By: Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
Have you ever heard the expression “got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning” when things aren’t going your way, and you’re super moody? How you start your day can transfer over into every aspect until you lay your head down to sleep at night. A well-planned morning routine can set the tone for the entire day by helping to establish a sense of structure and purpose.
In this article, we are going to look at different things you may want to incorporate into your morning routine to help you get productive, stay productive, and tackle whatever life throws in your direction. Additionally, all the things mentioned play a role in improving the grey matter in your brain, and we’ll also explain the benefits from that aspect.
How to Strategize Your Morning Routine to Set Yourself Up for Success
Below are some things you should add to your morning routine to help improve your overall mental and physical health.
1. Drink Water
When you wake up, your body is already slightly dehydrated since you laid in bed for several hours without a sip of anything to drink. Drinking water as part of your morning routine has more benefits than just rehydration.
Sure, dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the brain, which can negatively impact cognitive function and mental performance, but what else can happen when we aren’t properly hydrated?
Some evidence suggests that proper hydration can positively impact brain function, including the health of grey matter in the brain, which makes it an essential part of your morning routine. Grey matter is the part of the brain that contains the majority of the nerve cells and is responsible for processing information.
Research has shown that even mild dehydration can lead to decreased attention, working memory, and executive function. Studies on animals have also shown that adequate hydration can lead to an increase in the size of the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in memory and learning. So, drink a full glass of water as soon as you wake up as part of your morning routine.
2. Exercise
Exercise has been shown to improve brain function and the health of grey matter in the brain, which is why you should make your workouts part of your morning routine. 30 minutes a day, five days a week would be ideal.
Studies have found that regular physical activity can lead to an increase in the size of the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in memory and learning. It can also increase the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth and survival of brain cells and has been linked to improved cognitive function.
Aerobic exercise, in particular, has been found to have the ability to enhance brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting the growth of new blood vessels. Weight training can also improve brain function, as it has been linked to an increase in brain volume.
It is important to note that the effects of exercise on brain health are not limited to grey matter, studies have also found that regular exercise can also improve white matter in the brain, which is responsible for connecting different regions of the brain and facilitating communication between them.
3. Meditate
Adding meditation to your morning routine may also be a good idea if you want to start your day off on the right path. Even something as little as 10-15 seconds will do.
Meditation is beneficial when it comes to brain function and the health of grey matter in the brain. Studies have shown that regular meditation can lead to an increase in the size of the hippocampus and a decrease in the size of the amygdala, a region of the brain involved in stress and fear.
It has also been found that meditation can also increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, meditation has been found to increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making, attention, and self-control.
Wake Up HAPPY!
By applying the above into your morning routine can set you up for success. But if you want to take things a step further, consider adding Nuton Happy Cells to your morning routine.
Nuton Happy Cells can help improve strength during your workouts, boost your brain power throughout the day, protect your heart, fortify your DNA from damage, and slow your aging. You don’t have to take our word for it — try it for yourself and add it to your morning routine!