Do you ever feel like you have trouble getting stuff done? I feel that too sometimes and there’s a science behind it. How you start your day sets the tone for the remainder of your day. Having a regular morning routine will not only help launch your day the right way, but it will also help you form healthy habits that will soon become second nature to you. I know, I know, who has time for a lengthy routine every morning? This is why I kept the list very short and simple. In my post today, I talk about 3 things you could do before 9 AM each morning to have a healthier and more productive day.

1. Drink water when you wake up

Each morning, I drink at least 1 tall glass of water. This has been proven to have many benefits – including helping to boost your metabolism and promote clear skin. I always feel so much more energized after drinking water in the morning, so this is a quick morning habit that I never skip (and yes, you can still have your morning coffee, just drink a glass of water first). I always end up having about 0.5 liters of water during my 30-minute morning workout sessions, which is a good way to increase your water intake. I will drink more as the day goes by.

Bottom line: Many factors affect how much water you need to stay healthy such as your health, activity, and environment.

2. Eat a healthy balanced breakfast

The first meal of your day is the most important because not only is it the first thing you put into your system, but it sets the tone for your day. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, (Meal Prepping for Beginners), meal prepping is a time saver, guaranteeing that you have delicious healthy meals on the go. I love nothing more than a big bowl of creamy overnight oats, or eggs on toast + coffee to name a few. Such breakfast options are quick, healthy and so easy to make. If you missed my blog post on how to make creamy delicious overnight oats, click here! As the name suggests, breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health.

Related post: 5 Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas for The Week

3. Do at least 10-20 min of workouts (It’s not what you think)

Did you know that exercise releases endorphins – and endorphins make you happy? But wait, there’s more. It can also increase your energy levels, reduce your risk of chronic disease, help your skin look amazing, and can help your brain health and memory. What’s more, if you exercise first thing in the morning it also helps you to better focus throughout the day. Now, I don’t mean that you have to have an intense workout first thing in the morning – just something to get the blood flowing. Something light like my 16-minute HIIT workout, 20 minutes of stretching or yoga, or even just 5 minutes of running on the spot. Anything to get the blood flowing.

Many people often associate the term workout with dread and weight loss. However, I feel like workouts should be viewed as a celebration of what our bodies can do as opposed to punishment for what we ate during the weekend.

Related post: HIIT Workouts for Beginners: No Equipment Required

The bottom line

These 3-morning habits help me to feel focused, calm and energized throughout the day. I have noticed that when I skip any one of these or all in a day, my day feels chaotic and stressful, and I struggle to concentrate (I feel all over the place). Remember, you don’t have to dedicate a huge amount of time to each activity, just enough time to drink that water, eat a balanced and healthy breakfast, and get the blood flowing! If you find the 3 ideas, I gave above overwhelming that’s ok, you could try at least one of them this week and I promise you won’t regret it.

If you try any of these tips or recipes and find them share-worthy – which I hope you do – please share. Tag #smodernhealth on Instagram and don’t forget to check out my other blog posts!