3 Gentle Ways to Get Moving When Fatigue Feels Too Big

If you're reading this and nodding along—but still thinking, "How do I even begin?"—I want to share what helped me:

1. Set the Bar Low—On Purpose.

Start with 5 minutes. Not 30. Not 10. Just five.

It could be:

- A few gentle chair stretches

- Rolling your shoulders to music

- Light pedaling on a NuStep (or any seated movement)

The point isn’t intensity—it’s consistency. Tell your brain:

“I’m alive. I’m showing up.”

And do it again tomorrow.

2. Pair Movement with Something You Love.

I stopped forcing myself into silent workouts. Instead, I put on:

- My favorite music

- A calming podcast

- Or just opened the window and listened to the world

Let movement be tied to pleasure, not pressure. It makes the habit sustainable, not just survivable.

3. Track Feelings—Not Just Steps.

After each session, jot down:

- How you felt before

- What you did

- How you felt after

You’ll start to see patterns:

“Wow, I felt better every time I moved.”

And those little victories will rewire how your brain sees movement—not as a chore, but as medicine.

🧠 Why Setting and Achieving Goals Feels So Good

Every time you set a goal—*even a tiny one*—and follow through, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. Think of dopamine like your brain’s way of giving you a high five and saying:

“You did it. That felt good. Let’s do it again.”

Here’s the beauty:

The goal doesn’t have to be big.

Just achievable and consistent.

- ✅ Got out of bed and did 5 minutes of stretching? Dopamine.

- ✅ Went to the gym even though you didn’t feel like it? Dopamine.

- ✅ Checked off “movement” in your tracker? Dopamine.

Over time, this builds momentum, which becomes motivation, which becomes habit—and suddenly, you’re not forcing yourself anymore… you’re rewarding yourself.

BONUS: Give Your Brain a Reason to Cheer

Your brain loves goals—and it loves even more when you complete them.

Start by setting one simple goal each day:

- “Today I’ll stretch for 5 minutes.”

- “Today I’ll put on music and move.”

- “Today I’ll just show up.”

Every time you hit that mark, your brain rewards you with a hit of dopamine—a natural mood booster that says: “Hey, we did something good!”

The key? Make it achievable. Then do it again tomorrow.

Momentum grows where self-doubt used to live.