Very few people jump out of bed with the energy of a toddler, ready to take on the day ahead. In most cases, it takes a big cup of Joe to get the wheels turning. Even still, extra espresso may be needed… or tiny toothpicks to keep your eyelids open through the AM slump.
The sucky part about waking up? Morning fatigue is real. The good news we can pair with this dramatic *sarcastic cough, sarcastic cough* revelation? We know how to fight it with natural energy boosting tricks. Check ‘em out below.
Drink Some H2O
After hours of sleep, your body can be compared to that of a deflated balloon. If left alone for too long, the balloon will lose air and dwindle on the ground. To re-inflate, you have to add O2.
Well, the same similar situation happens with your body. After hours of no water intake, the cells inside can start to feel dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up can rehydrate them, boosting your energy levels naturally.
A good 16-ounce cup can also kickstart your metabolism, flush out toxins, and pump necessary vitamins throughout your body to boost your immune system (just add lemon!).
Create and Perform a Simple Stretch Routine
Did you know that stretching can quickly warm up muscles and promote circulation in the body? These two occurrences can help you wake up quickly and efficiently.
Just think about the last time you had a good nights’ sleep. You probably opened your eyes, elongated your legs, and raised your arms above your head. A yawn or slight body moan could’ve escaped your mouth. Within seconds, you had more energy to jump out of bed like a spring chicken and start your morning routine.
Now imagine what could happen if you set aside 5 minutes at the start of everyday to perform yoga poses or stretch out on a mat?
Add Some Deep Breathing to Your Morning
Boosting energy early in the day is important. But what if we told you that you could also reduce stress and improve mental clarity with this little trick?
Practice deep breathing. That’s right, come up with a breathing routine that works for you. Use guided techniques on YouTube, research common step-by-step’s that work, and request suggestions from your PCP or mental healthcare professional.
A few minutes every day can easily increase the O2 flow to your brain, allowing you to access all sorts of benefits. Not just extra energy. Woot woot!
Turn the Shower Nozzle to Cold
Ooof… a cold shower first thing in the morning? Sounds like H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. Shivering and shaking does not seem pleasant at the start of the day. Right?
Wrong. It’ll actually shockingly energize your body – and all it takes is a solid 15 seconds.
We’re not suggesting extraordinary torture, after all. Take your steamy shower per usual, and adjust the temperature right before you’re ready to step out. Not only will you feel super awake, but you’ll also experience a rush of endorphins and decrease in overall muscle tension. We call that a win-win.
Prioritize Protein Intake at Breakfast
Say no to the cereal, pancakes, and waffles at B-fast. Instead, say yes to the bacon, eggs, and cottage cheese.
You see, a protein-rich breakfast provides the body with necessary nutrients to get your bones moving – and, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar. No spike in blood sugar = stable energy levels.
What’s more is that stable energy levels = no crash later on in the day. All in all, that means that upping your protein intake in the AM is the best way to keep your mind and body in check for a productive day.