Experiencing morning fatigue is normal for many people. Dreading to go to work/college after a long weekend is quite common among the youngsters now. While it is important to focus on underlying causes to ensure good quality sleep, here are a few ways to energize the body and help you feel more active and fresh in the mornings.
1. Drink enough water
Drinking water first thing in the morning helps provide the body with the hydration it needs to start the day. It can also ward off any sleepiness from mild dehydration. A common symptom of dehydration includes fatigue. When a person drinks water, it stimulates other organs and systems in the body, and may encourage a more wakeful state. You can also consume a glass of warm water, or water with lemon and cinnamon, to further stimulate the body.
2. Stretching
Performing simple stretches helps warm up the muscles and promotes blood circulation in the body. Many people stretch instinctively, such as moving their arms over their head, or extending their legs in bed. This helps in activating your muscles and awakening the body to a more mindful state. 5 Minutes of stretching or simple Yoga poses can help you feel more active and brisk while starting your day.
3. Exercising
Exercise helps stimulate the body, get the blood flowing, and help make a person feel more alert and active. The workout does not have to be intense, simple activities, such as a short brisk walk, dancing to music, or even a few jumping jacks, can help get the heart and breathing rate up, which can wake the body up faster. You can also try breathing exercises or guided meditation techniques as it raises Oxygen levels and helps you feel more calm and fresh.
4. Avoid hitting the snooze button
When you wake up to the sound of your alarm clock, the temptation to snooze for a few extra minutes may feel good, but it could make you feel more tired when you wake up again. As you try to sleep again, you might feel more tired, confused and ultimately feel very lazy throughout the day. Hence, it is always better to immediately get out of bed and start your day when the alarm clock goes off. If you find it difficult to not hit the snooze button, you can try to keep the alarm out of reach from the bed so that you need to get out of bed physically in order to turn it off.
5. Cold shower
Cold showers in the morning helps your body feel refreshed and active. While warm showers tend to relax the body and mind, cold water may do the opposite. Scientific studies suggest that the cold water causes the deeper tissue blood vessels to dilate, which increases heart rate, blood flow, and circulation. Therefore, cold showers may stimulate the body to wake up and be more alert. If you are not able to have a cold shower, you can alternatively splash cold water on your face since it produces a similar stimulating effect.
While there are several ways to feel active and fresh in the morning, it is always important to have a good sleep routine and morning habits to maintain a healthy life. These tips will work for many people in the short term, however it is important to create long-term habits and maintain consistency. Ensure that you get 8 hours of sleep every night and start your day fresh in the morning with warm water, exercises and a long walk/ run in the midst of nature.
