Kick-start your day with these healthy habits

You know the feeling: your alarm has gone off for the fifth time, and no
matter how many times you hit “snooze,” it’s just impossible to get going
in the morning. Believe it or not, there are more ways than downing a cup
of coffee to get yourself moving.

Here are five easy, healthy ways to begin each day:

1. Watch the clock

Going to sleep and waking up around the same time each day (even weekends)
will help you be ready to go each morning. A regular sleep schedule will
result in your

circadian rhythm, biological clock, and the actual clock lining up, naturally waking you up
at the right time each morning, so it will be much easier to roll out of
bed. Just make sure you get around eight hours of sleep every night.

2. Start the night before

It’s not just how long you’re asleep that makes a difference, but the

quality of sleep

you get, too. That means avoiding a few things

before you get into bed: don’t exercise or eat a large meal close to bedtime, and avoid the
computer, television, and phone screens just before you sleep. Establishing
a

solid bedtime routine

means your body will be ready to rest once you get into bed.

3. Caffeinate differently

Some of us just aren’t morning people, and no matter how good our sleep
hygiene is, it will still take a little jolt to get moving. But that
doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to endless cups of coffee each
morning, especially if you’re the type of person who loads up with cream or
sugar. Try a caffeinated tea,
instead: tea has a number of

health benefits

that coffee does not, but still has enough of a kick to wake you up.

4. Fuel up right

Every grade schooler in America knows

breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But there’s a big difference between diving into a bowl of sugary cereal
and the

fuel that prepares you for a productive day. Yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit will do more than just give you the
calories you need for the morning: a breakfast like that will promote
digestive health and give you a good chunk of the nutrients you need daily.

Oatmeal, also with some fresh fruit, is another great meal for the winter months.

5. Exercise

It might be hard to drag yourself to the gym or get out the door for a run
first-thing in the morning, but there’s almost no better way to start your
day. Beyond all the

benefits of exercise

at any time, the endorphins and energy from a workout will last well into
your day.

For most people, the morning has a defined end point: beginning the work
day or heading off to school. That means the period after you wake up can
feel like a harried rush against the clock,

especially if you have kids. So, here’s a bonus habit:

Bonus: Set a schedule and stick to It

The need to get out the door and get going can

make mornings stressful, and while it might be energizing in the moment, it’s exhausting and can
spill into the rest of your day. Set a defined wake-up time and schedule
for each morning and you’ll find yourself moving a bit easier and feeling

less stressed. Plus, it’s the best way to make sure you have the time for the other
healthy habits above.

These tips can’t guarantee you’ll become a morning person, but they will
help you start your day in a healthy way, ensuring you’re ready to take on
whatever the world wants to throw at you.