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I know that it’s common for moms to neglect their health. They are often too busy taking care of their families that they forget about their own health and wellness. It’s just not worth pushing aside your health!
While I don’t exercise as often as I used to and I splurge (often…you wouldn’t believe the amount of sweets I can consume!) on desserts, I make sure I am giving my health some attention.
- I am a more patient wife and mother when I get the chance to exercise a few days each week, so I don’t feel bad that I make this a priority.
- I know that food is fuel and I have more energy when I eat better.
- I finally learned the importance of sleep and having a well-rested family!
The morning is a great time to start your day off right with a few healthy habits. Here are a few tips on how to have a healthy morning:
Minimize morning stress by allowing for extra time
It’s stressful to wake up late and scramble around all morning. Save yourself the stress and set your alarm earlier than you need to, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes. Adding extra time can help your day start in a calm and relaxed manner. It also gives you wiggle room if something comes up and your morning is derailed. If you have children, you might need more than 10 extra minutes scheduled in!
Spend a few minutes planning your day
Go over your calendar and make sure you know what is on the schedule for the day. If you don’t meal plan weekly, the morning is a great time to think about what is for dinner. You are more likely to prepare a healthy dinner if you think ahead and aren’t forced to scramble at dinner-time. Plan your day over a cup of Bulletproof Coffee!
{Check out my planner review to find the best planner for you!}
If you need help planning out your morning, check out Make Over Your Morning.
Hydrate
One of the first things you should do each morning is drink a large glass of water. You wake up dehydrated and this is the perfect way to get your body ready for the day! I try to drink a glass a water before I start in on coffee. Here are 8 Ways to Drink More Water Every Day.
Drink warm, lemon water
Meet your hydration goals by starting the morning with warm lemon water. This is a quick and easy drink to add to your morning. Here are some of the benefits of lemon water.
Eat a healthy breakfast
I think it’s important that the first meal of your day is a healthy one. It feels great to get your day off to a healthy start! You have fasted all night and your body needs fuel to start your day and to get your metabolism going!
I feel so much better when I have started my morning off with a healthy breakfast. I like to have my breakfast satisfying enough that I do not want to snack all morning. I leave room for plenty of splurges in my diet, but breakfast is the one meal that I try to always keep healthy. If my diet is less than stellar the rest of the day it’s nice to know that I got it right for one meal!
I typically start my day with one of the following: oatmeal, yogurt & granola, eggs, or a smoothie. I like to add flaxseed, cinnamon, protein powder, and chia seeds to my oatmeal or smoothies for a healthy boost. (I often flaxseed and organic cinnamon from Thrive Market. Many of their products are much, much cheaper than you can find anywhere else. Grab 40% off and a free gift when you shop at Thrive Market!)
Arbonne has my favorite protein. Grab some here! They even have mint chocolate protein…it tastes like a tasty mint chocolate milkshake!
Get moving
This is my main stress reliever. I start to get unpleasant when I go too long without exercise! If you are not exercising consistently, start by adding small amounts of exercise into your day. If you have trouble getting motivated, remember that the first step out the door is the hardest. Once you get out and exercise, you will rarely (if ever!) regret it.
Try this quick Wake-Up Workout, one of the many free resources on this list.
Wake up well-rested
Sleep is so important! I took me years to realize that I should actually prioritize sleep and it’s worth making a few changes.
If you have trouble making sleep a priority, check out these helpful resources:
- Sleep It Does a Family Good
- Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success
- Make Over Your Mornings
- How to Create a Morning Routine (includes printable worksheets that I created)
- Your Morning Manual: A Guide & Workbook for Resetting & Maximizing Your Mornings
Find your morning incentive
Figure out what quick activity or treat refreshes and relaxes you. If that gives you a little more patience to get you through the day…schedule it in!!
Consider vitamins or supplements based on your needs
While I try to get most of my nutrients from foods, I supplement based on my current needs. During this year of 2020, I have been supplementing our diet with many immune boosters. My family takes a decent amount of Vitamin C and others each day.
I get many of our vitamins from Thrive Market. Many of their products are much, much cheaper than you can find anywhere else. Thrive Market is one of my favorite places to order from. Some of my favorite items to order include: different types of flour, olive oil, yeast, tea, taco seasoning, spices, MCT oil, children’s soap, and much more. Grab 40% off and a free gift when you shop at Thrive Market! (as of 1/5/21)
I’d love to know:
What healthy morning habit is most important to you?
You will receive free updates, morning motivation, printables, blog post highlights, and occasional deals sent your way. Frequency?? Just a few times per month.
Ellie Augustin says
With 4 kids running about each morning sometimes it’s hard not to stress. I do drink Lemon water and will start my running. It always helps me get focused. So happy it’s the start of Fall it’s my favorite time of the year to run.
Emily says
Yes, fall is a beautiful time of year to run!
Lindsey says
So many good tips! It is so important to keep ourselves healthy and that includes mind, body, soul and spirit!
Raia says
Great reminders, Emily! I really struggle in the mornings, but I do find that drinking something (tea or water) and oil pulling help me wake up!
Emily says
Oil pulling…I have read up on that some, but have only tried it a few times. I should look into it again to remind myself of the benefits!
Mary Barham says
Yes I feel it is so important to get up early for me time… I get up 2 hours earlier than my kids to read my bible and have some me time.
Lauren says
Great tips! It’s so important for me to have a few alone minutes in the morning before the kids get up. Sets the tone for the day.
Emily says
A few minutes alone makes such a difference…
Tajuana Paige says
Love love!!!! I feel the same way. so effective!
Jenni Laplow says
I love the tips! If I gave myself a little extra time before my daughter wakes up for “me” time, I think my day would go a lot smoother! You’re right about taking care of yourself being very important, it’s something that is easily neglected as a newer Momma!
Emma | Creative Explorations says
Thanks for these tips! Planning is a must for me — it helps me to be so much more organized and productive.
Emma | http://www.creaitvexplorations.com
Kathryn says
Love this post! Mornings are so important to get my day off on the right foot!
tineke - workingmommyabroad says
So important to start your morning well! Great tips!
lesley sullivan says
I agree with all of your tips! I wake up 30 minutes before the kids so I can enjoy my coffee in peace. This helps me start my day off right!
Emily says
Coffee in peace…such a great way to start the morning. :)
Lauren says
I need to be doing this! Right now I wake up with my toddler and kind of fall into the day; I bet waking up earlier then her and having some intention would make a big difference. Pinning for later!
Courtney says
I am really bad at mornings! The battle over sleeping in for even just five minutes versus getting up to start the day is a struggle. Looking forward to trying some of your strategies!
Dr. Daisy says
Great tips! My family knows that if I don’t get my exercise in that I am a completely different person. Not only do I need it physically but also mentally:)
Bekah says
I hadn’t even thought about lemon water! This motivates me to do some Pilates :)
Jenna says
In theory I love tea, but I never work it into my morning routine because I fill up on coffee. Love the idea of lemon water for the mornings. I have heard that is healthy but haven’t tried it yet. I usually drink lots of lemon water with honey if I have a cold… Gotta work it into the every day.
Emily says
Warm lemon water is a great way to start the day. I am with you on tea, I never drink it in the morning. Coffee takes priority then. :)
Tea is great in the evening though!
Sarah Clouser says
Great tips. I started walking in the mornings before my kids wake up and my husband heads to work. As much as I hate getting out of bed so early, I feel fantastic on the days I do this. It’s so dark now in the mornings which is kind of a bummer.
Emily says
What a great routine to have! It’s always such a bummer when the days get shorter and there is less daylight for getting outside.
Jennifer says
Allowing extra time is so important. I get up 1/2 an hour to an hour before my girls. This allows me to pray, plan my day, exercise, eat, and caffeinate.
A good breakfast is also very important.
Thanks for sharing these tips (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Lenze says
The water is a new one. I thought it was cold water. All the other tips are great!
Rachel Lynn says
I love the idea of waking up 10 minutes earlier than necessary. It’s not too much sleep you’re missing out on, but can really make a difference in the craziness of your morning. That and drinking lots of water. I feel so much better when I start my morning off with a glass of water. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon Chen says
Awesome tips you have here. I’m going to try the third tip starting tomorrow :)
Danielle says
All great tips! Now that my one year old is finally sleeping through the night (well mostly) I’ve been able to to get up and work out in the morning again. It’s been fabulous!
Megan says
Such great tips. I need to get my morning routine back on track. Since I started back to school, I stay up so late doing homework that I generally wake up with only enough time to get me and my son dressed, feed the dog, then get out the door. I am so stressed in the mornings that I know I need to get things right again.
Tianna says
awesome tips! this is definitely something I’m working on !
stop by and chat with me :) http://storybookapothecary.com
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
I have to get moving in the morning or else I feel so unproductive. Love this list!
Lauren White says
These are some great tips! I need to work on the stay hydrated one!
Calypso in the Country says
Great tips and I find that my morning really does set the mood for the entire day. I start with lemon water also and always try to eat something healthy. My downfall is exercise but I am working on that one! Visiting from SITS Girls Sharefest. Have a great weekend!
Shelley
Angela says
I love exercising in the morning! It is the best and starts my day off right.
Eden @ Mint Notion says
I definitely need to establish a more healthy routine in my mornings. Instead of reaching for tea or coffee first, I should drink warm lemon water. That’s a great idea!
JES says
Excellent, doable tips! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth!
Meredith says
Great ideas! I’ve also found that, as much as I like to lie in bed, I regret staying there after the alarm goes off. It’s better of ray day if I get up early, read the Bible, exercise…twenty extra minutes on my pillow isn’t worth the overall sacrifice of being behind and unprepared for the day.
Here from the Sharefest!
Foirell says
I’m not a mum or a wife but I definitely agree with all of these tips! Its so important to look after yourself and maintain a good balance of focusing on others and focusing on yourself. Great post :)
Foirell | http://www.citygirlrell.com