Mornings don't have to be hard. If you’re not a morning person then it can be hard to get your day started on a healthy note. Skipping breakfast and going for sugary coffees can hurt your day more than it helps it. Although it may seem easy to go for a morning drive-through or skip breakfast all together if you’re in a rush, but there are some simple steps that can help you transform your mornings and create healthy habits.
Stretch Your Way Out of Bed
Feeling tired? Trick your body into feeling awake by taking a few minutes each morning to stretch your way out of bed. We have a great morning stretch routine you can follow here. Getting blood pumping to your limbs and stretching will make you feel more awake and energetic, helping you tackle your day ahead.
Drink a Full Glass of Water as Soon as You Wake Up
A full night's sleep is great for the body, but it also means you aren't constantly hydrating your body like you are throughout the day. Having a full glass of water as soon as you wake up helps your body rehydrate and helps curb unnecessary cravings. This, along with some other tips listen below, will make it easy to get your water intake up, helping with weight loss, keeping the skin looking plump and clear, as well as giving you energy for the day.
Start the Day with Lemon Water
Lemon water is a great way to naturally detox your stomach and gut, especially on an empty stomach. Drink a glass of hot or room temp lemon water every morning before eating breakfast for a quick and easy way to help your body detox and feel less bloated throughout the day. This counts as drinking a full glass of water when you wake up so you’ll start your day with higher water intake.
Change Your Coffee Order
If you’re feeling sluggish mid-morning it could be because of your coffee. Sugary coffee drinks can make you crash fast and feel like the day is going by way slower than it actually is. If you're feeling this way, try switching to black coffee and opting for coconut or almond milk creamer. You’ll skip that awful headache and still get all the benefits and taste from coffee. This is also easy to do if you go out for your morning coffee.
Try Tea
Not everyone is a big fan of coffee but still want that extra kick of caffeine to start their morning. Skip carbonated soda-style energy drinks and opt for green or black tea in the mornings that have a great amount of caffeine and taste delicious. If you want a sweeter tea then just add honey or agave syrup to your green tea. Black tea drinkers: feel free to add milk or creamer to your tea, making sure to not overdo it with sugar.
Take a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is a major detoxer and will improve your immune system, gut health, and fight bloating. If you are more sensitive to the taste of Apple Cider Vinegar try mixing it in with a glass of water, your morning lemon water, juice, or blend it in a smoothie. Starting the day with an extra immune boosting kick is a surefire way to keep your gut health in check. Try doing this a couple times a week, or everyday if you’re an Apple Cider Vinegar lover.
Breakfast Matters
There is a reason people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not everyone is a breakfast person, but starting the day with some food in your stomach ensures that you have enough energy to tackle work or school and don’t crash. Even if you’re pressed for time, a simple smoothie will make a difference in your energy level and attention throughout your morning. Breakfast doesn't have to consist of heavy and time consuming foods. Eggs (boiled, scrambled, or omelettes) are quick, easy and have a great amount of protein to start your day. Some other favorites are brain foods like peanut butter which is a great way to get healthy fats and can be added to rice cakes, sprouted, or gluten free bread.
Try out all or some of these tips and you’ll see improvement in your mornings. Mornings don’t have to be hard and these tips will help you get through it with ease. Remember: adopting habits takes some time so stick to the things you want to try for at least two months to create a healthy habit and you’ll find your mornings to be easier and healthier.