Morning exercise boosts mood, supports better sleep, helps you make healthier choices throughout the day, and focuses on prioritizing self-care.
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| Exercising in the morning helps form good habits. (Source: The New York Times) |
Helps avoid distractions.
Noel Miller, a trainer at Row House, emphasizes the benefits of morning exercise: "Exercising in the morning before making phone calls, starting meetings, answering emails, greeting family, or tackling anything on your to-do list means you're getting your workout started before anything else might come up to disrupt it."
Boost your mood, create a positive tone for the day.
Exercise is an effective way to naturally improve your mood. Therefore, exercising in the morning can help you maintain a positive attitude throughout the day.
"Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that can create the 'runner's euphoria,' bringing about feelings of joy or great pleasure. It can also help you feel relaxed and calm," Miller said.
"Not everyone experiences this feeling of exhilaration, but for those who exercise early in the morning, it's a great way to start the day."
Supports better sleep
Juanita Franke, principal instructor and trainer at the Charlottesville Pilates Club in Virginia (USA), explains: "Morning exercise helps you catch up with your body's circadian rhythm. Cortisol, the main stress hormone, can peak in the morning and gradually decrease throughout the day as the body prepares for sleep."
By exercising in the morning, you can take advantage of this and be active when cortisol levels are highest, rather than in the evening, when cortisol levels drop in preparation for sleep.
Adjusting your workout routine to align with your body's natural circadian rhythm will help you feel more alert and productive during the day, while promoting better sleep at night.
Helps to form better habits
Franke explained: "Morning workouts provide a structured and consistent routine because they are less likely to be interrupted by unexpected events or work-related issues that might arise later in the day."
Consistency is key to forming any habit, and morning exercise helps establish a regular routine, potentially making workouts a natural part of your daily routine.
Facilitating healthier choices
Starting your day with a vigorous workout will leave you energized and with the right mindset to make healthy choices throughout the rest of the day.
Franke said, "People who exercise regularly tend to make healthier food choices and adopt other positive lifestyle habits."
In a study conducted in 2018, it was found that people who engaged in physical activity before meals tended to choose more nutritious foods.
Although the exact reasons behind this behavior remain unclear, exercising in the morning can inspire healthier choices throughout the rest of the day.
Help to focus more on self-care.
It's easy to put off self-care when you have a busy schedule. But by starting your day with an invigorating morning workout, you're putting your health and fitness first.
"Starting your day with exercise sends a message to yourself and others that self-care is a top priority."
"And when you take care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to take care of other things and other people in your life," Miller said.
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