If you search online, you’ll probably find a multitude of resources telling you that a good morning routine is important.
I’m not here to argue if you should or should not have a morning routine but I will say up front that I am very much in agreement that having a morning routine — that brings you joy! — is pretty important to your wellbeing.
Keep in mind that your morning may not start until 3:00 in the afternoon. It’s still your morning. So it doesn’t matter at all what time of day you are getting out of bed — do what works for you — what matters is having a routine once you are up.
The way you wake up in the morning (regardless of what time that actually is) can set the tone for the rest of your day. In this post, I want to explain the importance of moving your body in the morning.
The challenge of moving in the morning
Most folks will agree that the most difficult part of waking up in the morning is getting out of bed. Beds are a comfortable place to be. In the winter, they are warm. You’re lying down. Maybe your partner is still asleep beside you. Why would anyone want to move?
At the same time, your metabolism is at its lowest point; you haven’t eaten for several hours. So, for many reasons, it’s not easy to set your body in motion after being in a state of rest the night before.
Motion creates energy
The sooner you can get moving, the sooner you can speed up our metabolism and get our energy levels up for the day. When your metabolism is moving faster, you can think better, be more alert and get your day off to a great start.
How do you get moving in the morning?
As Newton’s law says, “a body at rest will stay at rest until a force is acted upon it.”
You need a force to make your body start moving in the morning.
When I was a kid my Mom would come into my room and pull the covers off my bed. I got cold and started moving. My guess is that most adults don’t have a mom or anyone else to pull off your covers every morning, so you’ll have to get creative with how you get your self-moving.
A few ideas to get you going
Here are a few ideas to get you moving in the morning:
Drink water before you go to bed. Drinking water before you go to bed means you will have to get up and go when you wake up. I have some supplements and medications that I take just before bed each night so I’m forced to drink water. Keep a bottle or a glass beside your bed or in your bathroom and after the teeth are brushed, have a nice deep drink.
Be sure to drink some water soon after you get up as well. You are naturally dehydrated after sleep and water is the best way to re-hydrate. After your water, then coffee or tea is fine.
Move your alarm clock across the room. Keep your alarm clock out of arm’s reach so that you will need to get up to turn it off.
Give yourself something to do in the morning. Have a time sensitive task that you need to complete in the morning. This will motivate you to get up and get it done in the morning. Often, not having anything to do is what keeps you in bed. Write down a routine of what you want to do in the morning.
Perhaps you want to meditate, or read, or write in your journal, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee before anyone else gets up. Whatever routine brings you the most joy and contentment is what you should be doing.
No matter what you decide to try to get yourself moving, remember that getting up and getting going is the key.
Publisher of Great Living Today, your one-stop source for greater living featuring tips, techniques, and programs in the areas of health & wellness, wealth, time management, business, love, relationships, and happiness. Marty is a life, business, and wellness coach helping his clients to live their best lives.