Mornings, mornings, mornings... Oh my. We've all had those spill-coffee-on-yourself-before-10 a.m. mornings. Even if you consider yourself to be a morning person, it can still be a struggle to assure that every morning you walk out of the door with a smile on your face. Furthermore, most people dread mornings, and question how it's possible to be a morning person. I, too, used to question these freaks of nature, until I realized that by simply practicing daily morning routines, anyone can have a better morning, and maybe even become a morning person in the process.
Before jumping into how to have a better morning, first we have to understand...
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Why Mornings are Important
Studies have shown that people who stay up late and sleep in late are more likely to suffer from depression, obesity, and drowsiness.On the flip side of that, it's been proven that those who wake up early are more likely to maintain physical activity, be more productive, and have a better night of sleep. Why is this? A large factor that goes into the way we sleep is our Circadian Rhythm. You can think of your Circadian Rhythm as your brain's natural clock. It relies on light and dark signals to determine when you should be awake and when you should be asleep. The Circadian Rhythm relies on the natural cycle of our planet's orbit, hence, it relies on the natural cycles of day and night. Therefore, if your Circadian Rhythm falls out of line with the planet's natural orbit, your brain and body function will experience symptoms of physical, mental, and emotional fatigue.
So now that we know that being a morning person can help your overall health, you are probably wondering how to make your mornings more enjoyable if you've never been a morning person. These five tips for having a better morning will help:
1. Meditation
You may have already heard that meditation is good for you because of its recent rise in popularity in western culture. What you may not know, though, is that meditation is not just for hippies and yogis, but rather for anyone who wants to enhance their mind and body performance. There are many benefits of meditation, ranging from reducing anxiety to increasing longevity. The most common positive effect of meditation has been a gain in overall mental clarity, which comes from daily meditation. Meditation in the morning is a great way to de-clutter your mind, enhance your mood, and gain focus for the day.
2. Exercise
Not everyone enjoys going to the gym in the morning, but those who do know that it is a great way to start your day. Exercise increases serotonin output, which is the primary chemical in the brain responsible for increasing happiness and reducing symptoms of depression. Additionally, exercising in the morning is a great way to start your day off feeling accomplished, which will transcend through the rest of your day. The best part about exercise is that it comes in many forms. If you aren't a fan of lifting weights, you can try running, and if you aren't a fan of running, you can try swimming. A small amount of exercise can make a big difference in your day.
3. Eating the right meal for breakfast
We've all heard the term "you are what you eat." This may sound cliche, but it is the truth, and we see this truth every day. The food we put into our body is a direct reflection of how our mind and body perform. If you seek optimal performance during the day, the food you put into your body when starting your day must reflect that desired performance. Studies have shown that those who refrain from eating breakfast, or choose to eat an unhealthy breakfast, are more likely to eat impulsively throughout the day and crave more sugar. Eating a healthy meal in the morning not only leads to a better day, but a better life.
4. Unplugging
If you are like me, you have probably developed the habit of checking your phone first thing in the morning. You may also be used to checking your email, browsing the web, or watching TV before you even have breakfast. It is easy to develop these habits since technology has become a cornerstone for the way that we communicate with one another. The problem with consuming media and information too early in the morning is that we often jump right into the day without even enjoying the morning. Unplugging from technology in the mornings not only allows for more time to enjoy the morning, but additionally enables you to prepare for the day without distractions.
5. Getting a good night of sleep the night before
As mentioned before, the timing and quality of our sleep play a vital role in our overall health. Moreover, the quality of sleep we get at night often determines the quality of our morning the next day. Sleep deprivation is known for causing accidents, emotional instability, memory loss, and irritability, among other things. Additionally, many people who claim to not be a morning person deem this to be true because they choose to be a night person instead. In other words, being a morning person may mean giving up being a night person. Inevitably, though, anyone can have a better morning with the right mindset and morning routines.
