Little Changes for a Big Impact
By Donna Stark
Good or bad, the choices we make in the morning definitely have an impact on how the rest of our day goes. Think about it. Are you hitting the snooze button more times than you can count and then rushing to get out of the house because you didn’t give yourself the time you need to get ready? Are you picking up the dollar bills you threw on the dresser the night before so that you can grab some coffee and a greasy biscuit that’s been sitting for hours at your neighborhood convenience store? Do you catch yourself screaming at your children for dragging their heels and making everyone late? Well, I don’t know about you, but I have definitely answered yes to those questions. Fortunately, it doesn’t happen all of the time, but there are definitely those kinds of days in my life.
Healthy Morning Habits
It’s easy to lose patience and be irritable all day after starting your day on the wrong foot, isn’t it? That’s why it is so important to develop some healthy habits for your morning routine. Here are some suggestions.
- Stretch - Stretching in the morning not only feels good, but it can improve your posture, reduce back pain, increase blood flow, and energize your body all at the same time.
- Make a healthy breakfast - Breakfast is your body’s fuel. It helps to jumpstart your metabolism and provides all of the nutrients that are needed for energy, wellness, and a productive day.
- Drink tea - Drinking a cup of tea is a great way to provide your body with the antioxidants that help fight serious health issues such as inflammation, cancer, digestive issues, and heart disease. Tea also helps you get rid of that sluggishness by promoting mental alertness.
- Have some fruit - It’s always a good idea to start your day off by incorporating some of the recommended food group items into your breakfast. By doing so, you can be sure to get the necessary nutrients and antioxidants that your body needs to get through the day.
- Get a dose of sunshine - No matter how you do it, whether you take an early walk or eat near an open window, getting some rays on your face always feels good. And in addition to getting some natural Vitamin D from doing so, sunlight also helps to stimulate the brain which will be beneficial for the day ahead of you.
Little Habits for Big Impact
You don’t need big changes in your morning habits to make a big impact in your day. After all, it’s usually the little things that matter most. So start tomorrow off with a change or two and see if it makes a difference to your day. I can’t guarantee that your children won’t drag their heels anymore, but at least you had your cup of tea. Did I mention it’s great for calming your nerves as well?
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Littleton, Colo.