It’s dark and cold, and your bed is the only place you want to be, so why is it necessary to get out of it and get moving? There are so many reasons why exercise should be part of your morning routine and they are definitely worth getting out of bed for.
- Time just for you:
When you wake up early to go the gym, morning walking or even to do a home workout, you are finding some time that is just for you. You will have fewer things to distract you from your goals, such as a call from your best friend asking to do something, or your partner needing something from the shop, and you have less time to find an excuse not to workout.
- Less time to change your mind:
We will spend our entire day rationalising why we don’t need to do any exercise and by the end of the day, our workout clothes stay in the workout bag and our salad has been exchanged for a more enticing pasta dish. By prioritising exercise and doing it before anything else, you are more likely to get it done.
- Set yourself up for healthy choices:
In 2018 a study in the International Journal of Obesity found that students that stuck to a workout routine made healthier food choices (1), therefore, getting active in the morning could support your food choices for the rest of the day.
Moving in the morning can also increase your overall activity for the day (2). Similarly to how making your bed first thing in the morning supports your productivity levels, as you have already accomplished something, exercising in the morning also means you have achieved something before your day has properly started.
- Improved sleeping pattern:
Another benefit to being active in the morning is that it may improve your sleep cycle. A morning exercise habit can shift your circadian rhythm which ultimately helps you fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier, ready to exercise again (3).
- Good for your mental wellbeing:
Finally, being active in the morning has been linked with reduced levels of stress and depression as it kickstarts your endorphins (happy hormones) which sets the tone for the rest of the day, making you feel more positive and less stressed (4).
So, overall, there are a lot of benefits to being active during your morning routine, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Maybe start by getting up 15 minutes early for a quick Yoga session or even a brisk walk around the local park.
