Most people, as soon as their eyes open, go to check their phone to see any new messages and alerts. However, doing this doesn’t give your brain enough time to register itself. Seeing messages and being immersed in something that has nothing to do with focusing on waking up will immediately put stress onto yourself. Try waking up and focusing your mind on the little things, such as what the weather is like, and what you fancy for breakfast.
Having a cold shower first thing in the morning has been proven to help the body and mind massively. It not only strengthens your immune system, but it makes you feel a huge sense of achievement. However, standing in a freezing cold shower is not an enjoyable experience, and the feeling of being comfortable and warm to then making yourself uncomfortable on purpose takes so much willpower. To ease yourself into this process, try subjecting yourself to cold water for a short amount of time at the end of your shower then start to build it up from there.
It sounds so simple, yet it is so effective. Fresh morning air contains more oxygen because the sun has only just risen, helping your lungs to fully open and providing you with a break from the circulated air indoors. Taking a few seconds to sit with your window open or sit outside for a few minutes without a phone or any other distractions can help clear your mind, organize your thoughts and feel a sense of calmness.
A relaxing habit that many people live by is having a coffee while sat breathing in the crisp morning air and taking in the beautiful views. By treating yourself to a warm, decadent, invigorating cup of coffee outside, it feels like a treat with every sip. For Nespresso owners that also want to look after the environment, you can find compatible capsules that are eco-friendly from sites like Gourmesso. They are compostable, containing absolutely no plastic or aluminum. Choosing from their large range of intensities and roast levels, they can cater to your specific coffee requirements.
Exercise at any time of day is extremely beneficial, but exercising in the morning has been shown to improve your performance for the rest of the day. It is a chance to fully switch your brain on and get your blood pumping! Exercising in the morning can massively improve your sleep at night, by waking up early and getting rid of excess energy that would otherwise be keeping you up at the end of the day. Exercising your brain releases more endorphins, which is good for tackling anxiety and depression.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. After not eating for hours on end while being asleep, your body craves nutrients to start it back up again. When eating breakfast and setting yourself up for the day, you’re less likely to eat more throughout the day. This can then result in less unhealthy weight gain and more energy in the mornings.
Although some of these tips may sound obvious, many people overlook them because it is easy to be sucked into having a fast-paced lifestyle. Do your mind and body a favor, and look after yourself. Ease into the day and start as you mean to go on.