The way you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of your day. Here are 7 things healthy people do every morning.
1. Drink a glass of water as soon as they wake up.
You’ve just gone 7-8 hours without drinking any water so you’re dehydrated when you wake up even if you don’t feel that you are.
Drinking water as soon as you wake up fires up your metabolism, hydrates you, helps your body flush out toxins, gives your brain fuel, and may even make you eat less.
If you’re not a fan of drinking plain water, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to your water.
2. They do not check their email, phone or social media for at least an hour.
Whatever you chose to focus on first thing in the morning shapes your entire day. If you check your email or social as soon as you wake up, you scatter your focus and damage your ability to sustain attention on anything later in the day.
With social media, in particular, you begin your day by comparing yourself to others which creates unnecessary anxiety in your life.
3. They think of at least one that they are grateful for.
The health benefits of beginning your day with gratitude include having more patience throughout the day, focusing on solutions more than problems, improving self-care and external relationships, eases or keeps depression at bay and gives you happiness that lasts.
4. They step outside and take a deep breath.
Natural light is a mood booster as it increases the release of serotonin. Serotonin is known as the happy hormone and it helps you to have a better mood, as well as feel focused and calm.
If you are unable to step outside, open the curtains and the windows and let the light and morning air come in.
5. They move their bodies.
There are quite a few health benefits to exercising first thing in the morning. They include consuming fewer unnecessary calories, being more active all day long, burning more fat, sleeping better at night, protecting yourself from diabetes, and building muscle more efficiently.
If a full-on exercise routine is just not in the cards, do some simple stretches. It will help wake your muscles up and get them ready for the day ahead.
6. They take time to eat a healthy breakfast.
It’s true, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You should not skip it nor should you choose that moment to devour food devoid of truly nutritious content.
The benefits of starting your day by eating a healthy breakfast include boosting your metabolism, keeping your blood sugar levels stable, reducing the risk of cravings and overeating, improving concentration and productivity and helping you maintain a healthy weight.
7. They say positive affirmations.
Research shows that your mental chatter is about 70% negative. What you perceive is what you believe. What you believe is what you act out. In order not to be consumed by the volume of negative thoughts your brain creates, you need to fill up on positive affirmations.
Affirmations stated in the morning help you set the tone for how you want your day to go. They help you establish what you will and won’t allow to consume your thoughts, time and energy and they can also help you keep your health goals.
Here are some goods to start your day with
- Negative thoughts only have the power I allow them.
- I will achieve great things, through small steps
- Always remember that you have enough, you do enough, and most importantly, you are enough.
- I am destined for greatness if I choose to be.
- Lessons and wisdom are all around us if we are only willing to listen.
- I already have everything I need.
