5 Healthy ways to start your day
Want to start the day energized and motivated? Here is a list of what you should do the moment you wake up in the morning.
You probably already know that exercising early in the morning is a great way to start your day. Any physical activity will stimulate your muscles and wake up your whole system. As a bonus, it will also make you physically fit, which will give you extra energy. However, exercise is only one factor to help get you going in the morning. To live the joy of total wellbeing, you have to take care of not just the physical but also mental and emotional, financial, and social.
Do you want to know other healthy ways to begin your day on a good note? Here are five of them:
1. Incorporate chia seeds into your breakfast meal.
These tiny seeds are big on nutrients. According to the Harvard School on Public Health, chia seeds contain polyunsaturated fat (omega-3 fatty acids), calcium, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, and protein. Everyone knows fiber in the morning is a good thing. Being complete proteins, chia seeds contain nine essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the body.
Chia seeds have been around for thousands of years but are receiving renewed interest due to their potential for weight loss. They absorb water and expand in the stomach. It slows down the absorption of food so you feel a lot fuller longer. Numerous studies also conclude that it can help influence cholesterol levels.
2. Listen to “good morning” music.
Get pumped up and happy in the morning by blasting out feel-good music. Listen to songs that lift your mood or give you #goodfeels. Choose songs or melodies that will make you dance and, well, wake up.
According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, listening to music boosts mood and wellbeing. Music offers the same effects as meditation, which helps in improving mental health and overall wellbeing.
If you're a big believer that how you start your morning will dictate the feeling of the day, then start playing your favorite tunes.
3. Take your time in the shower.
If you're a busy person, showering may just be the only personal time you get throughout the day. So, try not to rush it. Take your bath leisurely. The warm water pressure will stimulate your muscles and calm your nerves. Numerous studies also confirm that a relaxing bath can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Use this calm state to plan your day and think about what you need to do. You'll be impressed with how many great decisions you can make in the shower.
4. Get motivated.
Whether you prefer a quote from the Bible, a social media post, or a song, start your day motivated and energized. It is a great way to prepare your mind and spirit so you can focus on seizing the day.
A 2018 study in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine says that reciting a mantra can improve mental health and negative affectivity. In a group setting, it also helps establish connection and teamwork.
5. Meditate.
Also, a great way to start the day is to clear your mind for a few minutes and get in touch with your inner self. Meditating in the morning will allow you to focus better.
Meditation does more than ease your mind. Based on information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation benefits extend to your physical . It can lower blood pressure, manage psychological disorders and pain, and even improve your digestive system.
There’s no time like the present to take care of your physical wellbeing. For more info on how you can nurture your mental and emotional, financial, social, and any other aspects of your health and wellbeing, click here.
