We know that good mornings start with getting a good night's sleep, but it doesn't end there! If you want to start your day feeling refreshed and ready, you also want to pay attention to how you spend your mornings.
A good morning routine can wake you up and set you up for an energized, productive, and happy day ahead. And don't worry, having a morning routine doesn't mean you have to wake up at 5am, do an 18-step skincare routine, and run 10 miles (unless you want to, you do you!).
Having a morning routine is simple. All you need is to find the things that help you feel awake and fresh, and do them around the same time each day. This helps keep your body on a regular schedule and balance out your circadian rhythm. Want tips on how to have great mornings? Read on!
- It’s important to wake up around the same time each day in order to keep your body on a regular schedule. Yes, this means you probably want to avoid the snooze button! As good as it feels in the moment, sleeping in can throw off your entire circadian rhythm and cause lingering grogginess. If you're really having trouble getting up with your alarm, you might want to try going to bed earlier, or even setting your alarm for later.
- Stretch it out. Whether you just do a few stretches in bed or have a more established morning yoga routine, stretching your body in the morning gets your blood flowing and helps bring oxygen to your muscles and your brain. This increases your energy levels, gets your metabolic processes going, and can even help regulate cortisol, the stress hormone.
- Get some sunshine! Sunshine signals to your body that it’s time to wake up. Stand in front of a window, go out in your backyard, or sip your coffee on your balcony. Plus, getting adequate light exposure during the day actually regulates your circadian rhythm and helps you sleep better at night.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Most of us wake up at least somewhat dehydrated, which makes sense considering we’ve been asleep for hours! Drinking at least 8oz of water (bonus points if you add a squeeze of fresh lemon!) helps hydrate and wake up your body and digestive system. Plus, coffee and tea can actually dehydrate you further, so this is even more important if you’re also having a mug of your favorite caffeinated beverage.
- Don’t skip breakfast. When it comes to regulating your blood sugar and sustaining energy levels, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy, nourishing breakfast with a good balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats nourishes your body and brain for the day ahead.
Follow these tips and watch your mornings (and days) transform! If you’re still waking up groggy, take a look at your mattress. If it’s old or uncomfortable, it can be a lot harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and the sleep you do manage to get is more likely to be of poor quality. It's important to check in with the state of your mattress on a regular basis to see if it's supporting you, or working against you.
Additionally, sometimes we forget that we too change, and as we do, our ideal mattress changes with us. If you’re finding that you’re just not comfortable anymore, or are not getting the best sleep you can, it might be time to reevaluate. If you find that you do need a new mattress, our sleep experts will be glad to talk through your needs and guide you towards the best mattress for you.
If you find you're still having trouble after trying everything else, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about potential undiagnosed sleep disorders. Because sleep? It’s everything.
