How many of us wake up feeling groggy? No matter how early you go to bed, you still wake up feeling tired. The day ahead can even feel intimidating to some. You’re not alone! So many of us have morning routines that consist of hitting the snooze button, immediately reaching for coffee, or doom-scrolling on a phone for an hour. If you’re tired of feeling tired, then how about a few ways to feel your best in the morning?
Instead of going about your same routine that makes you feel worse, or just doesn’t prepare you for the day ahead, try these habits instead. You don’t need to do all of these helpful tips, but adding a few to your routine will not only boost your mood but raise your energy levels. Spring out of bed tomorrow and start feeling your best by doing these simple tips.
7. Make Your Bed
The simple habit that was forced on us as a kid actually does benefit us. Making your bed might seem like a small addition to your routine, but it can go a long way. Studies have proven that making your bed in the morning can help you become more productive, less stressed, and ultimately go about your day in a happier mood.
Our brain gets triggered by a small sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning, which releases a dose of dopamine — the neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. That little burst sets a productive tone for the day.
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6. Avoid Sleeping In
The phone is conveniently an arm’s length away at all times. The same goes for at night. And while most of us wouldn’t go a whole day without it, it does become a problem in the morning when the alarm goes off. So many of us hit that snooze button until we only have 20 minutes to get out of the door. This causes you to rush around in the morning and leave in a hurry, even speeding to your destination.
Not only that but if you continuously hit the snooze button, you’ll try to fall back to sleep, which will cause you to experience sleep inertia. This is the feeling of confusion and fatigue after waking up. Both of these issues can cause a stressful, groggy morning, and in turn, set the tone for the day.
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5. Get Sunlight
This can be a difficult one for some of us depending on when you wake up. Waking up and catching a few rays is a great way to feel your best in the morning. This can be done by simply walking out to your backyard or patio or taking a short walk.
Not only does it get you out of the house for a short moment to enjoy nature, but the short wavelength of blue light found in sunlight stimulates the brain. This is an easy and quick way to put you on the perfect path for a productive morning.
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4. Exercise
Sound familiar? If you want a surefire way to feel your best in the morning, exercise. Not everyone can do this as soon as they wake up, but if you can squeeze time in before your day starts for a quick walk, yoga, or even a light job, you’ll reap the benefits.
Working out in the morning will help you make healthier food choices throughout the day, improve your overall energy, improve your focus, put you in a better mood, and even help your overall sleep quality. Moving your body when you wake up might seem like a chore, but you’ll feel better when the work day starts.
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3. Take Cold Showers
If you frequently take showers in the morning to begin your day, try turning the temperature down a bit. Cold showers involve water being below 60 degrees for at least two or three minutes at a time.
Studies have shown that taking colder showers can improve your immunity to common colds, fight symptoms of depression, increase metabolism, improve blood flow circulation, reduce inflammation, and prevent muscle soreness. This is a quick and easy way to set the tone for the rest of the day and help you feel your best in the morning.
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2. Stretch
Along with exercising, stretching might be one of the most common activities recommended if you want to feel your best in the morning and have it continue through the day. Performing simple stretches as soon as you wake up helps warm up the muscles and promote circulation in the body, which helps in waking up.
While most of us stretch instinctively, like moving arms over our heads or extending our legs, it’s still important to take at least five minutes to perform simple yoga poses to wake the muscles. Some yoga poses include the Child’s Pose, Cobra, and Chair.
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1. Drink Water
But if everything seems intimidating, then one important habit to start with to feel your best in the morning is simply drinking water. Did you know that most of us don’t drink enough water? Shockingly, 47% of U.S. adults drink less than recommended. And when 60% of your body is made of water, it’s vital to drink enough.
Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee or tea when you wake up, have some water instead. You can even have a full glass while your morning drink is brewing or steeping. This will help rehydrate your body after several hours of not having a sip. Water also helps in digestion and can clear toxins. Along with that, water makes you feel full, so you’ll be less likely to overeat and feel weighed down when you first wake up.
