The Benefits of Early Morning Exercise
The days are longer, the mornings are lighter, and the weather is warmer. Now is the perfect opportunity to start a new early-morning exercise habit!
You might be wondering about the significance of exercising in the morning. Surely being active at any time of day is the goal?
And you’re right, it is! But particular benefits come with early morning exercise.
Keep reading to find out more!
You start your day with a win
Early morning exercise is one of the easiest ways to nab a quick win to start your day.
Let’s be honest – how often do you tell yourself that you will get a walk or workout in later in the day...but it just doesn’t happen?
So much of the time, life gets in the way. Eat the frog early.
By ticking a task off your to-do list so soon after waking up, you will feel the positive ripple effects of your accomplishment throughout your day.
You will be more productive
You’re probably well aware that exercise is a serious brain booster. Here are just a few of the incredible advantages exercise brings you:
• Improved mental clarity
• Better attention span
• More energy and focus
• Better short-term memory
How much of a difference could all of these benefits could make to your day if you could experience them early?
You’ll find yourself whizzing through tasks and might even avoid the much-dreaded afternoon slump.
So quit starting your day by hitting snooze and then scrolling through screens. Allow yourself to be fully present instead with some activity, as gentle or vigorous as you like.
Your brain will thank you for it!
Boost your mood
It’s time to bust a myth: You don’t need to join the 5 am club or spend hours working out to feel the benefits of early morning exercise.
Not if you don’t want to, that is!
Any amount of exercise – long or short – will help to release endorphins and serotonin throughout your body. These help you to feel happy and confident, rather than exhausted and stressed. What better way could there be to start your day?
Even fifteen minutes of walking around the block can help you feel good for hours afterwards.
Better Sleep
Early morning exercise – specifically outside – kick-starts your circadian rhythm. Everyone has a circadian rhythm wired in their body and controlled by the brain. It is incredibly sensitive to light – so if you get out early in the morning, your body knows it is time to get going for the day.
(You can find out more about your Circadian Rhythm – and the amazing effects walking can have on it – in this blog.)
Exercising in the morning helps ensure melatonin will be released at the right time – when it gets dark – and you’ll be able to get a great night’s sleep.
Just keep in mind that if you’re rising a bit earlier to get some morning activity in, you’ll probably need to hit the hay earlier too.
A Natural Glow
Exercise at any time of day gets your heart beating faster, which pumps more blood around the body. This helps oxygen flow into your cells, which can make your skin a little brighter.
So, want to look like you’ve just had a facial? Get your body moving in the morning and enjoy an all-day glow!
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Hopefully, this blog has helped you understand some of the many benefits of early morning exercise.
If you would like to make early activity a regular part of your routine but need some help getting the habit established, I would love to help.
At Club Synergy, our 90-minute group sessions are deliberately scheduled to help you to take advantage of how good early morning exercise is for your body, brain, and business!
Our Active Accountability sessions are split in two, allowing you to make an exercise and a work commitment in the company of a supportive and encouraging group. The exercise portion is completed first, so you can take new energy into ticking your business task off your to-do list.
Or if you fancy a longer walk coupled with an in-depth conversation with a fellow business owner, then NETwalking is for you. Taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays, join us to hit your step goal, get to know somebody new, and return to your desk with clarity and inspiration.