10. Cold Shower
Stepping out of a hot, steamy shower may make you loose and relaxed, but it can also leave you feeling a little sluggish. For a euphoric shock to the system that will invigorate your morning, try finishing your shower with a blast of cool water. A burst of cool water wakes your body up and leaves you feeling tingly, energized, and ready for the day. A cool water finish is also a great way to seal in the benefits of your hair conditioner as your cuticles and pores lock in all the good stuff!
9. Scrape your tongue
This easy oral hygiene practice will make significant changes in your morning routine. In addition to fighting bad breath, improving your oral hygiene, and removing yucky bacteria, it also will make your breakfast taste better by cleaning off those taste buds!
8. Have a cuppa
Full of antioxidants and containing less caffeine than coffee, you can feel good about a nice hot cup of tea in the morning. For the most caffeine, choose a black tea that excites your senses. If you have anxiety, consider a GABA oolong to ease your nerves for the coming day. A deliberate ritual of choosing, steeping, and enjoying a cup of tea is an excellent tool for morning meditation as well.
7. Get some sunlight
The rising and setting of the sun help set our natural sleep rhythms. When we spend all our time inside, we confuse our primitive circadian clocks. Getting some sun in the morning tells our bodies that it is time to start the day. After just a few minutes in the sun, our body stops producing sleep hormones and begins creating vital vitamin D!
6. Set goals for the day
Setting goals in the morning gives your day purpose. Having a purpose boosts your feelings of control and confidence, giving you more energy to accomplish your mission! Be sure to set goals you can achieve, break them down into steps, and celebrate their completion.
5. Meditate
Meditation is the most important morning medicine you can take. Just a short ten meditation each morning can relieve stress, lower blood pressure, increase serotonin, and boost your mood! Find a comfortable space, clear your mind, focus on your breathing, and create a calm baseline for your day.
4. Eat a good breakfast
A good breakfast wakes up your metabolism and helps you keep healthy energy levels for the rest of the day! Try to eat within two hours of waking up and make sure your meal contains protein, some healthy fat, and enough complex carbs to feed your brain and keep you feeling sated until lunch.
3. Practice gratitude
Taking a few minutes to be thankful for the positive things in your life is the perfect start to an energized day. Start by thinking of the positive things that happened the day or week before. Nothing is too big or too small. The positivity from this exercise will permeate the rest of your day!
2. Sweat
It might seem counterintuitive, but exercise is a great way to get energized in the morning! Exercise can improve circulation, boost energy and mood, and relieve stress. You don’t have to spend two hours kick-boxing to benefit from a morning workout, try a light yoga routine to prepare your mind and body for the day. Just ten minutes of movement will help stimulate the hormones that keep you awake and alert.
1. Wake up earlier
For a relaxed, energizing, deliberate morning, you may need to get up earlier. Waking up with the sun is a primitive routine for your body and can help regulate your mood and sleep cycle. Give yourself plenty of time to take care of yourself in the morning before any obligations, and you will quickly see the improvement in your energy levels and quality of life.
