Tough Habits That Start the Day Off Right
By Genevieve Cunningham
For a lot of people, the mornings are quite literally the toughest part of the day. They're harder than working hours. Harder than bedtime. They're just hard. Getting yourself up, out of bed, and moving takes a great deal of effort. So many times, the mornings set the tone for the rest of the day, which means the rest of the day is sluggish and rushed. Sounds good, right? Of course not! The good news is that your mornings can be better -- but it might take a little work on your part. If you want your mornings (and every day!) to be better, take a look at these tough-to-do habits that can totally change your day and are absolutely worth your effort.
Exercise
You don't have to wear yourself out or work out as hard as you possibly can first thing in the morning. In fact, it's this thought that really pushes people away from morning exercise. But some gentle movement can do wonders for your general health and energy levels. When we move, it helps us wake up. It awakens the mind. It gets our blood moving. If you're serious about healthier, happier, more energetic mornings, you really need to start your day with exercise and go from there.
Technology-Free Time
In our modern world, we often reach straight for a device as soon as our eyes open. We're heavily addicted to the screen. But what if we skipped this part? What if we woke up and spent a little bit of time with ourselves. Maybe we meditate or pray or just go about our routine in the quiet atmosphere of the morning. At first, this will be really hard -- we are addicted to our phones and computers, after all. But after a while, you'll probably find that this one step significantly improves your mood and your attitude for the rest of the day.
Meditation
Meditation has been proven to be an effective practice in everyday life. Those who meditate regularly often experience less stress, greater emotional control, and stable moods. But they may also experience less illness, as ridding the body of unnecessary stress significantly improves the immune system. While meditation is probably a little bit intimidating at first blush, it gets easier. Just start with a minute or two and work your way up to longer periods of time very slowly and deliberately. Don't get discouraged. The benefits will come -- and they'll be more than worth it.
It's tough to change your morning routine. Or if you don't have a morning routine, it's tough to create one. But being deliberate about your morning actions can completely change your day for the better. Add these simple -- but sometimes tough to accomplish -- habits to your morning, and experience the benefits all day long.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Charleston, S.C.