Start Your Day the Right Way

By Stepy Kamei

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to have a productive day when your morning starts off on the right foot? Once you get the ball rolling, whether it be through productivity or from engaging in healthy habits, it's simply that much easier to carry that positive momentum through the rest of your day. That's why it's a good idea to focus on incorporating healthy, smart habits and routines into your morning, if you want to set yourself up to succeed throughout the rest of the day. Here are just a few helpful suggestions to get you started!

Wake Up On Time, at the Same Time

The snooze button is so tempting, yet ultimately so unhelpful. When you really think about it, you're not getting much more sleep each time you hit that snooze button -- you're getting fitful bursts of light sleep at best. It's better to get up at the same time, every morning (yes, even on weekends and days off), so your natural circadian rhythm is in sync. After all, the body and mind thrive on familiarity and routine.

Write Something Positive and Helpful

You may want to get in the habit of keeping a journal by your bedside, especially if you find yourself overwhelmed with all the things you need to get accomplished each morning. Starting your day by writing your thoughts down can help declutter the mind, calm down stress, and improve your sense of focus. If you don't have time to free write, consider simply listing two or three things you're grateful for in order to start your day off on a positive note.

Hydrate Right Away

You may also want to consider adding a glass of water to your bedside table every night before going to sleep. That way, you can immediately reach for the water first thing in the morning. The cold water will help wake you up, and you'll already start the day off hydrated.

Open the Blinds

Getting natural light is a great way to wake the body and mind up. It can also greatly improve your mood, so be sure to open up those blinds right away! If you can squeeze in some time to go for a walk, even better.

Get Moving

Whether you get outside to walk your dog, perform a cardio routine at home or at a gym, or practice yoga, starting your day off with movement is a fantastic health habit to get into. Any form of exercise can help boost your energy and mood, while reducing stress and anxiety. Morning exercise can also help your mind stay clear and focused as you get other tasks taken care of throughout the rest of your day.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Memphis, Tenn.