Practice the Morning Workout
Starting the day with a workout is an ideal way to get your brain waves and blood flowing. Exercising in the morning also floods your brain with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which stimulates the growth of new neurons to facilitate learning and memory.
Morning workouts enhance cognitive performance and activate the part of your brain associated with creativity and problem solving. They can help reduce anxiety and depression, leaving you in a better mood and ready to tackle the day's challenges.
There are many ways you can incorporate physical activity into your morning; a daily trip to the gym is great for many people, but even a quick walk outside or some stretching as soon as you get out of bed can make a big difference.
Here are some examples of physical activities that can be easy to do and helpful first thing in the morning:
Walking or Jogging: A brisk walk or light jog around your neighbourhood can help wake up your body and mind.
Stretching: Simple stretching exercises can improve flexibility, increase blood flow, and reduce muscle tension.
Yoga: A morning yoga routine can help you start the day with mindfulness and physical activity, improving balance, strength, and flexibility.
Bodyweight Exercises: Exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks can be done without any equipment and are great for building strength and endurance.
Dancing: Putting on your favorite music and dancing can be a fun and effective way to get your heart rate up and start the day with a smile.
Jumping Jacks: This simple exercise gets your blood pumping and can be done quickly to wake up your body.
Cycling: If you have a stationary bike or can go for a quick ride outside, cycling can be an invigorating start to your day.
Pilates: These exercises focus on core strength, flexibility, and overall body conditioning and can be easily done at home.
Tai Chi: This gentle form of martial arts is excellent for improving balance, flexibility, and mental focus.
Skipping Rope: A quick and effective cardiovascular workout that can be done almost anywhere.
These activities are convenient and adaptable to different fitness levels, making them ideal for integrating into your morning routine.
If necessary, plan workouts into your day. Put them on your calendar. This way, you’ll be less likely to skip or forget them. Remember the benefits, and make it a regular priority.
Here is a short video from the track during a morning workout: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8xFjoytDcQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.
That’s it for this week! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Yours for health, wellbeing & peak performance - Dr. Greg
