5 Healthy Morning Habits You Can Start Today

When it comes to healthy habits most people go right to the all or nothing mindset. They think about what they have to give up versus what they can add in. Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t about completely taking out the unhealthy, it’s about adding in healthy things and eventually your body will only want healthy. When you get to that point, you’ll be able to have a treat or mommy drink (as I tell my daughter) and be happy with that and move on.

Yes, refined sugars and highly processed foods should be kicked to the curb , but if you only think about what you have to eliminate it will make it seem much more difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. So just begin with adding in small things at a time. Below I have some of my favorite things I love to incorporate into my morning that help lead me to a successful day.

1. Drink room temperature water after you wake. 

Your body has gone at least 8 hours without water so you're going to need to hydrate. Water is very important for many reasons. (I can share that a different day ;)) 

You can also add half of a squeezed lemon and sea salt. Sea salt will help with the absorption of water and lemon helps jumpstart your digestion. If you like a warm beverage in the morning, mix some filtered room temp water with hot water and add your lemon and sea salt.

2. Read a book/Bible.

Reading is great for so many reasons:

-Strengthens brain

-Reduces stress

-Builds vocabulary

-Prevents cognitive decline

-Alleviates depression

Pick up a book instead of your phone. I always recommend not picking up the phone for at least an hour after you wake. This will keep your screen time and stress levels down.

3. Exercise or walk.  

Starting your day with a good ole sweat sesh or even a walk can do wonders for your day. It not only will make you want to drink more water (makes it easier to get in your goal water intake), it will put you in a great mood and give you some energy.

4. Meditate or do breathwork before your work day begins.

This can calm you down before you get your day started. And if needed add it in when you feel anxious or overwhelmed. This will help put you into a rested state. I think we all need that from time to time. Here’s a great breathing technique I like to use:

First, exhale out of your mouth and then take a deep breath in through the nose mentally counting to 4, hold it in for the count of 7, and then exhale through your mouth for 8 counts. Repeat until you are chill.

5. Break your fast with a balanced meal.

Make sure to focus on protein, healthy fat,  and fiber. This will help keep your blood sugar and hormones balanced, saving you from that dreaded afternoon crash.

There you go! You now have 5 simple, healthy morning habits you can start today!