Do you start your morning with a grumpy mood, reduced energy levels, and low morale? If yes, you are not alone. Many people complain about morning fatigue with high mood swings despite having sufficient sleep hours. People who suffer from morning stress experience high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone in our body. This results in reduced productivity throughout the day and impaired cognition as well.
Here arises a question: How can I feel good in the morning and improve my overall efficiency? You need to start a healthy morning routine for mental health by incorporating some effective strategies. Stay here to learn about them in detail.
5 Positive Ways to Start Your Day
Are you confused about how to start your morning positively? Then, start practicing these self-care tips one by one in your routine for the magical transformation.
- Taking Natural Supplements
Different dietary supplements help with morning stress by reducing stress hormone levels. They are composed of different natural ingredients, like vitamin D, ashwagandha, and CBD for stress-relieving properties. Such natural gummies are best to take after breakfast for mental alertness.
However, before taking such supplements, you need to consult your medical health provider. Some herbal ingredients reduce the effectiveness of other medications, so you need to ensure their safety.
- Yoga or Meditation
Yoga or a meditation session at the start of the day is one of the most effective activities that makes your whole day productive. It helps you improve concentration and attention span without getting distracted.
This is also an effective way to deal with high-stress symptoms when you wake up. It is also helpful in developing inner peace despite the outside chaos. It has been proved that meditating for just 5 to 15 minutes daily results in lower anxiety and high self-awareness.
- Enough Water Intake
Dehydration is one of the main factors behind mental sluggishness and an irritated mood. When we wake up after 6 to 8 hours of sleep, our body gets dehydrated as we don’t usually drink during this period. So, the first thing to do in the morning is to get enough water. Hydration also helps with better cognition and decision-making.
You may take it in liquid form, such as milk, juice, plain water, etc. Avoid drinks with artificial flavors or too much sugar, as these are also harmful to mental alertness.
- Physical Activity
Start your day with any physical activity like stretches, brisk walks, jumping jacks, weight-lifting, etc. They make you feel better with hormonal balance and result in mental sharpness. They boost oxygen circulation in the blood and higher mental functioning.
For beginners, starting with just a 10-minute walk and increasing the time works fine. This morning routine is also effective in reducing sleep-related issues, which ultimately results in better mental health.
- Exposure to Bright Light
Exposing yourself to bright sunlight for the first 10 to 15 minutes after waking up is also an effective way to improve mental health. Signaling the brain about the daytime by switching on a lamp or bulb is also an alternative to sunlight. It is also helpful for having more focus and higher efficiency at work, resulting in better mood regulation. People who feel depressed when they wake up are recommended to spend some time outside for maximum light exposure.
Bottom Line
Everyone dreams of starting their day with positive energy and mental clarity. All the strategies mentioned above are quite effective for setting a morning routine for depression and coping with stress symptoms. Remember that these simple steps are only beneficial when you follow them consistently, so make them your habits and experience an energetic lifestyle.