4 Morning Habits to Start Your Day Off Right

Happy Wellness Wednesday my friends! Ladies, did you know that what you do in the morning determines what kind of day you’re going to have? I never put much thought into what I do in the morning would make a difference in the day I am going to have until I made it a priority for 2021. Did you know that by having a morning routine that involves exercise, good food, and some form of boosting your morale, you can start the day off in the right way?  Yet, do you really know why the formation of the morning routine is the best place to start improving your life?

This post is sponsored by Peach, however, all opinions are my own.

This year I am making a determined effort to get my morning routine back on track. I used to have a morning routine that made me happy and very productive until COVID-19 hit. Then I became lazy in my routine while staying at home and didn’t care. This is why I wrote this blog post.  I need to start my mornings off right again even if I’m staying at home. Having a morning routine even in the hardest of times will get you through anything. Period.

Good Morning Habits to Start Your Day Off Right

1. Start Your Day with Gratitude

As I have gotten older I find myself so grateful for so many things in my life but I never really added gratitude to my morning routine until the last couple of years. Adopting a morning gratitude practice can make a huge difference in your overall mood and outlook on life. When you take the time to practice gratitude intentionally every day, a grateful mindset will become a habit – and you might find that your life improves dramatically.

I find writing in my daily journal given to me by my dear friend JoJami Tyler of Ladies Road Map, every morning as one of the easiest to build and maintain a grateful mindset. I do this first thing in the morning with my coffee in the quietness of the day.

How to Write about what you are Grateful for

Write the first thing that comes to mind. There are no rules for practicing thankfulness – you can do it any way you want.

One method many people follow is writing out a list of five or ten things you’re thankful for every day.

Not everything you write in your journal has to be big and life-altering. In fact, most of what you write about will probably involve the smaller details of life, such as a nice meal, a hot shower, or a beautiful morning sky. Nothing is too small or trivial to include in your entries.

2. Get Up and Move

Whether it’s a simple yoga routine, a brisk walk with your pet, a quick set of sit-ups and push-ups, or hitting the gym to work off last night’s meal, starting off your day with movement energizes the body and the mind. I walk every day but alternate doing yoga and weights.

Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Walking

I am very fortunate that I have a faithful companion who depends on me for morning walks as part of my morning routine.

Starting out your day with a walk may give you more energy throughout the day. If you walk outdoors, that’s especially true.

Studies show that adults who walked for 20 minutes outdoors experienced more vitality and energy than those who walked for 20 minutes indoors.

There are physiological benefits to walking in the morning, too.

A walk may help:

• improve self-esteem
• boost mood
• reduce stress
• reduce anxiety
• reduce fatigue
• ease depression symptoms or reduce your risk for depression

For best results, try walking for 20 to 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.

Related post: Walking for Your Health

Related Post: The Benefits of Having a Dog 

I am wearing clothes from the New Dawn Collection from Peach. The Morrison Cardigan and the Stargaze Reversible leggings

are perfect to wear while walking, exercising, or just doing nothing.

Practice Yoga

I have always enjoyed yoga as part of my morning routine. I take my cue from my dog Bruno because he always stretches before his walks. I love doing yoga stretches before any physical exercises.

Because there are so many different kinds of yoga practices, it is possible for anyone to start. I am not flexible enough to twist myself up into a pretzel but the benefits of yoga​ so important for your physical and mental wellbeing.

Yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person’s mental well-being. Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind; centers attention; and sharpens concentration. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.Yoga can also lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia. – Dr. Nevins

I also wrote about the benefits of doing yoga for Osteoporosis.

Reversible leggings

Grab Some Weights

Working out with weights in the morning something I like to do to keep my bones strong and healthy. I alternate days with yoga or pilates. When I fell skiing in January (many times without breaking any bones) I attributed it to keeping my bones strong through weight-bearing exercises. When my primary doctor asked if I wanted to do a bone density test this year I said, “Why?” I fell 3 times and was so fearful of breaking a leg but it didn’t happen.

3. Drink A Glass of Water

There are a lot of studies that show how a simple glass of water gets your internal system working. Just a quick glass of water helps wake you up and get you moving. I have also read that drinking warm or hot water in the morning is better than water that has been chilled to wake our bodies and digestive system.

4. Get A Good Nights Sleep

This last one isn’t a habit for your morning exactly … however before you can hope to implement new, healthy morning habits, you should have the foundation of a well-rested body and mind.

I wrote about getting a good night’s sleep on this post.

What is your morning routine to start your day off right?

I would love to know!

Hugs,