Whether you are a morning person or not, your mornings have a big impact on the rest of your day. Starting your day off right can reduce stress, give you an energy boost and generally make your day happier. Today I want to talk about 5 healthy habits that you can incorporate into your morning routine to have a better day.
Let me start off by saying that I am NOT a morning person. I love sleeping in and dislike getting up and I can be a bit cranky in the mornings (just ask my husband). However, I do strive to maintain a certain routine in the morning to make the whole process a bit easier. I find that if I start my day off in a smart way I feel more energized, less stressed and more motivated.
These healthy habits that I am sharing with you today are not rules or the perfect way to go about your mornings. (I WISH I had mornings figured out and knew how to have the perfect morning, believe me!) These are merely suggestions of healthy ideas you can incorporate that will certainly boost the start of your day. I do all these myself on a daily basis (though my Sunday mornings look a bit different) and I find that they have definitely improved my wellbeing. Even if you just incorporate one of these habits into your morning routine it can greatly benefit your day.
1). Hydrate as soon as you get up
During the night our bodies are quite active with different physiological processes happening that we are not even aware of. When we wake up we are thirsty because our body needs to replenish its fluids. Starting your day with a tall glass of water (or maybe even some infused water) helps your body to wake up and also prevents you from over eating during breakfast.
2). Eat a healthy breakfast
You might not be hungry immediately when you wake up in the morning. (I sometimes need an hour or two to feel hungry.) It’s best to wait until your body signals you that its hungry and then eat a nutrient rich breakfast. Spelt bread with mashed avocados, granola with almond milk, half a honeydew melon, or vegan breakfast cookies… are just some of the many delicious breakfasts you can prepare.
3). Meditate
Meditation is incredibly popular right now and for a good reason. It has been proven that regular long-term meditation can help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, slow down the decline of grey matter and improve concentration, only to name a few. Just 10 minutes daily can already make a difference.
4). Check your calendar and write a to do list
Forgetting important tasks adds additional stress to an already busy day. To prevent yourself from forgetting to pay the rent or congratulating a friend to their birthday, simply write a list of things you need to do that day. There is no feeling more satisfying than ticking off the points on your list.
5). Stretch
Ever stood up too quickly in the morning and felt dizzy? Stretching helps with that because it increases blood flow through the entire body. It also helps relieve stiff muscles and thus can prevent pain throughout the day.
Have a great day! XOXO
Perfect timing – I’m reading this on a Sunday night feeling the Sunday blues. Gah I’m not a morning person at all too! Especially Monday mornings. Great tips! Maybe I’ll try them out tomorrow 🙂 Hope you have a lovely week!
Ya Monday mornings are the worst. But they make us appreciate Sunday mornings all the more! 😉 Have a great week too!