The start of a new day can be exciting, especially if you have an action-packed schedule to look forward to.
If you’re looking to meet the day with more, there are plenty of easy ways to set yourself up for success in the mornings. Research has shown that adopting a morning routine can boost productivity and focus, reduce stress and anxiety and supercharge your mood.
But it doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your life completely. Just a few small changes can result in big benefits.
Here are six ways to lay the groundwork for a more fulfilling day.
Ditch the snooze button. Stealing a few extra minutes of sleep when you’re cozy in bed is a tempting idea, but it can do more harm than good. Dozing off after hitting the snooze button can leave you feeling tired and groggy, especially if you drift into REM sleep and are jolted out of it by the follow-up alarm. It can interfere with your overall sleep cycle, too.
Let the light in. Some people love wake-up lights that mimic sunrise, so they wake up more naturally. These can be great tools to simulate a natural sunrise, especially during the winter season. If you don’t have one of those and are waking up during sunlight hours, just throw open your curtains and greet the day. Seeing light in the morning tells your body it’s time to get up and can help you feel more alert.
Take your vitamins. Many individuals, even nutritionists, find it hard to eat a balanced diet every day given how busy our lifestyles are. A good vitamin and supplement routine can be key to getting the nutrients you need. There are a lot of choices in the vitamin aisle!
To help people elevate their morning routine without added sugar, look for a sugar-free alternative that tastes great and offers the same nutrient support as a regular vitamin.
Hydrate. Drinking water soon after you wake up hydrates you after a long night and can increase your energy levels. It is also helpful in boosting mental performance.
Eat a healthy breakfast. According to research from Henry Ford Health, among numerous other studies, eating a high-protein breakfast helps you feel full throughout the day and, even more than that, it helps control your blood sugar. According to this research, after eating protein for breakfast, your blood sugar remains low for hours. But if you start the day with refined carbs, like grabbing a pastry on the way out the door, your blood sugar spikes and then crashes, which can make you feel tired and hungry. Great choices: Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, a smoothie with protein powder, or a breakfast burrito with eggs and black beans.
Move a little. This doesn’t mean you have to take a spin class or run a marathon. Ten minutes of stretching, some light yoga or tai chi, or walking the dog will energize you, get your blood moving, and make you feel more alert, awake and ready to take on the day.
Instead of a mad dash out of the house, mornings can be a time where you practice self-care, setting yourself up to tackle whatever the rest of your day holds. By creating a positive, uplifting morning routine, your whole day will fall into place.
By: Brandpoint
