Do you feel like you never have time to work out or that you’re just not making the most out of every session? Here’s a fitness tip we’d like you to consider: maybe the answer lies in when you choose to work out! Lots of people swear by the benefits of exercising in the morning, and here are some of the top reasons why!
Keep in mind that exercise should always be paired with healthy eating and nutrition to ensure that you make the most out of your efforts.
It Sets A Routine
As creatures of habit, we find comfort in knowing that our days have structure. Greeting every morning with a quick workout can serve as a jumpstart to your day. You can start with some basic stretches or a quick jog and gradually build up the amount of physical exertion as you go along.
It Presents Fewer Distractions
By doing it in the morning, you don’t have to worry about whether you have enough time for a workout. When you’re trying to squeeze it in between coming home from work and preparing dinner, or if you’re trying to get some gym time in before you arrive home, you’re just stressing yourself out to no end—making your workout sessions joyless and stressful.
Instead, you can focus exclusively on how your workout makes you feel and how well you will train your body by exercising in the morning!
It Boosts Your Energy
A lot of people believe that a morning workout gives them more energy than a cup of coffee! Morning workouts give an instant energy boost and an increase in your mental clarity, which will help you have a productive day at the office.
It Works With Your Hormones
Hormones that play an important part in building muscle mass exist at elevated levels during the early morning hours. You’ll be able to take advantage of these hormones as they are peaking and make the most out of your workout, instead of trying to work on getting gains later in the day when they’ve lowered.
It Improves Your Mood
Physical activity has been scientifically proven to reward you with a rush of happy chemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, that will relieve stress and inspire you for the day ahead.
Just the thought of starting your day with a small step towards a healthier lifestyle is already inspiring on its own.
It Improves Your Metabolism
Exercise can definitely help your body’s ability to digest food and process the nutrients it needs for a healthy lifestyle. When you work out in the morning, the exertion from your workout will allow you to burn more calories for the rest of the day. This phenomenon is referred to as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).
It Helps You Sleep Better
Working out can promote better sleeping habits because you translate your body’s excess energy into productive activity. However, the boost to endorphins that emerge after exercising in the evening may make it harder to fall asleep after. One study found that participants who exercised early in the morning, around 7 am, enjoy deeper and longer sleep than those who exercised in the afternoon or the evening.
It Lowers Blood Pressure
If you’ve already been exercising regularly to relieve hypertension, try doing a full workout in the morning! Research has found that people who worked out in the morning reduced their blood pressure by ten percent, and they maintained these levels through the remainder of the day.
It Improves Stress Relief
Exercise can help improve your mindset for a long day of work. It can relax your muscles, relieve tension, and lower your body’s cortisol levels responsible for causing stress.
It Helps You Lose Fat
Researchers from Japan found that fat oxidation occurs best in people who have exercised before they eat breakfast. Fat oxidation refers to the process by which large lipid molecules break down, which is what you’re going for when you want to lose weight. There have also been indications that this can reduce type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
It can be tough to train yourself to get up in the morning, but it’s important to remember how your perspective on what is difficult and what’s not is a matter of perspective. Start things slowly, be gentle with yourself, and celebrate the small gains. You’ll get there in no time!
Are you looking for more tips and tricks for better health habits and routines for your overall benefit? The Skinny is a free health newsletter that gives you timely updates on everything related to your personal wellbeing. Subscribe today and find out how we can support your workout routine!
