How to Harness Your Morning Power

You’ve made the decision to be healthier and you’re finally motivated to make the necessary changes in your life. Here are a few tips for you to consider so that you don’t set yourself back before you’ve even really gotten started.

1. Slow Down to Win. The instant the alarm rings, we’re told to get up right on time. Don’t hit the snooze. And while that is good advice for keeping a better and healthier sleep schedule, reaching a compromise seems to be a better approach. Yes, wake up once your alarm rings. Don’t hit the snooze. But instead of jumping right out of bed to get started on your day, which could lead to a number of problems. Moving to quickly and your muscles may spasm, hurting your lower back. Or, just hopping right up and out of bed can have a negative effect on your cardiovascular system, a condition called “orthostatic hypotension” which is a sudden drop in blood pressure that causes lightheadedness or worse, fainting. This happens because we’ve been lying prone for several hours and when we stand up, the blood rushes to our legs. To counteract this, take a moment to bring first one knee to your chest, then the next. This helps your entire body to safely prepare for your next move.

2. Let the Sunshine In. Many people prefer to gently ease into their day. They keep the blinds down as they get ready for work, have all lights in their bedroom and bathroom on dimmers, and prefer to walk around in the dark. While having a dark bedroom helps you to fall asleep, the opposite is true when you get up. Your body’s internal clock needs to see light once you are no longer sleeping. Sunlight is preferable, but even having bright lights on as you get ready for your day will help. Some studies have even shown that opening your blinds earlier in the morning can help with keeping control of your weight.

3. Get Exercise Out of the Way. Getting your workout done first thing in the morning is an excellent idea. But too many people are in such a hurry to get to their cycling or aerobics class that they neglect the most important thing. Taking care of a body that has had no food or water for over seven hours. If you’re not good at having breakfast as soon as you arise, then plan the night before and have a small snack on your way to the gym. And remember to hydrate.