The importance of maintaining a healthy morning routine may not be a secret to you, but here at POW8R, we understand that it can be challenging to start.
Starting a healthy morning routine for the first time can be difficult, but the benefits of having one make it well worth the effort.
Here are some of them, along with some morning routine ideas.
The Benefits of Having a Healthy Morning Routine
Here are some benefits if you are looking for motivation to start a healthy morning routine.
- Mental clarity.
- Stress management.
- Productivity.
- Weight loss.
- Eased anxiety.
- Energy boost.
Now you know about some of the benefits of starting a healthy morning routine, here is our guide to having a healthy morning routine.
A Healthy Morning Routine Starts the Night Before
A very important step for maintaining a healthy morning routine is getting into the habit of preparing for it the night before.
Doing this will ensure that you actually complete the tasks that you have set out to do. When you are tired in the morning, it can be tempting to stay in bed, so doing it the night before should help with this.
Some tasks you can prepare for the night before include:
- Sorting your breakfast: If you prepare your breakfast the night before, all you need to worry about in the morning is eating it.
- Water: Never underestimate the benefits of putting a glass of water next to your bed before sleeping.
- Decide your workout: Before bed, pick out the home workout you will complete and get out any equipment you need to do it.
- Pick out your outfit and pack your bag for work so that you will have more time for other tasks in the morning.
Setting aside time in the evening to prepare for the morning will help you maintain a productive morning routine.
Starting Your Morning Off Right.
Now that you know why having a healthy morning routine is essential and how you can make it more sustainable, let’s explore some of the steps you should integrate into your routine.
Wake up Early
We understand how difficult it can be to get out of bed in the morning and how tempting the snooze button can be, but getting up early can be a game changer to your mental and physical health.
If you wake up feeling groggy and unresponsive, it could be because you have overslept or not slept consistently.
Waking up early is great for regulating sleep and even improving the quality of sleep. If you wake up early, you will likely fall asleep earlier, too.
Waking up can also regulate your circadian rhythm, which means it will become much easier for you to do so; it’s all about training your body.
The main benefit of waking up nice and early, is the time that it gives you to have the best morning routine possible, as you don’t have to rush to get ready and can complete your own pace.
Have a Glass of Water
Everybody should integrate having a glass of water as soon as they wake up into their routine.
If you have 8 hours of sleep, it has been eight hours since you hydrated your body. That also means that it has been 8 hours since you have given your organs the valuable fuel that they need to continue functioning.
The biggest mistake people make is having a cup of coffee when they wake up instead of a glass of water, as this can further dehydrate them and cause headaches and migraines.
Other Benefits of Drinking Water in the Morning.
If you want to lose weight, you may be excited to hear that drinking water on an empty stomach can improve your metabolism by up to 25%.
Hydrating early in the day also flushes out the bowels, allowing the intestines to absorb essential and valuable nutrients.
Not only can this help you burn calories faster, but it can also help you feel more energised, making completing your morning tasks much easier.
Eat A Balanced Breakfast
You have likely heard your entire life how important breakfast is, but we get it: sometimes, cooking something in the morning can be a task in itself.
The National Health Institute recognises breakfast as one of the most important meals of the day, so it is essential to include it in your routine.
However unmotivated you may feel about making breakfast, you must know the benefits of a well-balanced breakfast.
Eating a healthy and well-balanced breakfast can help prevent blood glucose fluctuation.
When you eat, your body stores glycogen, and during fasting (like when you sleep), it breaks this down and releases it into your bloodstream, which helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
When you wake up, your glycogen reserves are low, and your body then breaks down any fatty acids to produce the energy you need, which can lower your energy levels.
By eating breakfast, you restore your glycogen levels and increase your energy levels for the day.
Why Eating More Calories Can Actually Lead to Weight Loss
One big reason some people don’t eat breakfast is the additional calories they digest, which they think will cause them to gain weight.
If you have breakfast, you can burn more calories throughout the day due to the additional energy you get, which allows you to be more active.
Eating breakfast can actually help you lose weight. If you are not sure what you should eat in the morning, POW8R has healthy recipe inspiration that can help.
Exercise
If you have ever wondered what the best time of day to work out is, the answer is the morning. Working out in the morning has many benefits, but many people tend to avoid it because it can be time-consuming.
Nobody has the time to head to the gym before going to work.
If you want to save time in the morning but still work out, we suggest following a home workout video, as this doesn’t require as much preparation as a typical workout.
Now that you know how to make morning exercise achievable, here are some other benefits of introducing exercise to your morning routine.
Elevated Metabolism
Working out early in the morning can actually elevate your metabolism. By completing even 30 minutes of exercise early in the morning, you can increase the number of calories you burn throughout the day.
This is great if you have an inactive job, as it can be hard to get in your exercise when you are working. This will increase the calories that you burn through passive exercise.
Improved Mood
Beyond losing weight, one significant benefit of working out in the morning is its ability to positively affect one’s mood.
Having a healthy morning routine shouldn’t just have an impact on your physical health; it should improve your mental health too.
Your brain’s neurotransmitters can improve your mood substantially; they just need a little boost sometimes.
When you exercise, these neurotransmitters are boosted, and endorphins are released. You have likely heard of the ‘runner’s high.’ This refers to the feeling of euphoria that someone experiences after they have completed a workout.
This means that if you exercise early in the morning, these endorphins flood your brain, setting you up for an excellent mood for the rest of the day.
People underestimate the power of a good mood and how it can make completing even the most difficult tasks feel possible. By exercising, you can set yourself up for a successful day.
Assign Some Time to Focus on Mental Health
Starting the day with a positive mindset is critical to having a successful day.
If you are still looking for morning routine ideas, you should consider setting aside ten minutes to focus on your mental health.
Here are some activities that you can include in your morning routine to improve your mental health:
- Meditation: This gives you some time to think about the upcoming day and set some goals for yourself to achieve.
- Journaling: Never underestimate the importance of journaling. Journaling allows you to process your thoughts and feelings and put them down on paper, which will help you better understand your emotions.
- Call a friend: Speaking to a friend early on in the day can substantially boost your mood and release endorphins, which will help you maintain a positive attitude throughout the day.
- Catch up on something you care about. In our busy world, it can be easy to forget about our passions. Indulging in something that you care about before starting work can be a huge mood booster.
Remember, your mental health can significantly impact your physical health, so make sure that you are taking care of it.
Starting Your Day Right With POW8R
Starting your day with healthy habits can transform your health and allow you to tune in with your body’s needs.
Healthy eating, staying hydrated and exercising can substantially improve your physical and mental health.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is essential for having a long and happy life, and developing a healthy morning routine will set you up for success.
At POW8R, we have a health and fitness app that can provide you with the resources you need to start your journey and develop healthy habits.
This app offers access to hundreds of on-demand workouts and one-on-one advice to help you hit your nutrition and health goals.
Check out our membership options to find a plan that works for you.