Most people have a regular bedtime routine. They have their beauty ritual figured out, know how to unwind at the end of the day, and relax just in time to get to bed for a good night’s rest. But waking up, on the flip side, is rarely met with too much thought other than annoyance, for many people. If being a morning person is not really your thing, then having a wake-up routine may be exactly what you need to get the day going with a little more energy. Here are some steps you should consider incorporating into the first few minutes of your day to make your start more enjoyable.
5 Ways to Wake Up Better
- Stretch – Before you open your eyes, roll out of bed, or do anything else, try stretching. It’s a gentle way of waking up your body and slowly getting it ready to go. Start with pointing the tips of your toes, stretching your calves, and working your way up throughout. Go all the way until you’ve reached your arms and feel ready to sit up. Then roll your head and neck, stretch both arms, and see how much better you feel. If this works well for you, consider trying morning yoga.
- Meditate – The most important part of starting a morning routine is having a few minutes to yourself before the rest of the day’s craziness takes over. Having some time to meditate can be helpful in alleviating stress, anxiety, and worry while helping you feel more prepared.
- Exercise – Adding a short exercise routine to your morning will definitely wake you up. It will also get your endorphins going and give you a time to reflect and think about the day ahead. Whether it’s running, taking a class, or just going for a walk, take time to get your muscles warmed up.
- Drink Water – Having one full glass of water in the morning before consuming breakfast or any other liquids can help get your digestive system going and make you feel more alert. Try this simple trick before moving forward with everything else you have to do for a quick refresher.
- Make the Bed – Earlier this year, U.S. Navy Adm. William H. McCraven told graduates to make their bed every morning because it would give them “a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.” It’s a great way to ease into everything you need to do for the day. If that doesn’t encourage you to make your bed, I don’t know what will!
Do you have a morning routine to help you make the most out of your day? How do you get started?
