We’ve all been there: the alarm is going off but you can’t stop hitting the snooze button, and suddenly you’re rushing around to start your day in a way that is anything but peaceful. If a calm, slow morning feels out of reach, think again! These quick morning habits will help you keep stress at bay and feel focused as your day begins. Remember, you don’t have to completely overhaul your morning routine in just a few days. In fact, you probably won’t, and that’s ok! Try to incorporate one of the following rituals in your daily routine and feel the difference. Add more as your mornings feel better and better.
Hydrate and Stretch
Rise and shine! A glass or two of water right when you wake up sets the tone for a hydrated day and will help your body wake up. Proper hydration is essential to overall wellness. Pull back the curtains, let the sunlight and fresh air in, take a deep breath, and get moving. Stretching helps to release tension while it balances and energizes your body and mind. It’s an awesome way to start your day!
We love this simple yoga routine with Domenic – it’s easy to start and follow since it’s just 15 minutes long, and you don’t need anything but a mat! Release tension in your muscles, warm up all the joints for the day’s activities and extend your spine. Respect your body and its needs – it makes a substantial positive impact on your health, and you’ll also feel energized all day long.
Get sweaty
If you’re a morning-alarm-snoozer, you’re probably not quite ready to bounce out of bed and into an intense 50-minute workout. Meet our Mini Burns – 5-minute workouts suited for all fitness levels and perfect for those cultivating a new morning fitness routine. These are some quick moves to tone your body, get your heart rate up, and make you feel awake all at once. From kickboxing to dance-inspired moves, or even a full-body express workout, you can choose whatever floats your boat and get a little cardio burst every day. Don’t get us wrong: these videos may be short, but you’ll still feel the burn and get sweaty, so you’ll need to hop in the shower.
This one might seem wacky at first but hear us out: a contrast shower (alternating between hot and cold water) is a form of hydrotherapy that can really feel great! If you tend to oversleep or wake up feeling groggy, hopping in the shower and switching water temperatures should give you an immediate energy boost.
Connect with your family, including the furry members!
Before diving right into the business of your day, make the most of your time with your loved ones:
- Try setting a rule with your family that you’ll have breakfast together with no phones or other screens allowed.
- Start a “Morning Meme” tradition and send them back and forth with a friend to start your day with a good laugh.
- Go on a “Walk Streak:” How many days in a row can you take your dog on a 15-minute walk?
- Treat yourself to fifteen minutes of reading before getting out of bed.
You might have to set your alarm a little earlier to build these habits, but it’s worth it for a calm and unhurried start to your day!
If you’re a new parent, you can connect with your baby in a very special way by sharing your yoga practice with them! Postnatal yoga not only gently helps you get back into a movement routine, but simultaneously entertains your baby and strengthens your special bond. This workout isn’t just for parents; older siblings and grandparents can get in on the fun, too!
Strike a (yoga) pose
Yoga is so much more than basic stretching, and you don’t have to be flexible to start today! It’s a great way to cultivate feelings of gratitude and inner peace, and its benefits will impact your whole day.
If you’re a newbie and don’t understand the fuss or know where to start, we’ve got you. Try this easy flow with Ariel and greet the day with sun salutations (Surya Namaskars), set your goals, and stay calm before facing the challenges of the day. The gentle pace of this workout is perfect for beginners or those still waking up, and you can fit it into your day even when you don’t have a lot of time. The benefits are enormous – sun salutations tone the whole body, improve blood circulation, and help with mental clarity. Namaste!
Walk it out
The way you start your day sets up the rest of your day. Especially if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and feeling grouchy, get moving! A guided steady-state walk is a perfect way to build endurance and kick off your metabolism.
Just 15 minutes is enough, so get out the door and go! You could listen to some calming music or a podcast, give yourself a pep talk, or repeat some affirmations in your head. Start your day with positive energy – you got this!
Good morning!
Of course, these practices won’t necessarily make you an instant morning person, What they will do, though, is lift your mood and help you start your day from a peaceful and calm state of mind. Give yourself some time to build new habits, and you’ll be amazed by the outcome.
Post Photos: Pexels | Woman Stretching (Andrea Piacquadio) | Woman Stretching On Ground (Jonathan Borba) | Family Yoga (Ketut Subiyanto) | Yoga (Elly Fairytale) | Man Walking (Mental Health America)