We all have our days where we feel cruddy in the mornings. Those that have gotten more than their fair share of these cruddy mornings have probably, just like me, noticed how your morning-start is an incredible determining factor of how the rest of your day might be. Through many years of trial and error, I have developed 7 practices that can help boost your energy level in the morning. The best mornings are when I incorporate every single one of these practices.
1. Get plenty of sleep
Sleep is probably the greatest determining factor of all. If you’ve gotten about 6 to 8 hours of sleep, you are usually in the clear to do anything you want to do for the rest of your day and the other practices will only help to boost your energy levels even MORE to create an unforgettable day.
2. Eat a HEALTHY Breakfast
Being able to eat a healthy breakfast (and I stress the word healthy) is also crucial. Many people try to start their days with just a small bowl of cereal, but I am a strong advocate in having a big healthy breakfast. If what you are eating is healthy, make sure you are eating a little more than you usually do. Your energy level and metabolism, despite possibly feeling down, are at its highest in the mornings and early afternoons. Having your meals match your energy levels throughout the day can help your body use its energy most efficiently. Think of delicious fruits and veggies for breakfast and do not EVER forget the water.
3. Drink Green Tea
Green Tea has now become a favorite in my life. Over the years, I have experienced with coffee and other teas as well. No other tea or caffeine balanced beverage has the same energizing yet calming effect of green tea. Drinking Green Tea in the mornings is a great way to create consistent sustainable energy through your day.
4. Yoga
There’s nothing like a good stretch in the morning. In Asia, it’s very common to see the older generation wake up at times earlier than any college student would ever fathom waking up to practice Tai Chi and various other exercises at a local park. Sadly, you do not see this culture as much in America. Doing Yoga or any form of stretching in the morning is a great way to help increase the blood flow through your body, creating a vitality and “aliveness” that easily carries on throughout the day.
5. Drink a glass of cold water
Honestly, immediately after waking up and brushing your teeth, sometimes what you need the most is a glass of ice cold water. Drinking water in the morning is essential because if you actually slip through the night, you have just gone 6-8 hours without ANY water. Your body is usually more dehydrated than hungry in the mornings and sometimes drinking that glass of water can help put your mind and your stomach into perspective. Getting rid of your thirst can help your mind think more clearly about what else you may need to take care of in the morning.
6. Shower
Showering in the mornings can definitely help wake you up. There’s nothing like a good clean slate to start your day off with. Even giving your body a quick rinse in the mornings is enough to give you that fresh, clean feeling that we love every morning.
7. Meditation / Self Reflection
Taking a second to connect with your soul and spirit and/or even the world for a good few minutes in the mornings can help you focus. Even if meditation is not exactly your cup of tea, taking a second to write about your thoughts and goals can be enough to give you that drive to charge full force towards your goals. It really helps to take a second to think about YOU each and every day.
Like I said, these are the steps that I try to incorporate every single morning. Whenever I’ve followed every one of these steps, I usually have one of the best days of my life. The way I look at it, why not go ahead and try to make every day the next best day of your life? Good luck!