If you have more time in the morning, try doing some morning yoga. Yoga will stretch your body, increase blood flow, and help you build strength.
Get a workout DVD that you can do right in your living room first thing in the morning or look up workout videos on the internet. Try walking or biking to work to add a little more movement to your morning. If you take the bus or subway to work, try getting off a stop or two before your usual stop and walk the rest of the way. If you drive, try parking your car in a spot that far away from the entrance. [5] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source If you have time, you can even take your dog for a quick walk around your block.
Make your morning shower even more enjoyable by listening to your favorite music and singing along. Research has shown that our brains release dopamine when we listen to music and oxytocin when we sing. These chemicals reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness, and help keep us mentally and physically healthy. Combining music and singing while you shower will provide some great benefits for your brain and body at the beginning of your day. [6] X Research source < Try adding a cold blast of water at the end of your shower to increase your circulation and feel more awake. [7] X Research source
Avoid high calorie breakfast options like eggs, bacon, and pancakes. You should also try to limit juice and processed foods in the morning to get your day off to a healthy start. Some fruit such as apples and bananas is a good option. Try making yourself a smoothie if you usually eat breakfast on the go. Blend some frozen fruit with other ingredients like yogurt, tofu, or low-fat milk to create a nutritious breakfast that you can take with you.
Choose water instead of juice, soda, or other sugary beverages.
Make your bedroom a pleasing, relaxing space. If your bedroom is messy or cluttered, you might have a hard time relaxing at night. Make sure that it is clean and attractive so that you don’t have anything distracting you from getting a good night’s sleep. Don’t have any alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine at least three hours before bed. Alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine can disrupt your sleep cycle, so it’s best to avoid these substances in the hours leading up to your bedtime. Do something to relax before bed. Reading in bed for 10-15 minutes, meditating, or talking to your partner are good ways to calm down and get ready to sleep. Avoid watching television or playing video games right before bed because they may cause you to become more alert.
Try a sleep monitor or tracker to make sure you are getting enough sleep every night.
Don’t hit the snooze button. Hitting the snooze button has been shown to be more harmful than helpful because the extra few minutes you get when you hit snooze do not actually provide you with quality rest. [13] X Research source
Try journaling about a happy memory or reading a positive quote or story. If you are religious, you could take a few minutes to read from a spiritual text and consider the verses you read.
