Getting your daily exercise routine in after a long day of work is difficult, your energy is depleted, you are mentally exhausted, and work at home still needs to be done. This is why morning exercise is crucial for those who just can’t find the time or say to themselves, “It’s been a long day, I’ll exercise tomorrow.” Morning exercise provides many benefits to your overall health, heart health, functionality, bone density and much more. It may mean you have to wake up an hour earlier, but once you get in a routine it becomes second nature. So, if you are one of those people who have decided, “I need to get healthier,” here are a few ways you can do that and the benefits of doing morning exercises.
Running
Running, even small distances, gets your blood pumping and works out many of your muscles. This helps to increase oxygenation throughout the body helping you feel more alert and focused during the day ahead.
Yoga
Stretching your muscle is important in keeping your body loose and helps prevent injuries. This is a great exercise to do in the morning if you have been instructed how to do it correctly. If you aren’t familiar with them, many videos exist online to help you get started. Yoga is great way to loosen up tight muscles and the breathing techniques you use during yoga also helps to increase oxygenation through the body, which helps muscle growth and healing, as well as mental clarity.
Functional exercises
Exercises like squats, push-ups, and sit ups also help prepare your body for other movements that you will be making throughout the day. Doing these exercises in the morning before you step out the door will help reduce risk of injury. For instance, you drop your phone and twist your back quickly to grab it before it hits the ground (we’ve all been there), or you want to pick up your kid when they get home from school, or carry a laundry basket up the stairs. Doing these exercises help with that fast twitch motion and for overall functionality in your day-to-day life to reduce the risk of injury, especially as we age.
Reasons morning workouts are great
It can be tough to get up in the morning and make yourself do a workout. Most people just want to brush their teeth, grab a cup of coffee, and get to the office. Waking up even 30 minutes before to do some stretches or a few exercises can greatly provide you with health benefits and provide you energy in the morning. Think “discipline over motivation”. Don’t wait until you “feel like it” (or you’ll be waiting forever), focus on your goals and put in the work. It will be worth it over time.
Break away from stress
Many people don’t understand that your body holds onto stress, even while you sleep. Working out first thing in the morning helps to relieve the stress from the day before so you’re more relaxed and ready to start fresh.
The morning is a great time to get rid of that stress because after a good night of sleep, which is also important, your energy level is at its highest even if you are a bit groggy.
After waking up from a natural solid night of sleep your body is refreshed. It is effective and ready to go even if your brain is telling you no. Your body is ready to tackle the day. Your muscles are refreshed and need exercise. Doing stretches or other exercises at this time not only awakens your muscles but provides energy to your body which can show throughout the day.
Clear your mind
Morning exercise also helps create a way to clear your head before your go to work or begin whatever it is you do throughout your day. For most 9 to 5 people they feel they are exhausted mentally and physically by the end of the day and are drained by 5 o’clock. Exercising in the morning is a great way to provide energy for you that will last throughout the day. Instead of coming home exhausted mentally or physically and then hitting a treadmill and not really doing a healthy workout, do it in the morning. Doing so in the morning makes sure you do the exercises right and the exercise will wake you up and give you the energy you need for the day. It is also a great way to clear your mind before you hit the grind of the workday.
Set the tone
Exercising in the morning will set the tone for the rest of your day. You just accomplished something big. You got your first big task of the day out of the way. Now it’s on to your next and you are more prepared and feel better to tackle that one. It gets your motivation up to keep that momentum going.
Eat healthier
You’re more motivated to eat healthy. If you tell yourself “I’m working out later, it’s ok…” you eat worse. But if you’ve already worked out, you will be less likely to undo that mentality because work you’ve already put in.
Boost endorphins
Morning exercises also helps to boost endorphins which gets you in a better mood for the day. We can always be better when we go to work with a smile rather than a scowl and dreading what is to come during the workday.
Boost metabolism
Metabolism is key to losing weight. So steady, regular morning exercise helps promote a boost in metabolism so you might start seeing a smaller waistline.
Create alertness
Exercising in the morning helps create alertness and focus by raising your cortisol levels. Cortisol helps regulate the body’s stress response. So, exercising in the morning will help you control your body’s use of proteins, fats, and carbs. This helps suppress inflammation, helps with blood pressure, and regulates blood sugar,
It’s tough to wake up and get going in the morning. Implementing these exercises in your daily routine will greatly improve your health and energy throughout the day. If you have struggles doing a bunch of exercises start off small. Do a few. Build yourself up. Create goals for yourself. Before you know it you will be beyond any goals you set and tackling the day like a superhero.
