4 Steps to a Healthier Morning Routine

“I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today” is a phrase we can all identify with, and it’s a common excuse to use when you’re not having the best of days.

A day can be bad for any number of reasons, but our mornings often set the tone for our afternoons and evenings. 

This is especially true when you’re dieting. Establishing a healthy morning routine can make all the difference when it’s time to check in on the scale.

If you slip up in the morning, it’s easier to make excuses all day long. If this is something you struggle with, then you’ll love these 4 tips for starting the day right.

Why Morning Routines Are Important

It's understandable to wonder whether morning routines really are that important. After all, you've made it through your entire life with your current morning routine. Do you really need to make any changes to it?

It all depends on what your morning routine looks like, but chances are you should make some adjustments. Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day, so it's very important to develop a routine that puts you on the path to achieving your health goals. 

You can’t build or add on to something that doesn’t have a foundation. Starting your morning by eating healthy, for example, makes it easier to continue that trend with your next meal. 

Mornings also give our bodies a natural spike of energy and cortisol, making it the perfect time to knock out some difficult tasks. Many people postpone the day's most difficult tasks until the evening, which posts problems. You're less energetic at the end of the day, making those tough tasks seem even tougher. 

The morning is also great for some "you" time. It's hard to press pause on your day once it begins. When was the last time you were able to take a break during the day? Most people struggle to even eat lunch without multitasking.

Another great thing about your morning routine is that it's a routine. Our bodies love routines. If you're consistent about waking up at the same time every day, you will help regulate your mood, hormones, and sleep-wake cycle. The more you do this, the more you’ll get used to it and eventually it will be effortless.

4 Things You Should Do Every Morning

Instead of letting your morning routine be a race to get to work, put your health first and build your morning around it.

1. Hydrate

What's the first thing you do when you wake up? If it's not drinking water, you might want to change that. After a long night without water, your body and mind will thank you for drinking 16 ounces. In addition to rehydrating your body, drinking water in the morning helps fire up your metabolism and powers your brain so it's ready for a productive day.

Not to mention, drinking water in the morning can help balance your appetite by making sure you're not actually dehydrated. This is such a simple, quick addition that anyone can add it to their existing morning routine.

2. Meditate

You know your day is going to be hectic and loud, so why not make sure you start it with some peace and quiet? Meditation will trigger your pituitary gland to secrete endorphins, which will make you feel great physically and emotionally.

Though it's easy enough to meditate at any time of the day or night, research indicates that mornings are ideal for this peaceful act. 

Here’s some more good news: Meditation doesn't have to take a long time. Though you absolutely can meditate for a long time, even 5 or 10 minutes of meditation can be hugely beneficial.

It's all too common to get out of bed and immediately reach for our smartphones. But excessive cell phone use is proven to increase stress and anxiety. Instead of fueling your anxiety, substitute your phone time for quick meditation so you’re calm and in control as you begin your day.

3. Exercise or Get Outside

Everyone is different, and there’s no “right” time to exercise, but it’s never a bad thing to get some blood pumping in the mornings. 

Studies show that people who exercise daily are more likely to make healthy food choices. What better way to set the tone for your day than by exercising?

Regular exercise is also great for boosting your energy and concentration, both of which can last throughout the day. If you often find yourself wishing you had more energy or focus, this could be exactly what your morning routine needs.

If morning exercises aren’t your cup of tea, then try to at least get outside and move around a bit. We’re often cooped up inside during work and evening hours, so some fresh air will do you good.

4. Make a Smoothie

Mornings are also the perfect time for a healthy smoothie. Other than 16 ounces of water, your stomach should be empty and ready to absorb nutritious superfoods after a night of fasting.

The question is… What kind of smoothie should you drink?

One of the best ways to kick off your mornings is to treat your stomach to a nutrient-dense greens smoothie. Take ourOrganic Pressed Greens, for instance. Oursmoothie recipes are packed with 20 organic green superfoods and ingredients to promote your health including kale, spinach, energizing cold-pressed wheatgrass juice, stress-busting adaptogens, alkalizing sea vegetables, and soothing digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Our greens smoothie is the perfect addition to a morning routine because it’s simple to make and prepares your body for a healthy day.

However, if you’re in the middle of one of ouraward-winning juice cleanses, your morning should consist of aVegan Vanilla Proteini smoothie at 8:00 AM followed by aRevive Beets + Roots smoothie at 10:00 AM.

Our Proteini smoothie is a perfect dose of protein that keeps you feeling full, activates your daily detox, and powers your day. Our Beets + Roots juice follows up to infuse your body with a vibrant and delicious source of clean energy that lasts. Starting your day with these makes it so much easier to continue your cleans throughout the day.

For more SMART lifestyle tips like this, visitwww.smartpressedjuice.com and follow us onInstagram andTwitter, or like us onFacebook. You can also visit ourAmazon store to stock up on our delicious juices.

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