Healthy Habits to Add to Your Morning Routine

The best way to have a good day is to start the morning off right. Having good routines and habits in the morning plays a huge impact in your mental and physical health. There are so many benefits to developing these morning habits such as boosting energy, loosing weight, better productivity, having a happier attitude, improving your overall health, and so much more. If one or all of these are what you need, then consider taking the time in the morning to do these things.

Now I know what you may be thinking – I have such a busy schedule that I couldn’t possibly fit anything else in, or that it is easier said than done. Now we are not all perfect and that is why we are here, to improve each day. A good start would be to just take 10-15 minutes out of your morning to do one or two of the things I have listed below. Then start to add more things from the list, or even incorporate your own ideas! (And share your ideas with me, because I love to hear what other people come up with as well!)

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Meditate

The word Meditation comes from the Latin word meditatum which means to ponder. When we meditate, our minds are clear and we focus on ourselves, creating a better connection with mind and body. Meditation is an ancient Indian practice that began thousands of years ago and is still common in today’s society. Something that has been around for so long and is still widely practiced today must have some good effect right?

Meditation is simple, you do not have to do anything complex or “voodoo-like”. I like to meditate right when I wake up, before I even get out of bed. This is because my mind is already clear from just waking up and has not had to process much yet. I sit up in my bed, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths in and out. I try to focus on nothing but my own body and mind. Once I have done this for a couple of minutes I already feel refreshed and my energy level has boosted. I am ready to take on the day.

Drink Water

Starting the morning off by drinking at least a glass of water when you wake up is a great way to boost your energy. (Hint: add a squeeze of lemon for many benefits such as: weight loss, healthy skin, and much more) Fun Fact – there was a study done in mice that were fed a high fat diet. One half of the group was given lemon water and showed significantly less weight gain and underlying conditions than the other half.

Drinking about 1 gallon of water every day is vital in keeping your body and skin healthy. I know it can be hard for some of you, as it sometimes is for me. If that is the case, try THIS water bottle to keep track. For those who do not like water – try adding fruits or flavorings to your water. Eating watermelon or oranges is also a good way to hydrate yourself.

Exercise/Stretch

The moment you wake up is when your muscles and joints have been most relaxed. This is what makes morning stretches and exercises very effective. It does not need to take a long time. Even if you have a busy morning schedule, 5-10 minutes can still make a difference. Here are some ideas:

• Yoga – this is my FAVORITE morning exercise! It gives me so much energy. There are lots of great Youtube videos. You can get a good yoga mat here!
• Hamstring Stretch – sit with your legs straight in front of you and reach for your toes. (Hint: try to keep your back as flat as possible)
• Lunges – Try to keep your torso upright to stretch your hips as well.
• Cat/Cow – Get on your hands and knees and arch your back up and down, holding it in each extreme for a moment. This will loosen up your spinal joints.
• Head Circles – move your head around in circles, alternating directions.
• Chest Opener – clasp your hands behind your back and open your chest upwards. This is perfect for the mornings to wake you up.

Don’t Skip Breakfast!

Most people eat dinner around 6pm and go to bed around 9 or 10. They then sleep for about 8 hours, so the majority of us are going about 10 hours or so with no food. Eating breakfast helps to restore a healthy glucose level.

I work in the mornings and love to have something that I can throw together quickly. Protein shakes are a great go-to for that. I love to use this Protein and Greens Shake because it tastes GREAT with cold almond milk (does not have the classic weird protein taste!)

If you are trying to diet or loose weight, I know it may seem like a good idea to skip breakfast to intake fewer calories. However, eating a balanced meal in the morning can trigger our metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day.

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