Meditate or hydrate? Linger in bed or hit it hard at the gym? Here’s what health experts do first thing to make sure they rise and thrive.
Your morning routine can make—or break—your day. After all, consider how you feel on a day that began with a few stretches and a leisurely breakfast versus one that kicked off with hitting snooze six times and spilling coffee on your blouse as you dashed out the door. So how can you get off to a great start? We went to the folks who make living well look easy—fitness pros, clean-eating gurus, and more—and found out how they set the tone for happy hours to come. Let their a.m. moves inspire you.
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1 Simply pause
"I begin every day with at least 10 minutes of stillness—ideally 20 minutes. This silent time in the morning helps me clear away worry, release stress, and gear up to win for the day."
—Gabrielle Bernstein, motivational speaker and New York Times best-selling author of The Universe Has Your Back
2 Find the light
“Immediately after waking, I open my blinds and let the light come in. Even if there’s no direct sunlight, it’s enough to help stimulate my master clock and help me differentiate between being awake and being asleep.”
—Daniel Jin Blum, PhD, sleep psychologist in San Francisco
3 Dress for success
“I put on my yoga clothes and blend up a ‘preworkout’ green smoothie. I may have no intention of working out, but this routine still gives me the mind-set to get things done.”
—Chloe Coscarelli, vegan chef and author of Chloe’s Kitchen
4 Send a happy word
“After opening up my e-mail but before looking at new messages, I take two minutes to write one positive e-mail to someone I know, praising or thanking them for something they’ve done recently. The act of writing these notes to friends, family, or colleagues changes my day and helps me focus on the best in others.”
—Michelle Gielan, former CBS news anchor and best-selling author of Broadcasting Happiness
5 Rise and bond
“I'm recently married, and my husband and I make it a point to chat every morning—especially when I’m traveling. It grounds me and ensures that I start my day on a positive note.”
—Payal Kadakia, founder and CEO of ClassPass
6 Slip in citrus
“The first thing I do in the morning is drink 16 ounces of water with sliced lemon. I love how the refreshing taste really wakes me up, and the vitamin C aids immune system function.”
—Leah Kaufman, RD, dietitian in New York City
7 Step to it
“I walk my daughter to school across Central Park and then walk back while listening to dance music. The two-mile brisk walk clears my mind and gets me psyched for the day ahead.”
—Gail Saltz, MD, Health’s contributing psychology editor
8 Cuddle up
“Snuggling with my 3-year-old in his bed is my favorite morning ritual. I treasure this sweet time together—
plus, getting close to someone you love is a great way to release oxytocin and feel-good endorphins.”
—Kristin McGee, Health’s contributing yoga and wellness editor
9 Feed your mind
“I like to listen to podcasts in my car on the way to the studio. It helps stimulate my brain. I listen to Fresh Air, Alec Baldwin’s Here’s the Thing, and Intelligence Squared, to name a few.”
—Jillian Davis, SoulCycle instructor in Los Angeles
10 Tackle one to-do
“I try to write about a topic important to me, usually for my blog. Getting that done early in the day sets me up for productivity and satisfaction.”
—David Katz, MD, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center
