Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, we can all agree that no matter how we start our workday, our morning routine really sets the tone for how the day is going to go. And if you’ve kicked off the new year with meals from Snap, chances are you have a bit more time on your hands to consider a new morning routine.
What our morning routine looks like really depends on the person. And it’s not just one way or another depending on the person — it’s also entirely depending on the day; on the choices you make. There are mornings when you immediately get out of bed, pajamas still on, face unwashed, and frantically work until 1 pm. Then you’re completely burned out for the rest of the day. Then, there are those mornings when you take 5 minutes to meditate, stretch, or enjoy some lemon water— it’s on those days where you can work straight through the workday.
As we go into 2021 and establish healthy habits, there are plenty of ways to integrate morning rituals into your routine without completely disrupting the to-do’s you may already have planned out for the day. In fact, it’s been proven that maintaining healthy habits and a little bit of exercise can improve your sleep, decrease the risk of heart disease, assist your immune system, increase serotonin, boost your mood, and so much more.
So, let’s take it from the experts. We gathered quotes from these top fitness experts on how they start their day, so we can follow their lead.
1. Don’t hit that snooze button
“I wake up at 5:15 every day and never hit the snooze button, since studies show it actually throws your internal clock off, causing you to feel more tired. Before I get out of bed, I take a moment for two or three simple full-body stretches (extending arms overhead and legs long, followed by hugging my knees into my chest). While I do this, I repeat a positive mantra in my head: ‘I am grateful and thankful for the ability to move my body as I will today, and for the opportunity to impact lives as it is truly a gift.'” — Kira Stokes, creator of The Stoked Method, as interviewed for Shape Magazine.
2. Drink lots of water first thing in the morning
“My alarm is set for 4:15 every morning. As soon as I wake up, I drink three glasses of water and eat a small but nutritious breakfast (usually a banana and granola with almond milk and a cup of coffee or raw juice). After taking my dog on a run and hitting the shower, I leave for the gym by 5:30, whether I’m training a client or working out myself. I wasn’t a morning person until I figured out the right routine for me, but now I love to wake up before the sun rises because of the peace and stillness. I feel like I have a head start on the day and energy to motivate my clients.” —Remy Jhett, boxing coach and personal trainer at POE Yoga, interviewed for Shape Magazine.
3. Make good use of a foam roller
“On days when I’m not heading to work before my kids are up, I set my alarm 30 minutes to one hour before theirs to have a little ‘me’ time. I start with a large glass of water — it’s how I earn my coffee. Then I pull out the foam roller for some self-myofascial release while catching up on news — multitasking is everything! I’ve committed to spending a little time each day on mobility and getting it done first thing has proved very effective.” — Dara Theodore, Daily Burn 365 trainer and instructor at The Fhitting Room in NYC, as interviewed for DailyBurn.com.
4. Spend some time on your core
“I take five minutes for a mini abs session to check in with my core first thing in the morning. It helps me make healthier decisions all day long! Whether it’s what to eat at lunch, or whether or not to hit the gym after work, this puts me more in tune with my body and ready to treat it well!” — Katie Dunlop, the founder of Love Sweat and Fitness, as interviewed for DailyBurn.com.
5. Meditation and mindfulness is key
“I wake up at 4 a.m., make my bed, wash my face, rinse my hair and brush my teeth. Then, I make a smoothie (banana, flavorless protein powder, oats, avocado, cinnamon, local raw honey and unsweetened almond milk). I meditate, do yoga and stretch and write down three things I am grateful for, three goals and three emotions I want to practice today. Then, I check emails and media platforms. It all takes about 30 minutes total.” — David Joniak, OrangeTheory Fitness, as interviewed for Styleblueprint.com.
“Immediately upon waking, I smile big and think of something to be grateful for. Then, I go through a 10-minute deep breathing exercise. These practices allow me to get into a positive state of mind and primes my physiology beneficially at its most fundamental level for the day ahead.” — CK Chung, Evothrive
6. Get early morning sun exposure to help reset your circadian rhythm
“I take a walk first thing in the morning and try to wake up fully before turning on technology.” —Allison Wojtowecz, Paleo f(x)™
“Always morning full spectrum sunlight. And if the sun isn’t out for some reason, I do a sauna session which mimics full spectrum sunlight.” — TJ Anderson, Elevate Your State/The Art of Health Hacking
This year, as you begin to set your health goals, consider how these fitness gurus seamlessly blended their healthy routines into their morning or afternoon rituals. It doesn’t have to be a totally new thing — it can be a simple stretch while you work, or easy core moves while you cook. Whatever it is, it’s sure to set you up for success.
Ready to start your path to a nutritious lifestyle, but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, we can take it from here. Simply grab a 6-meal box, or a 12-meal box and get ready to put your nutrition on auto.
Leave a Reply
No Comments