This article has everything you need to know about how to get more energy in the morning.
You only have so much energy to last you throughout the day, but what if that energy level is zero, or somewhere pretty close to it? It happens. Life, stress, too much partying–there are millions of ways that the world can zap our energy levels and keep us from maximizing our morning routines.
The bottom line is this: if you want to get stuff done, you need the energy to do it all. If you don’t have the energy you need, you’ll have to do stuff to get more energy. It sounds more complicated than it is, really!
To get your energy levels up in the morning and keep them there throughout the day, thus boosting your productivity and helping you get ‘all the stuff’ done, you need to incorporate some movement into your day. Of course, the last thing most people want to do when they wake up is engage in vigorous activity. However, a short burst of vigorous activity can be just the ticket to get your blood pumping and really wake you up.
Try starting with ten minutes of vigorous activity such as jumping on the treadmill and walking briskly or heading outside for a stroll around your garden. Vigorous doesn’t have to mean an activity that gets you hot and sweaty; anything that gets your body moving and wakes you up is a great choice.
If it helps, make a commitment to exercise by joining a gym or signing up for an exercise class first thing in the morning. If you are financially committed, you’ll be more likely to mentally commit as well. Forcing yourself to leave the house can also be a great way to ensure you won’t be tempted to slip back into bed instead of making progress with your morning routine.
If all else fails, just turn on your radio or create a playlist of your favorite upbeat dance songs and dance along. Not only is dancing great exercise, but it is fun and can help put you in a great mood at the start of your day. Whatever you do, just move. Get that blood pumping, get your heart beating, and remind yourself that you’re still alive and that there’s work to be done!
How To Get More Energy In The Morning:
1. Customize your activity to suit your goals
Of course, you can opt for a full-blown workout first thing in the morning if you’re trying to get in shape as well as increase your energy. You can work in some aerobic activity if you want to improve your cardiovascular health, or you can opt for some yoga and stretching if your aim is to increase your flexibility.
You can go all out and visit the gym, but being active at home works just as well and won’t interrupt the rest of your morning routine. Bring in your own fitness equipment or just use your own body and get moving. You don’t have to buy expensive equipment, but you could consider the purchase of a stationary bike or treadmill as an investment in yourself because you’ll be able to work on improving your health, which will in turn boost productivity.
2. Cool down the right way
After exercising, the next thing you need to do is learn to take advantage of that sweet space of time afterward to cool down both physically and mentally. After exercise is the perfect time for meditation because you’re pumped from moving around and you won’t be tempted to fall back to sleep. Be careful not to get the process mixed up because meditating before exercising could lead to snoring.
Not sure how to meditate? You don’t have to do anything fancy. Just sit still and focus on your breathing. Practice taking deep breaths and holding them for a count of three, then let them go. You can sit in a dark room and do this, or outside, or anywhere you feel calm and relaxed. Spend another ten minutes or so in meditation after being active to maximize the benefits of your activity.
Meditation can help relax you and keep you from being overwhelmed in the morning. Even taking a few minutes to sit mindfully in a quiet place can totally transform your outlook. If you think you are just too busy, think again. Just five minutes of mindful meditation can help make you feel calmer, more confident and ready to tackle everything on your to-do list.
If you live alone, meditation opportunities may be plentiful. If you have a family, get them involved. If you all spent just a few minutes getting focused and calm in the mornings, you’ll be surprised at how easy the rest of the day can feel.
SEE ALSO: 7 Everyday Habits Of Productive People That Will Improve Your Life Fast
3. Have a cup of black coffee
If you love coffee, a cup before your workout could help boost your performance and your energy levels, but be sure to skip the sugar, which will just cause an energy crash later. If you really want to start the day off right, drink a glass of water before you consume anything else. It will aid in hydration, replacing fluids you lost during the night while you were sleeping, and it will fire up your metabolism fast.
You’re probably thirsty when you wake up anyways, and it will make you less likely to drink too much coffee, which could give you a great temporary caffeine high, but which will make you crash later on when it wears off. Water will also help flush out your system and prepare it for the nutritional breakfast (1) that you have planned for yourself (and you will have planned one because you are now the Master of Morning, remember?).
4. Sniff something minty
The scent of mint has an interesting effect on your senses. It can invigorate and refresh you, making you feel instantly more alert and awake. Sniff some peppermint essential oil, brush your teeth with extra-minty toothpaste or drink a glass of mint tea when you first wake up for a boost of energy first thing.
You can also put a few drops of mint essential oils into a diffuser and place it in your workspace or wherever you’ll be when you first wake up. This will help keep you feeling energized and may even help energize those around you, which is perfect if you live with a bunch of sleepyheads.
5. Take a shower
Personal hygiene reasons aside, showers are ideal for boosting your energy and alertness first thing in the morning. You can spend 5-10 minutes under the water focusing on your day’s schedule, you can meditate, or you can just focus on clearing your mind as you clean your body. Of course, coming out of a nice warm shower into a cool bathroom can also invigorate you and shake the last cobwebs of sleep from your eyes.
Try using a minty body scrub to add even more energy to your shower. The scent will perk you up and the scrubbing motion will stimulate your circulation.
SEE ALSO: How To Use Your Strengths To Your Advantage In 5 Effective Ways
6. Take it outside
Get your daily dose of Vitamin D from a few minutes of sunlight and boost your morning energy levels the natural way. Unfortunately, your body won’t get the same energy boost from a vitamins supplement, although a good multivitamin may help keep your energy levels stable overall.
A little fresh air and sunlight can boost your mood (2) and make a great start to the day. Plus, it costs nothing, so grab that cup of mint tea or black coffee and maybe get a little outdoor activity in when you first wake up, and you’ll benefit from it all day long.
You may even find that getting outside for a few minutes first thing in the morning boosts your creativity. Nature can be pretty inspirational, and if nothing else, just shutting your brain off and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature can help your brain relax enough to work through problems you may be experiencing.
7. Buddy up
Spending time with an accountability partner can be a great way to boost your energy levels. You’ll be less likely to sit around being inactive, you can bounce ideas off each other and you can cheer each other on during those mornings that feel just too difficult to make it through.
Be careful to limit your buddy time to strictly work-related activities or you could end up wasting time instead. Use your accountability partner to make getting the day started more fun and to break out of a rut on those days when you just can’t find the energy you’re looking for.
Over time, your body will adjust to your morning routine, and you may want to mix up your activity a little. When you first start out, try a few different things to see what has the greatest impact on your energy levels. Eventually, you’ll find what works for you, and you’ll be on your way to becoming unstoppable every morning.
Creating a new morning routine takes several things, but most of all, it takes self-control and discipline. You can do the things you want to do (lie in bed, watch TV, eat junk food), or you can choose to do the things you know you should do, like take care of your body and your mind.
One of these lifestyles will hold you back from ever achieving your goals, and the other will help you lift yourself up and accomplish anything you set your mind to. Which one do you want to live?
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to get more energy in the morning. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.
