Master Your Morning Wake-Up Routine
March 31, 2023 | Health
The morning. The time of day that many tell you to seize while your body tells you to snooze. You have morning people, and you have ‘not-morning’ people. Whichever of the two describes you, I think we can all agree that mornings set the tone for the rest of your day.
Which is why creating a healthy and positive morning routine can make a huge difference in your overall well-being. Whatever time you wake up, starting your day with a positive mindset and a healthy routine can help you feel more energized, productive, and ready to take on whatever the day decides to throw at you. In this short article, we’ll uncover some of the best morning routines that can help you start your day on the right foot.
Wake Up Just a Little Bit Earlier
We’ve all experienced snoozing the alarm for an extra 2 – 15 minutes only to then fly out of bed and rush, for what feels like, the rest of the day. A whole day of playing catch-up for the sake of an extra few minutes in bed; is it really worth it? Instead, try setting your alarm 15-minutes earlier than usual, allow yourself that time to snooze, and then get up and at ‘em. You’ll feel ahead of yourself for the rest of the day, and probably won’t even notice the difference in wake-up time.
Hydrate
Think about it, after (hopefully) 8 hours of restful slumber, your body is going to be a little low on water reserves! And although coffee may seem like the best (and most delicious) option, it doesn’t hurt to get a full glass of fresh water first. In fact, drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning is a great way to help flush out toxins, aid in digestion, and boost your overall energy levels. Water first for the thirst!
Stretch or Exercise for Early Wins
Stretching or exercising in the morning can help wake up your muscles while improving overall blood circulation. This has been shown to increase energy levels and reduce overall stress; making it a great way to start your day. You don’t need to do anything strenuous – just a few minutes of stretching or a light yoga routine can make a huge difference.
We’ll include some light stretching and exercise routines below to get you started!
Lower Body Metabolism Activate Routine
Upper Body Metabolism Activate Routine
Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
Everyone’s heard the expression ‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’; and quite rightly so! After a long stint of no food (otherwise known as a ‘fast’), it’s important to refuel with the right nutrition that your body needs (‘breaking the fast’ – see where the word comes from?).
Not only are you refueling, but you’re also preparing for the long day ahead, which is why this meal has the famous expression mentioned above.
Aim for a balanced breakfast that includes a combination of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Some great examples can be found here:
🍅 Hearty Black Bean Breakfast Omelet
🍌 Banana, Strawberry Special Smoothie
🍫 Surprise Classic Peanut Butter and Banana on Toast
🍓 Citrusy Raspberry Overnight Oats
Build an Action Plan
There’s no harm in taking a few minutes in the morning to plan out the rest of your day. This simple, 5-minute hack that can help you feel more organized and in full control of the tasks at hand. Start out with a day’s to-do list, then prioritize tasks that absolutely must get done.
The result? You’ll be more productive throughout the day, without as much stress – it’ll only take 5 minutes!
Avoid the Screen Time
Unless it’s urgent, it can probably wait. Checking your phone first thing in the morning can be a major distraction that can lead to a more stressful day. Instead, try to avoid checking your phone until after you’ve completed your morning routine. This will help you remain focused and avoid getting sidetracked by emails, notifications, or social media.
A great hack is to sleep with your phone outside the bedroom – this will help reduce that, almost unnecessary, pre-sleep and early-morning scrolling.
Creating a healthy morning routine can help set you up for success throughout the day. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to morning routines, instead, aim to find what works best for you and then stick with it. Whether it be by waking up earlier, exercising, practicing mindfulness, or a combination of all; incorporating positive habits into your morning routine can make a big difference in your overall well-being.
Start small, and over time, you’ll find that these habits become second nature, helping you feel more energized, productive, and ready to take on whatever the day has in store.