5 Healthy Morning Habits I Live By

We’ve just wrapped up the first month of 2021. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? That good, eh? February is the time to stay strong with your new habits or routines. The good news is this month is a way to start fresh if you had fallen behind on your resolutions. Whatever you chose as your new daily routine, just remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, it’s probably best to keep it simple so you don’t get overwhelmed and end up giving up a month later (yes, it happens to all of us). We all tend to get super excited about a new year/month/week and we make all kinds of resolutions only to find out that they’re not what we expected. Some, if not all resolutions seem to taper off after a while, while others teeter back and forth until they finally meet their demise. This is why it’s good to start small and simple. Why not continue the year with some simple habits to keep you healthy and happy throughout the year. Here are some of my daily morning habits/routines I’ve found to be excellent ways to start each day.

Drink a tall glass of water

Hydrating in the morning is one of the best things you can do for your body. Water make up 2/3 of your body and our body uses water while we sleep. All of your organs, tissue, nerves, everything rely on water to function properly and optimally. It’s a natural cleanser for the body. Add a pinch of cayenne, Himalayan salt, and a splash of lemon juice to jump start your digestion and hydration.

Drink tea / coffee

I normally have a cup or two of tea or coffee in the morning for a bit of a pick-me-up, but the benefits of choosing one of these beverages outweighs the boost of energy. Tea consumption not only puts me in a calmer mood, but studies show that drinking tea (specifically green tea) can lower the risk of breast cancer, lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and body fat, protect the brain from cognitive decline and stroke and much more. Coffee on the other hand has it’s own set of benefits other than having a boost in energy. Coffee has been shown to lower liver inflammation as well as lower the risk of Parkinson’s. These two beverages, to me, seem to be second only to water. Why not add a little tea or coffee into your morning routine knowing that you’ll be starting the day promoting and protecting your health.

Go for a morning walk

Every morning after getting all my ducks in a row, I take the pup out for a walk. It may be between half a mile or a mile and a half. Either way way, rain or shine, I’m outside. Sure, sometimes it can be terrible weather, but the positives sometimes outweigh the negatives. The fresh air, sunshine, and all the sounds of nature sure help push all of the stresses in life aside, even if it’s for just 20 minutes. In that short amount of time, your mood for the day can change. Walking can also help keep your weight and blood sugar in check and the older we get, these become harder to manage. So step outside and soak up all the sun.

Eat Breakfast (and the rainbow)

I’ve always loved breakfast. It’s pretty much the highlight of my day as it’s the first opportunity you get to make healthy choices for the day. After a good nights sleep, it’s important to replenish your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function throughout the day. This is one of the most important steps in self-care that in my mind is non-negotiable. Taking time to eat a healthy breakfast, whether it’s quick and on the go or at home, is important. The right food can provide your body with the energy you need. I always try to add a form of protein, whole grains, nuts/legumes and berries into my breakfast routine. Sometimes there’s a plethora of veggies sitting on a bed of quinoa while other times it’s a colorful smoothie. No matter how it’s made, those groups of ingredients remain a constant in my morning routine. Protein and whole grains keep your energy levels up and the hunger pangs at bay. Berries (or other fruits) provide water, a boost in the immune system, and antioxidants which help your body counteract, reduce, and repair damage that results from oxidative stress and inflammation. Choosing the right foods can provide your body with the energy and nourishment it needs so you can get to the things you want to do in life and then some.

Do 10 minutes of yoga or stretching

Adding a little stretching and mobility to your morning can go a long way. Twisting, stretching, bending after waking up increases blood flow and helps improve your digestive tract. Many yoga poses help your lymphatic drainage system and are also great stress reducers. Staying limber not only helps your muscles and skin, it also gently massages your organs as well as improve cognitive function, attention and memory. Keeping a sound body and a sound mind are a perfect way to start the day.