Your Bounce Isn’t Gone

Remember when getting up and moving didn’t require quite so much discussion with yourself?

You just moved.

Somewhere along the way, a lot of us start doing less of it. We sit more. Drive more. Watch more. Work at computers more.

Then when the body starts feeling stiff and sluggish, we blame age.

I’m not convinced age deserves all the credit it gets.

I’ve watched too many people start moving again and discover that their body was considerably more capable than they thought.

And it doesn’t always take much.

Put on a song you love and move around the kitchen.

Stretch when you get up from the couch.

Take a five-minute walk.

Roll your shoulders. Move your hips. Take a few good breaths.

Get down on the floor and see what happens.

Movement has a funny way of creating more movement.

That’s something I’ve noticed in myself and in our students for years.

You can feel tired and stiff and think, I really don’t feel like moving today.

Then you start.

Ten minutes later you’re warmer. Things are moving easier. Your energy feels different.

Not always. Bodies have bad days too.

But often enough that I’ve learned not to wait until I feel energetic before I move.

Sometimes moving is what brings the energy.

And please don’t turn this into another exercise program.

You don’t need matching clothes.

You don’t need a smartwatch congratulating you.

You don’t even need to call it exercise.

Just give your body something to do.

A little today.

A little tomorrow.

Keep reminding it that you’re still using the thing.

Your bounce may not be gone at all.

It might just be a little rusty.