10 ways to become a morning person
Do you ever feel like coffee is taking over your life? It is often the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning. Which coffee shop will I go to today? What creative way will the barista spell my name today (I think Meri-death took the prize)? And then once I get my morning caffeine fix I start thinking about when I will get that second cup. Apparently, I am not alone. Americans consume 450 million cups of coffee each day (aka about 150 billion cups per year). According to one study, coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the SAD (Standard American Diet).
I want to be one of those morning people who greets everyone and whistles a tune as they get to work for the day. But I can’t even come close to that unless I chug some coffee. It’s a little depressing. However, there are alternative options to getting that jolt of energy you need besides a cup of coffee, a bottle of Diet Coke, or just injecting the caffeine directly into your veins. It will take some time before you jump out of bed and start singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” but you never know. We came up with some options you may want to try.
1. Yoga
It works and not just for Gwyneth Paltrow. There’s a reason many Yogis practice the Sun Salutation sequence to start their day. You get the boost without expending too much energy. Plus, yoga can literally help you be better at work. “Learning to train your mind to focus will help create clarity, productivity, and efficiency. This practice can also help you focus on things other than work, so that you’re mindful about creating time for attending to them,” Maren Showkeir, co-author of Yoga Wisdom at Work Finding Sanity off the Mat and on the Job told us.
2. Pump up the jams
Jump out of bed and turn on that music. Make a morning playlist. Scientists claim music can increase your endurance and boost your mood. Just be sure to choose peppy, upbeat music.
3. Drink more water
Water sounds like such a boring, lame alternative to coffee, but it can do wonders. “Hydrating first thing increases the chances that you’ll continue throughout the day and prevents dehydration, which causes fatigue,” Sara Ryba, a nutritionist in Scarsdale, New York told Real Simple.
4. Have a cup of ginger root tea
Ginger speeds up metabolism, circulation, and eases the digestion process overall. By doing all those things, we become more alert.
5. Wear red
Certain colors can put you in different moods and red can literally boost your energy. “Red lipstick is a source of strength,” says Poppy King, creator of Lipstick Queen. “You put it on and suddenly you feel more capable than you did without it.” According to Andrew Elliot, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, red helps enhance physical reactions because it is seen as a cue for danger.
6. Laugh
Laughter can be the best medicine and a great energy booster. Watch a funny video when you wake up or think of that story that always makes you laugh. I find having a funny show on in the background when I am getting ready for work helps me start the morning off right. Currently I am enjoying the early seasons of Cory and the gang on “Boy Meets World.”
7. Take a cold shower
Sounds terrible, but this is a surefire way to wake yourself up in the morning. If the Romans used to do it, then why can’t you? If you are not quite up for a cold shower just splash some water on your face.
8. Eat kiwi
Bananas and oranges are great but kiwi is a super food! According to Dr. Oz, a kiwi has 2.5 grams of fiber, which keeps you full and prevents energy lows when you’re hungry. The simple sugars will also give you a rush of energy.
9. Stay in the light
They told little Carol Anne in Poltergeist to “Stay away from the light!” but you need to be all up in it! Open those windows when you wake up. Sun exposure helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for good health. It also boosts serotonin levels, which can improve mood and help you sleep better.
10. Go on a run
This has always been a hard one for me, but any kind of morning exercise really does give you such a great energy for the rest of the day. You are totally awake, alert, and focused after a run. This in turn increases your productivity. Plus, your exercise is out of the way. No worrying about running after work!
By: Meredith Lepore
