According to the New York Post, “more than 60 percent of Americans rarely feel rested and energized in the morning. And to make matters worse, this daytime tiredness negatively affects 74 percent of respondents’ productivity.” Can you relate? How you begin your day is significant to your overall health, how the remainder of your day will play out, and how you feel. The good news is that employing some of the 28 healthy habits to begin your day listed below can help you feel energized and encourage you to continue healthy habits throughout the day.
It’s January, and most of those New Year’s Resolutions we made on January 1st will go by the wayside. But don’t you dare give up — let’s try again. First, pick at least two of the suggestions listed below and do them daily. It usually takes about 21 days to break or form a habit, although some experts don’t agree; I’ve found it true for most people, so try it and see if it works for you. Think about Mark Twain’s quote below – it will make you smile during those times you may want to give up.
“If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.” Mark Twain
28 Healthy Habits to Begin Your Day
Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day and how successful you will be. Below is a list of some excellent healthy habits to begin your day. Some are very easy, and some are a bit more extensive. Choose 2-3 to start with, and as soon as you realize they are now a habit that you don’t want to quit, add one or two more. In other words – Win Your Mornings!
- Stretch your body – Do a couple of stretches either before you get up or right after.
- Hydrate your body – Drink a glass of distilled water with lemon juice, organic apple cider vinegar, and raw honey.
- Make a healthy cup of coffee to drink outside on your deck. Drink in the beauty of nature.
- Spend ten minutes in meditation/prayer.
- Walk your dog.
- Make a glass of fresh, raw vegetable juice and drink.
- Take a quiet walk in nature. Listen to the sounds of nature.
- Take a rejuvenating shower and repeat some affirmations.
- Drink some herbal tea (not green tea) with lemon and raw honey.
- Healthy smoothie – include some healthy fats.
- Rebounding. 15 minutes on your mini-tramp is equivalent to 45 minutes of jogging!
- Listen to calming music.
- Make a gratitude list and add at least one entry every morning.
- Write in your journal.
- Practice breathing exercises such as Win Hoff breathing or mindful breathing.
- After your shower, dry body brush.
- Say some more positive affirmations.
- Look in the mirror and say, I love you! Do this every morning!
- Kiss your spouse and children and tell them that you love them.
- Wake up early so you have enough time to finish your morning routine without rushing.
- Open a window and breathe in fresh air while you make your bed and straighten your bedroom.
- Stay detached from your phone and social media for at least an hour.
- Write down your “To-Do List” for the day.
- Watch a short motivational video while drinking your coffee or smoothie.
- Establish a healthy skincare routine. Use all-natural skincare products.
- Listen to music while getting ready for your day. My personal favorite is the Mozart Effect – Heal the Body.
- Take your morning supplements and vitamins while drinking your morning healthy smoothie.
- Stop hitting the snooze button.
Bonus: Restful Sleep
Even though it’s not technically a morning habit, I cannot say enough about the importance of restful sleep. Before you can implement a few healthy habits to begin your day, the foundation of a rested body and mind will encourage you to get up and start your morning habits. How you feel when awake is contingent in part on your sleep habits. If you tend to wake up feeling groggy, irritable, or tired, you are most likely not getting the restful sleep your body requires.
During the sleep cycle, your body repairs and supports your physical health. Restful sleep plays a vital role in your overall well-being — including mental clarity and quality of life. On the other hand, sleep deficiency, usually defined as less than 8 hours of restful sleep each night, can have unfavorable effects on how you think, react, work, learn, and even your ability to get along with others.
If you are not getting enough restful sleep, please check out these articles: 101 Tips for Getting Healthy Sleep, How to Have a Sleep-Friendly Bedroom, and Are Your Hormones Causing Sleep Issues?
After several nights of restful sleep, you will begin to feel refreshed in the mornings and enthusiastic about starting your healthy habits for the day.
And Finally…
Good health, happiness, and a fulfilling life often stem from embracing simple, consistent habits. Starting your day with healthy routines may require commitment, focus, and patience, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Remember, it’s not about speed; it’s about steady progress. Small, intentional changes to support your overall health and well-being can lead to meaningful transformations over time. You’re laying the foundation for achieving great things in your life by creating positive habits. You’ve got this—take the first step today!
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace your doctor’s advice. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.
