’s best to do this shaking exercise for at least thirtyseconds, although you can do it for however long you want.
Stand in a relaxed position with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Then, rotate your upper body with your arms relaxed so they swing gently. One hand should tap on your lower back, and the other should tap on your navel.
Keep rotating your body back and forth as your hands continue to swing and knock on those two points. This will activate the energy in your Lower Tan Tien, which is the energy center in your lower abdomen. Do this exercise for a minute or two.
After doing Knocking on the Door of Life, bring your body to stillness. Then, tap gently on your chest with light, loose fists. After a few seconds, use one hand to tap lightly along your opposite arm. Tap down the inside of your arm and then up the outside of your arm. Do this three times and then switch sides.
After you’ve tapped down and up each arm, do the same thing with your legs with both hands. Tap down the outside of your legs and then up the inside of your legs. Do that three times, and then bring your hands to your belly. Take a few deep breaths, and go about the rest of your day. You’ll feel more energized and relaxed as you continue working.
The way you spend your evening has a dramatic impact on how you feel the next day. If you take stress and anxiety to bed, you won’t sleep as well and won’t be fully rested the following day.
After your work day, spend some time releasing any stress or tension that may have built up during your work day. Going on a walk in nature, spending time with loved ones, or reading a good book are great ways to decompress. And, of course, you can always do some more Qi Gong to cultivate peace and relaxation.
If you’re interested in learning brief Qi Gong routines you can do throughout the day, be sure to check out our Thirty-Day Challenge.
Our Thirty-Day Challenge offers thirty unique Qi Gong routines that you can do at home, at work, or whenever you want a quick boost of energy. Because each routine is just seven minutes long, it’s easy to find time to practice no matter how busy you are.
When you do the right practices, it only takes seven minutes to completely transform your energy system. Click on the banner below to discover how Qi Gong can help you feel more alive and energized each and every day.
