Prioritizing fitness into your daily schedule can be tough, right? We wake up, rush to start our day, get through our work day, and barely arrive back home with enough energy to survive the evening. Then we prepare to crash into a slumber and drag ourselves out of bed at the call of the alarm the next morning, just to do it all over again. Does it feel like life is on repeat in this monotonous routine – with no time for the things we enjoy or the things that are good for us?
Slowly and gradually we can break this exhausting routine and start to incorporate more enjoyable, feel-good habits.
It’s easy to make excuses for not having a wellness routine when you are tired, exhausted and struggling to find the time, energy and desire to do so. If scheduling a fitness routine into your day is a challenge, we suggest trying some morning movement.
Let’s discuss where to begin, and why you should make this a daily habit.
01. Wake up just 15 minutes earlier: In order to complete 5-10 minutes of movement in the morning, realistically you will only need to wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual to stay on your normal morning routine and not be late for your workday. This 5-10 minutes of movement could range from a morning walk, doing simple bodyweight exercises like squats and planks, or simply getting on your yoga mat and doing a few light stretches.
02. Feel invigorated the whole day: Morning movement has the potential to leave us in a more positive mindset for the whole day. It also helps us feel more accomplished, as we have just checked something off our to-do list. It gives us a feel-good routine to look forward to each day. And most importantly, it increases our exercise minutes and step count. Just get moving!
03. You can always do more later: Even if you complete your 10 minutes of morning movement, you can always go to the gym, a yoga class, or for a jog later in the day. You may still choose to do some more vigorous exercise in the afternoon or evening if time and energy allow. But even if you don’t, at least you have already committed to doing some. Doing even a small amount of movement daily is better than doing none.
04. Improved circadian rhythm and patterns: Waking with the sun has a powerful effect on our circadian rhythm. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that our circadian clocks respond to light as a signal to be awake, therefore, also helping us to sleep better and deeper at the end of the day. If you bring your morning movement outdoors, this benefit becomes more impactful.
Studies have shown that even smaller windows of activity can still have a great impact on our health and well-being. If you are not a morning person, it takes some willpower and determination to get started. But once you’re in the routine of doing regular morning movement, you will most likely feel the improvement in your mindset that will carry you through your entire day.
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