Michael R Grigsby, Editor, May 8, 2024, 9:30 am EST
Mornings may be chaotic, with clothing strewn all over the place while you try to determine what to wear, toast consumed in big gulps before you leave the house, and coffee consumed even more quickly. Alternately, they can be opportunities to start afresh each day, consume more nutrients, form healthy habits, and establish daily objectives to reach a goal. The goal of developing a healthy morning routine is to accomplish the latter.
Why Having a Fit Morning Routine Is Essential.
A helpful routine consists of repeatedly doing the same action until it becomes second nature. Additionally, when you do that, your brain develops new neural pathways that make your behavior automatic and reduces the need for conscious thought—it eventually becomes a habit but what are some items and tasks you should avoid in order to establish the best morning ritual. Our staff has put together a list of some items to consider NOT DOING to get you started off right!
Image: Farknot Architect | Adobe Photo Stock
Hit the Snooze Button
Your day will be more energized by those extra fifteen minutes, right? False. If you wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, you'll sleep better. Feeling sleepy in the morning? Consider using a sleep monitor. This wearable gadget can detect when you're in a light sleep stage and rouse you at the most convenient time to wake up.
Stay in the Dark
It’s tempting to stay in the quiet darkness of your room with the shades drawn in the morning. Don’t do it. Daylight helps your body set its clock. That helps you sleep better and helps your body fight infections and inflammation. Getting outdoors in the sunlight helps you make vitamin D, think more clearly, and exercise more. It can even make you happier. So, open those shades and greet the new day.
Sleep Late
Getting up at the same time every day, even after a late night (yes, even on the weekends), is the best way to improve your sleep in the long run. However, there are moments when it just feels so good, particularly if you have the time and haven't gotten enough sleep.
Shoot Out of Bed Too Quickly
Gravity causes blood to rush to your legs when you get up from a laying position, which can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and a dizzy feeling. You might even faint from it. Particularly if you have had lightheadedness in the past, sit up gently and pause at the edge of the bed to give your body a few moments to adjust. It's a simple safety measure that could prevent a serious fall.
Ditch Your Workout
Regular exercise helps your sleep, weight, heart, and mood, among many other benefits. You may be more inclined to stick with exercise if you do it early. It might even make maintaining your weight and controlling your food intake easier. Make a plan and lay out your training attire the evening before.
Skip Your Coffee
If you typically drink two or three cups of coffee in the morning, missing it may make you feel sleepy. Not only could you find it difficult to focus, but you might also have extreme fatigue, nausea, and flu-like symptoms, along with a strong headache. Try reducing your caffeine intake gradually to prevent adverse reactions.
Forget Your Teeth
Every night, a sticky substance known as plaque builds up on your teeth. If you don't remove it in the morning, it may begin to solidify into tartar, which is something that can only be removed by seeing your dentist. Too much plaque and tartar can cause cavities, gum disease, bleeding or inflamed gums, foul breath, and other health issues.
Brush Right After Coffee
It's the coffee's acid. Thus, you should avoid brushing immediately after consuming any acidic meal or beverage. For instance, some individuals prefer to start their mornings with water and lemon. Too early brushing can remove dental enamel that has been weakened by the acid. Just give your teeth a quick brushing beforehand or give the acid 30 to 60 minutes to wear off.
Check Your Email
Constantly checking email, social media, and digital devices can lead to stress and worry. Checking your email first thing in the morning, for instance, can make
you feel more pressure to go to work sooner. Set aside some time in the morning to avoid using electronic mail or other digital media.
In the long run, it can make you happier and even help you do more work, even though it can require some initial effort.
Start Your Day Without a Plan
You risk losing focus on your goals and the things that give your life significance if you go about your daily activities without giving them any thought. Determine what matters most to you, whether it be your family, career, or way of life, and make sure your daily activities support your goals. At the end of the day, review your progress, create a list, and set priorities.
Bail Out of Breakfast
Regular breakfast eaters are often thinner, think more clearly, and are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They also eat a healthy diet and exercise more frequently. So go ahead and eat a nutritious breakfast—it's a fun and simple way to start the day off well.
So, did we miss anything? Have you got any healthy steps in your morning routine that you suggest or other advice on how to make one easier to stick to? Then please do leave them in the comments.