7 Healthy Morning Habits to Improve Your Day
If you are rushing around like a headless chicken first thing in the morning, your cortisol and stress levels will be almost at maximum before the day has really begun. High levels of stress and adrenaline will leave you feeling depleted later in the day.
The decisions you make in the morning will set you up for the day ahead. Making healthy and productive decisions will stand you in good stead for the day ahead, leaving you with a more positive and brighter outlook.
1. Take some exercise
This needn’t be a long hard slog on the treadmill at 5am; it simply means fitting it what you can. This could mean getting off the bus a stop early and power walking the last part of your journey. Exercise has proven to promote wakefulness and boost concentration more effectively than caffeine. Ditch the coffee and grab your trainers for a healthy, wakeful habit.
2. Focus on your breathing
Practicing calming breathing techniques will help to massage the vagus nerve, proven to have a calming effect.
Click here for NHS instructions on breathing exercise for stress.
3. Meditation
This is another healthy habit that could seem unfeasible, but it needn’t take up a large chunk of your time – it’s all about finding a way to fit things into your current lifestyle as sustainability is key. Try downloading Headspace to kick-start your meditation journey. If you don’t have time to sit and focus solely on doing it, have it on in the background whilst you get ready for the day or on your morning commute.
4. Drink a glass of water
10% of people who claim they are tired, are actually dehydrated. Making drinking a glass of water one of the first things you do in the morning.
5. Complete 10 reps of any exercise
This is as simple as it sounds. 10 push ups, 10 sit ups, 10 lunges, whatever takes your fancy. Make it one of the first things you do in the morning, because although how minor and how little time this will take, it is an accomplishment that you can tick off your list within 30 seconds which will set you onto a positive road for the day ahead.
6. Eat a protein rich breakfast
A meal high in protein will help to boost your energy, minimise cravings and leave you feeling satisfied for hours. Studies have also shown that a high protein diet can help to maintain a steady blood sugar level, supplying you with energy and productivity throughout the morning. For a healthy protein boost choose foods such as eggs, Greek yoghurt and smoked salmon. We have lots of delicious breakfast and brunch recipes for you to check out.
7. Have a cool shower
Reducing the temperature in the shower even slightly has been shown to have a mood boosting effect. Turn that dial down a notch to give your mind a refresh for the day ahead.
