The first thing you should ask yourself if your wake up sluggish, is are you getting enough sleep? I found some tips to help ensure that your body is resting probably. Make sure all electronics are shut off an hour before you lay down. This will allow your body to start getting into its natural sleep rhythm. Artificial lights from electronics can affect this natural pattern and decrease melatonin production, so your system doesn't feel sleepy. Another easy tip is to try to get your body into the same routine each day, waking up and going to bed at the same time.
Tip 2: Hour of Unplugged Time
What do you do for an hour of unplugged electronic time? Here are some suggestions! One thing you can do is get everything ready for the following day and put away anything still out from the adventures of the current day. Set your coffee pot the night before so that is one less thing you need to worry about in the morning. Some people like to pick out their clothes for the day and lay them out. Encourage your family members to do the same. When you wake up the house will be clutter-free! Getting your family into a routine of reading or just sitting down together and talking is also good to add to any routine.
Tip 3: Drinking water
Most of us don’t think about the fact that our body has just spent the past several hours losing water. Drinking a glass of water in the morning can help rehydrate your body! This will not only give your body what it's craving but give your stomach a slightly fuller feeling, allowing you to eat a little less for breakfast. It can also help alleviate morning constipation, revive fatigued muscles, and can help thin phlegm. Hydration is important!
Tip 4: Exercise in the Morning
Working out in the morning, rather than the evening, can help give you that extra burst of natural adrenaline each morning! If you can't get in a full workout, at least move around as much as possible during the morning. This will jump-start your body! Laying back in bed or sitting down at a table or desk will trick your body into remaining sedimentary. Your body will feel like it is still time to relax, giving you that sleepy, groggy feeling. Moving around will help warm up your muscles and improve your circulation. You are in charge of telling your body it's time to get ready for the day!
Feel free to leave any comments below as to what works and what doesn't as well as any other tips for an active healthy morning!