We wake up every morning only to groan, hit snooze and roll over. What kind of day is ahead of us if we do this? Well, it's probably chock-full of coffee and power naps. Days like this are tiring and unenjoyable.
Let's try something new in 2016. How about we don't hit snooze, and instead stretch to get our blood flowing. Or perhaps open the curtains to let in some natural light. There is plenty to do in the first 10 minutes we wake up. Here are five healthy morning habits to set a positive and productive tone for the day:
1. Stretch
Taking a couple minutes to stretch every morning can be tremendously beneficial. Not only does it gently wake up your muscles, but morning stretches have been proven to improve posture and energize the body. I have found that it is most important to stretch on the days that it is the hardest to get up. It gets my blood flowing and stops me from falling back asleep!
Click here for the best six stretches to do every morning.
2. Make your bed
A Hunch.com survey of 68,000 people found that 59 percent of people don't make their beds. This is silly because science has shown that bed makers are more likely to like their jobs, own a home, exercise regularly, and feel well rested. Plus, making your bed creates a snowball of productivity. If you finish a task first thing in the morning, your day will just get better and better. So, get up and make your bed!
3. Get some natural light
It's easy to roll over and fall back asleep in a dark room. After your morning stretches, pull open the curtains and get some natural light. It will wake up your brain and get your day started! Even in the dark winter months it is important to get natural light, so consider going for an early morning walk. Either way, start your day off right and bright!
4. Think about something exciting
Right when you wake up, start thinking about the day in front of you. Pinpoint one or two things that you are most excited about; it will give you something to look forward to other than sleep at the end of the day. Even on days that you know are going to be tough, try to think positively. Being happy in the morning sets you up for a very productive and enjoyable day!
5. Drink a glass of water
We forget: our bodies are 72 percent water. And when we wake up, we don't have enough in us. Drinking water first thing in the morning is essential to rehydrating. Research has also found that drinking a morning glass of water fires up our metabolism and helps our bodies to flush out toxins. Oh, and it makes us eat less throughout the day. So tomorrow, chug a glass of water right when you wake up. Your body will certainly say "thank you!"
There you have it, five healthy morning habits to set a positive and productive tone for the day. Not only are they super easy to do, but they are worth it in the long run. Even if you're not a morning person, try doing these five chores for the week. I promise you will be motivated to continue, and who knows, perhaps you will become a morning person!
