How To Start Your Morning Routine
What is the first thing you do when your alarm goes off in the morning? Do you hit the snooze button - scroll through social - or check what emails came in overnight?
There are better ways to start your morning! Instead of jolting yourself awake, you can create a better experience with a refreshing 5-minute routine.
With a bit of movement, mindful breathing, and achievable goal setting, you can set yourself up to have a successful day!
Stretch & Breathe: Minute 0:01 - 1:00
Your alarm is going off. Instead of hitting the snooze button, turn your attention to your simple routine to easily transition you from asleep to awake.
During your first minute, focus only on stretching and breathing. Imagine touching your two opposing walls with your fingers and toes. Raise your hands over your head, reach for your headboard, and then stretch your toes as far as they will go towards the opposite wall. Hold this pose for ten seconds as your body starts to wake up.
Next, roll over to your stomach and prepare for Cat and Cow yoga poses. Get into the Table position by placing your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Start to stretch your body by dropping your head between your arms as your back arches towards the ceiling. Hold this pose for five seconds while taking in a long, steady breath. Then lift your chin toward the ceiling and drop your belly towards your bed. As you move into this position, slowly release your breath, so your body feels empty. Hold this pose for five seconds.
As you continue to stretch through the Cat and Cow pose, take slow, steady breaths to fill your blood with fresh oxygen. These soft movements will wake your body up gradually.
Get Your Blood Flowing: Minute 1:01 - 2:00
Now it's time to really wake up! Get out of bed and try windmills or jumping jacks to get your heart pumping. Dynamic stretches help to warm up the body quickly.
Whichever activity you decide to do, make sure you are moving steadily through the movements. And remember to breathe! A meaningful breath will ensure your body is receiving enough oxygen for the activity you are performing.
Make Your Bed: Minute 2:01 - 3:00
After you finish your dynamic stretches, check off your first to-do with this easy win! Making your bed every morning helps you start the day off with something already being accomplished.
Set Your Day: Minute 3:01 - 5:00
With something already crossed off your to-do list, you can keep that winning streak running by setting your day. Grab a pen and paper to write down three things you want to accomplish during your day.
We all know - our actual to-do list is never-ending. This list is your top three priorities that you are sure you can accomplish today.
These can be things like: running three miles, making a healthy lunch, or completing an essential work task.
Committing to three obtainable tasks provides an important guide for what you need to focus on throughout the day. And crossing items off of your list means that your day is a success, no matter what life throws at you.
You can set the path for your day in just five minutes. With an easy routine like this, you can ensure your first couple of minutes are used productively.
Want to take your morning routine to the next level? Stop by Declaration Fitness for a morning workout! Don't let the day divert your progress. Focus on your fitness journey and meet your goals by making your training a priority.
Declaration Fitness is more than a workout. Faith, Family, and Fitness are a way of life for us! Our athletes are family and we eagerly wait to help reach new PRs, first pull-ups, achieve goals, and overcome other obstacles. Let us help pave the way to be the best that you can be.
Declaration Fitness is located at 1909 Old Mansfield Road, Wooster, Ohio. Our CrossFit Gym offers many classes and workout opportunities Monday - Saturday. Follow us on social at Facebook and Instagram to learn more about our community!