Have you ever tried to fit that workout in amongst a busy day, and on some days no matter how hard you try and scrunch up your day you just can’t make it happen? Although it may be all too easy to hit the snooze button, a gradual wake-up that includes physical activity can yield many benefits beyond the mere word of exercise. Whether it’s increasing your energy levels or enhancing your mental clarity, exercising in the morning can really impact your health and wellbeing. Let’s dive into the various reasons why morning workouts can be a game-changer for your lifestyle.
1. Boosts Energy Levels for the Day Ahead
The energy boost that comes from exercising early in the day is one of the most immediate benefits. After a good night’s sleep, your body is powered up and ready to go. Nervous system activity is directly related to your physical condition, so with physical activity like brisk walking, running, or strength training, blood circulation increases, and with it, the oxygen and nutrients to muscles and organs. Greater blood flow also makes your body more efficient and gives you the energy boost you need to power through your day.
A morning workout will wake your body up in a way that coffee cannot. You might feel tempted to sip a cup of coffee to jumpstart your morning, but studies have found that exercise provides a longer-lasting surge of energy and can help you feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to tackle your day. Also, doing a workout at the start of the day will give you a feeling of accomplishment, leaving you motivated and productive.
2. Improves Mental Clarity and Mood
It has been established for quite some time that engaging in physical activities can be beneficial for one’s mental health, and this includes your exercise at the start of the day. After all, exercising leads to the body releasing endorphins, which are natural substances that elevate mood and help reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. This phenomenon is called ‘runner’s high’, but it relates to any physical activity
When the day begins with exercising, people are able to develop a better attitude which follows through for the rest of the day. Numerous individuals have stated that their mental clarity is greatly improved through exercise in the morning. You will feel more alert, creative and able to solve problems instead of feeling tired or mentally clouded. This improvement in brain function is very useful when you are going to address intricate issues or have many things to do in a day.
These exercises do come with a cost as they do help with relieving tension first thing in the morning which plays a crucial role in helping with boosting one’s mental health as time passes. Making it a daily ritual to work out is a form of setting a balance for the rest of the day so that you do not feel overworked or stressed to a point where it becomes overwhelming.
3. Fosters Consistency in Your Fitness Routine
One of the hardest aspects for a lot of people regarding working out is making it a part of their routine. It is easy to forego exercise sessions due to a tight schedule and by the end of the day, motivation levels tend to drop. However, once a morning exercise is added into the routine, the same problems are less likely to occur. Morning workouts helps in providing structure and inculcating discipline, which in turn helps with achieving the set fitness goals.
By treating morning workouts as an indispensable aspect of your routine, you make it possible for the rest of your day to have its own set of priorities. For many people, the reason for not cancelling on working out in the morning is work, family responsibilities and social commitments. Furthermore, the earlier you wake up and start engaging in physical activity, there is a greater chance of preventing feeling tired later on.
4. Enhances Sleep Quality
It is true that exercising in the morning improves the quality of your sleep, as these two remain interconnected in one way or the other. With regular physical activity, especially in the early hours of the day, the body is able to maintain its circadian cycle and thereby sleep better at night and wake up feeling refreshed. Studies show that people who work out regularly either take lesser time to sleep, sleep deeper, and have lesser interruptions during the night.
However, working out late in the night can negatively affect sleeping patterns. Evenings with an excess hour spent toiling may mobilize the body’s warm instincts in which case, sleep may become more elusive. Your body, filled with an excess of adrenaline working out late causes an imbalance, making over-relaxation difficult. Rather, shifting the workout to the morning ensures sleep hours are improved and efficiently spent some much-needed recovery and time before feeling re-energized for the day to come.
5. Boosts Metabolism and Supports Weight Loss
For the early-morning gym enthusiasts, there is good news, everyone, it is no secret that working out comes with its benefits and enhancing your metabolism is just one of those perks. Regardless of the time you go for a workout, exercise brings your heart rate up and puts you in a position to burn calories, however, after a workout ends, the heart does tend to take a break but only for some time. This lasting effect of raised heart rate is called excess post exercise oxygen consumption, in short EPOC. The body continues to burn calories two, three hours or sometimes even longer, after the workout has ended.
When you work out in the morning, your metabolism receives a boost that can aid you in burning more calories during the day. If someone is trying to shed pounds or is attempting to maintain a certain weight, working out in the early hours can assure that the desired goals are met. Implementing early morning exercises with a balanced diet can prove to be a life long solution while trying to keep an eye on your weight.
The time of the day you decide to hit the gym can also aid in appetite control. People who work out are less likely to indulge in overeating since exercise regulates hunger hormones, which implies that you are more likely to keep steady regardless of the time of day. Eating better and avoiding needless munching can allow you to consolidate your fitness targets throughout the day.
6. Creates a Sense of Accomplishment
One of the best ways to really get your day started is to hit the gym. The key benefit I find is it makes me feel accomplished, even before breakfast and even before tackling my to-do list, I end up doing something good for my body and mind. And that feeling of accomplishment helps to raise self-esteem which is super important for a successful day.
Hitting the gym in the morning can gain snowball effect as well. If you have completed one task, it makes it easier to attack other tasks which means you have a more and fulfilling day. This strategy of beginning with the big task can also be self- reinforcing, because once you begin checking off your responsibilities, many things seem easy to manage.
Tips to Make Morning Workouts Easier If you’re new to morning workouts, it might be tough at first, but with a few adjustments, you can make the process easier:
- Prepare the night before: Lay out your workout clothes, shoes, and any necessary equipment. This minimizes the effort needed in the morning and eliminates excuses for not working out.
- Start small: Begin with shorter, easier workouts and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you become accustomed to morning exercise.
- Set a consistent wake-up time: Try to wake up at the same time every day to regulate your body’s internal clock and create a solid routine.
- Find an exercise you enjoy: Whether it’s yoga, Pilates, jogging, or weightlifting, choosing an activity you enjoy will make it easier to stick with your morning routine.
Conclusion
Starting your day with a workout can offer a multitude of benefits, from improved energy levels and mental clarity to long-term health benefits. By incorporating exercise into your morning routine, you can set a positive tone for the rest of your day, boost your mood, and stay consistent with your fitness goals. Whether you’re a morning person or not, a morning workout can become a habit that not only transforms your fitness but also enhances your overall quality of life. So, tomorrow morning, try setting that alarm a little earlier, lace up your sneakers, and reap the rewards of a morning workout routine!