LexiYoga

Start Your Day With Yoga

You're probably used to brewing a cup of coffee for a morning pick-me-up, a routine that you do without even thinking about anymore. We love that delicious morning rush, we've found something that's a healthier and longer-lasting practice. Yoga is a way to combat anxiety, increase energy, and improve emotional stability overall—and if you devote a little time each morning for it, you'll be reaping these rewards all day long.

king pigeon pose

A Balanced Breakfast

Yoga is a meditative practice as well as an exercise. According to U.S. News, exercising in the morning can boost your metabolism throughout the day. This means that you will burn more calories, build more lean muscle, and shed more fat. Exercise can also increase your productivity through the release of endorphins, which boost your mood and give you mental clarity for hours after exercise.

And that's just the physical side of things. Starting your day with a quiet, calming practice can soothe anxiety, especially before a big project or presentation. If you're nervous about a meeting or interview, those rapid-fire thoughts can lead to negative physical reactions like shaking, sweating, stomach aches, and more. It's essential to manage anxiety through healthy habits, because we all suffer from nerves and stress.

You often hear the term "balanced breakfast," which usually involves a healthy ratio of carbs, protein, and fat. Eating healthy in the morning, and all day, is important, but take your "breakfast" a step further by incorporating yoga, even if it's only 30 minutes a day.

Healthy Habits

It may seem difficult to wake up 30 minutes or an hour early when you first start your yoga practice. It will probably be challenging, especially for the first week, but just hang in there. Habits are created by three components: a trigger, a reaction, and a reward, as outlined in the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Your trigger might be your alarm clock beeping in the morning, or the sun shining through your window. Your reaction will soon be your yoga routine, so think of a powerful reward to secure the habit and keep yourself motivated. It can be something simple, like painting your nails a new color, picking up a good book to read, or even just having some "you" time on the porch, sipping herbal tea.

Starting the day off on the right note will help you make better choices throughout the day. If your mind is clear, you're less likely to indulge in nervous habits like biting nails, overeating, and even smoking. Yoga is the perfect way to manage stress before your day starts, and to boost your spirit to take on new challenges.

A Space of Your Own

If you're ready to get started with a morning yoga practice, find a space in your home to set up your workout area. Ideally, you'll want to use a separate room with a door, especially if you live with family members, roommates, or pets. If you can't set up a space in a private room, you can use room dividers or simply communicate with loved ones that you need some privacy.

Choose a spot with access to natural light if possible, as it will deliver vitamins to your skin and wake you up physically and mentally. Invest in a quality yoga mat and towel. You may want to purchase a few props, like blankets and blocks, especially if you are a beginner or have any injuries.

Turn on some soothing music. We love to use Spotify and listen to deep focus or yoga playlists. Make sure to focus on your breathing and take it slow. It's just you in this space, and you're not competing with anyone. Let yourself be exactly who you are at that time, as you learn the poses and flows.

Soon, you will be invigorated by yoga instead of food and drink. While there's nothing wrong with a cup of coffee, yoga goes beyond and addresses both the body and mind. Start by setting up your new workout area. Have fun with your color scheme and decor, then take a deep breath and get started!

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