There is a common saying that goes “morning intentions are the best intentions” which means the purpose of your morning is the best and most important purpose or goal of your day.  How you start your morning has a huge influence on how the rest of your day will play out. I’m not just talking about the classic “eat a good, healthy breakfast” or “make sure you get plenty of sleep” although those do serve a good purpose.  I’m talking about how purposefully you wake up every morning and start your day. What habits do you have? What actions do you take? How do you feel in the morning? All things that have an impact on our mind, body, and attitude.  

In this weeks blog, I will be sharing four helpful habits for your morning routine to hopefully improve your physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual health.

Healthy Habit #1: A glass of hot water or green tea with lemon

First thing you should do when you wake up in the morning is to get a mug of hot water or tea with a wedge of lemon in it.  Doing this right away in the morning kicks off your day being hydrated which is very important all throughout the day. It also is a great source of vitamins, specifically vitamin C, and nutrients if you add green tea.  The hot water and lemon also kick starts your metabolism which is good for digestion and calorie burn all day.

Healthy Habit #2: Meditation/Prayer/Yoga

Many people underestimate the power of reflection, mindfulness and gratitude.  Whether you choose to lead a spiritual life or not, creating time for yourself at the beginning of the day to focus on your thoughts and awareness of your body is very important.  Some suggestions to do this would be listening to motivational, inspirational, spiritual podcasts in the morning as you’re getting ready for your day. Another may be putting on some instrumental music and taking 15 minutes to meditate.  One other may be coming to 6:30am group fitness yoga on Wednesdays during the week. You don’t have to try all of them, or do it every single day but slowly integrating something into your morning to be intentional about your body and mind is very influential. 

Healthy Habit #3: Positive self-affirmations

You might be reading this and thinking, really, Ashley?  This is so not for me. And sure, it might not be, but don’t knock it till you try it!  In a world where so many things suck the life out of you like work, school, family, friends, media, etc. it’s important to feed positive energy back into your brain and body.  Writing or saying allowed positive self affirmations is one great way to do that. Being appreciative of yourself, your body, your mind, and feeding yourself “good vibes” is food for your soul. Check out the link at the end for some affirmation ideas!

Healthy Habit #4: Not being on your phone when you wake up in the morning

When you wake up in the morning, what is your immediate, unconscious reaction?  It’s to check your phone, right? You pick up your phone and check your unread messages, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  to see what you missed in the last 5-8 hours of sleep. To better start your morning, instead of waking up each day worrying what the world is bringing you rather think about what you want to bring to the world.   

I hope you enjoyed these four healthy habits for your morning routine!  If you ever try out any of these remedies make sure to tag @warhawkfitness!

As always, stay fit, stay healthy, stay beautiful, Warhawks!

Talk soon, 

Ashley Borowski

Check out more information here:

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-lemon-water#hydration

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-shouldnt-check-your-phone-first-thing-in-the-morning-2016-5

https://theblissfulmind.com/2018/10/07/positive-affirmations-list/