Morning Rituals That Will Make You Feel More Awake
Stop pressing your snooze button and pep yourself up for the day ahead with these no-caffeine-necessary tricks
Sometimes it’s a struggle getting out of bed in the morning, especially if you had a late night or a restless sleep. While many people swear by a steaming hot cup of coffee (or two) as soon as they wake up for a morning boost, not everyone is a fan of the bitter, brown stuff – myself included. Luckily, for those of us who don’t enjoy the taste of espresso or are reformed caffeine addicts, there are loads of other energy-boosting tricks to shrug off sleepiness and prepare yourself for the day ahead.
Finish your shower with a blast of cold water
To enhance the energising effect of a morning shower, crank up the cold water just before you’re about to step out and towel off. The change in temperature will stimulate and invigorate the body and mind, plus the cold water will help improve your blood circulation (ever wonder why supermodels swear by splashing cold water on their face?) and immune system, and has been proven to reduce stress, too.
Showers you’d want to spend hours in
To enhance the energising effect of a morning shower, crank up the cold water just before you’re about to step out and towel off. The change in temperature will stimulate and invigorate the body and mind, plus the cold water will help improve your blood circulation (ever wonder why supermodels swear by splashing cold water on their face?) and immune system, and has been proven to reduce stress, too.
Showers you’d want to spend hours in
Surround yourself with stimulating scents
While there are scents like lavender and vanilla that induce relaxation and sleep, there are also natural fragrances that make you feel alert and energised. Citrus fruits (lemon, in particular), rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint and eucalyptus are all scents that will stimulate your mind and make you feel less lethargic. Try incorporating these scents and flavours in room mists, spritzes, shower gels and even your morning tea.
While there are scents like lavender and vanilla that induce relaxation and sleep, there are also natural fragrances that make you feel alert and energised. Citrus fruits (lemon, in particular), rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint and eucalyptus are all scents that will stimulate your mind and make you feel less lethargic. Try incorporating these scents and flavours in room mists, spritzes, shower gels and even your morning tea.
Open your blinds or curtains
Sunlight stimulates your body’s internal clock and tells it when it’s time to wake up. Instead of reluctantly flooding your room with light as soon as you wake up, leave your blinds or curtains open a smidge before you go to bed so the morning sun can filter into your room and rouse you gently and gradually from your sleep.
Sunlight stimulates your body’s internal clock and tells it when it’s time to wake up. Instead of reluctantly flooding your room with light as soon as you wake up, leave your blinds or curtains open a smidge before you go to bed so the morning sun can filter into your room and rouse you gently and gradually from your sleep.
Eat a hearty, protein-rich breakfast
Protein-packed foods like eggs, Greek yoghurt, avocado, oats and peanut butter are great sources of energy, plus they fill you up and keep your appetite in check during the day. If you’re a ‘cereal bar on the go’ kind of person, plan ahead; cook up some boiled eggs to munch on during your morning commute.
Protein-packed foods like eggs, Greek yoghurt, avocado, oats and peanut butter are great sources of energy, plus they fill you up and keep your appetite in check during the day. If you’re a ‘cereal bar on the go’ kind of person, plan ahead; cook up some boiled eggs to munch on during your morning commute.
Practise energising yoga poses
If doing vigorous exercise early in the morning isn’t your thing, try doing an energising yoga routine instead. There are lots of different yoga poses that will help you feel centred, focused and fired up for the day ahead, including sun salutation sequences, downward dog, triangle pose and warrior II pose. Yoga poses like these will also elongate the spine, awaken the nervous system and improve blood circulation.
Dream yoga rooms
If doing vigorous exercise early in the morning isn’t your thing, try doing an energising yoga routine instead. There are lots of different yoga poses that will help you feel centred, focused and fired up for the day ahead, including sun salutation sequences, downward dog, triangle pose and warrior II pose. Yoga poses like these will also elongate the spine, awaken the nervous system and improve blood circulation.
Dream yoga rooms
Drink H2O
Forget about drinking a cup of coffee – downing a glass of water will help fight fatigue, too! Your body loses water while you sleep, which can cause dehydration and make you feel tired when you wake up. Drinking a glass or two or H2O every morning will rehydrate the body and deliver an instant morning pick-me-up. Plus, it will also flush out toxins, boost the immune system and make your complexion look healthier.
If you want a hint of flavour, add a slice of lemon to your water. The tart, acidic fruit will not only make the liquid more palatable but will help cleanse the liver; boost brain and nerve function; and regulate your … ahem … bowel movements, too.
Forget about drinking a cup of coffee – downing a glass of water will help fight fatigue, too! Your body loses water while you sleep, which can cause dehydration and make you feel tired when you wake up. Drinking a glass or two or H2O every morning will rehydrate the body and deliver an instant morning pick-me-up. Plus, it will also flush out toxins, boost the immune system and make your complexion look healthier.
If you want a hint of flavour, add a slice of lemon to your water. The tart, acidic fruit will not only make the liquid more palatable but will help cleanse the liver; boost brain and nerve function; and regulate your … ahem … bowel movements, too.
Stimulate your mind
While exercising in the morning will make you feel more alert and invigorated, working out your brain will also rouse you from your drowsy state. Try tackling a crossword, playing a word game app (Lumosity is great for brain games), writing in your journal or doing another activity that will stimulate and awaken the mind over breakfast or on your morning commute. You can even download alarm clock apps that force you to solve a maths puzzle before you can turn it off.
While exercising in the morning will make you feel more alert and invigorated, working out your brain will also rouse you from your drowsy state. Try tackling a crossword, playing a word game app (Lumosity is great for brain games), writing in your journal or doing another activity that will stimulate and awaken the mind over breakfast or on your morning commute. You can even download alarm clock apps that force you to solve a maths puzzle before you can turn it off.
Play upbeat tunes while you get ready
I don’t know about you, but listening to peppy, toe-tapping music while I get ready in the morning never fails to make me feel energised, happy and ready to tackle the day. If you’re not a fan of Top 40 tunes, pop on any playlist or radio station that will get you gee’d up and motivated.
I don’t know about you, but listening to peppy, toe-tapping music while I get ready in the morning never fails to make me feel energised, happy and ready to tackle the day. If you’re not a fan of Top 40 tunes, pop on any playlist or radio station that will get you gee’d up and motivated.
Wake up at the same time every morning
While we all love a weekend lie in, clocking extra time between the sheets on your days off may make you feel more sluggish come the working week. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule every day will help your body fall into a natural rhythm so you drift off easily at night and gently wake up in the morning, without always having to rely on an alarm.
While we all love a weekend lie in, clocking extra time between the sheets on your days off may make you feel more sluggish come the working week. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule every day will help your body fall into a natural rhythm so you drift off easily at night and gently wake up in the morning, without always having to rely on an alarm.
Munch on an apple
As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but did you know this fruit can help you feel more awake, too? This is because the natural sugars in apples will pep you up, while the fruit’s carbohydrate content provides a hit of energy and helps stabilise your blood sugar levels. Bananas and oranges are two other energy-packed fruits you might like to add to your morning meal.
TELL US
What do you do to feel more awake in the morning? Tell us your secrets in the Comments!
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As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but did you know this fruit can help you feel more awake, too? This is because the natural sugars in apples will pep you up, while the fruit’s carbohydrate content provides a hit of energy and helps stabilise your blood sugar levels. Bananas and oranges are two other energy-packed fruits you might like to add to your morning meal.
TELL US
What do you do to feel more awake in the morning? Tell us your secrets in the Comments!
MORE
Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
Tiny Hacks That Make Life a Tad Better
How to Create Your Own Spiritual Retreat at Home
While exercising a few hours before bed will help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep, getting your blood pumping in the morning will have the opposite effect and make your body and mind feel energised and alert; plus it will boost your metabolism and endorphins (a hormone that makes you feel happier and less stressed), too. If the thought of facing the cold walk to the gym fills you with dread, set up a workout zone at home – it can be as easy as bringing in a yoga mat and a medicine ball.
Simple additions for your home workout zone