In a virtual meeting, we need to provide our participants time to move! While in-person, we move around to whiteboards, charts, and all corners of the room to engage and keep focused; however, in virtual meetings, we are all sitting at our computers. The result is we are sleepy, achy, and fatigued.

Giving longer breaks is one way to combat Zoom fatigue, but we can’t take a break every time someone feels antsy.  This is where “Time to Move” comes into play. It’s a simple way to wake people up and add a little fun to your meeting.  Try this quick energizer when you sense the energy is low or build it in every 30-45 minutes.

All you need is a list of quick activities. Feel free to use my suggestions below. You might even let the group make up their own energizer activities.

There are two variations of this energizer:

1. Time To Move (Basic)

1. When you are ready to start this energizer be sure to use high-energy intonation and facial expressions as you excitedly proclaim, “It’s time to move!”
2. Ask someone to choose a number from 1–10 (note: they will not have seen the list of activities, so this is just a random number to them).
3. Look on your list (see an example list below), and tell the group what activity is connected to that number.
4. Ask everyone to turn on their cameras and to jointly participate in the activity. Be sure you are doing it with great enthusiasm. Have a little fun and be willing to be silly which makes it funny.

2. Time to Move (Using an online spinner)

1. When you are ready to start this energizer be sure to use high-energy intonation and facial expressions as you excitedly proclaim, “It’s time to move!”
2. Use an online random spinner and share your screen so they can see and hear it. One resource for a free spinner is Wordwall.
3. Look on your list (see an example list below), and tell the group what activity is connected to that number.
4. Ask everyone to turn on their cameras and to jointly participate in the activity. Be sure you are doing it with great enthusiasm. Have a little fun and be willing to be silly which makes it funny.

Time to Move Activities List Suggestions:

1. Balance on one foot for 30 seconds then switch.
2. Dance like a robot.
3. Do 20 jumping jacks.
4. Stand up and pretend you are being chased by a bear.
5. Stand up and do 30 shoulder rolls.
6. Do 20 pushups against the wall or desk.
7. Twist and stretch.
8. Find something nearby to wear as a hat.
9. Run and Fetch a purple object.
10. Put your hand on your hips and with your right elbow write your name and with your left elbow write your favorite city.

Summary

Time to move is quick, easy virtual team activity that will energize your meetings or training sessions.

About the Author: Leigh Ann Rodgers, Founder of Better Teams and the Forward, community, is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator with 20 years of experience in the human development field. Leigh Ann is a skilled meeting facilitator, trainer, and coach working across the globe to help leaders cultivate teams that are happy and high-performing.

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