No matter how you feel when you wake up, there is always something you can do to exercise your body and mind to get you set up for an excellent day ahead. Listen to your body and do whatever you think is reasonable for your morning and your situational and physical limitations. Not sure where to start? Here are some suggestions for morning exercises to start your day off right.
See also: Summer Activewear Sets You’ll Actually Want To Work Out In
Welcome the Sun with Yoga
A personal favourite of mine is doing yoga in the morning. Sunrise yoga is incredibly unique if you can wake up early enough, however, any time you wake up and step on your mat will provide the same benefits. Yoga is an incredible exercise that can be modified for every skill level, physical limitation, desired result, flexibility level, or general interest for that given day. The deep stretch, strength training, and flexibility practice are just some of the benefits yoga has to offer. Getting on your mat first thing in the morning for exercise will certainly put you in the right mindset and physical space for whatever day you have planned.
ADVERTISEMENT |
Get Outside for a Walk
Try getting outside as soon you wake up for a walk around the neighbourhood. It may seem like a lot of effort at the moment to check the weather and find the correct outfit, but I promise it will be worth it. Filling your lungs with fresh air will wake you up from the inside out, and a mild walk will comfortably loosen your joints for the day ahead. Your mind will also have a chance to wake up slowly. while still being stimulated by the positive endorphins of walking. This change of scenery and mild exercise will certainly start your day off on the right foot.
Get a Good Stretch
If Yoga isn’t your thing, you can always find a guided stretch class online or simply move your body in however it feels most natural to get the stretch you need. If you are listening to the limitations of your body, you can twist yourself into almost any position needed. The stretch can also be modified to include some strength training if you are feeling energetic, or it can be done in bed if you’re having a bit of a slower start to your day!
Exercise Your Mind
If physical exercise isn’t exactly what you’re looking for on a given day, there are several exercises you can do to work a different muscle – your brain. Reading in bed for 30 mins, listening to a podcast while getting ready for work, completing a sudoku puzzle with your morning coffee, or even playing a memory game on your phone are all great ways to wake up your brain for the day ahead.
Morning Jog
If you really want to jolt energy into your joints, go for a morning jog or run. This exercise is high effort, high reward. My body never feels better than after putting in the work and going on a run. It can be hard to motivate yourself to go on a run sometimes, but it is incredibly worth it. If accessible to you, jogging or running will release endorphins like none other and set you up on a high for the day.
ADVERTISEMENT |
Featured Image: kike vega