Research suggests that it’s easier to stick to healthy habits completed in the morning. As we get ready for the clocks to come forward, it heralds the beginning of Spring but also spells, an extra hour of light – which means it’s finally worth waking up a bit earlier to make the most of the day.
Anna de Sousa, MoreYoga instructor and expert gives specialist advice on why the extra hour in a day is your perfect excuse for a ‘spring reset’:
Spring is a great time to hit refresh on those January health resolutions. The extra hour light, which we’re calling the ‘Power Hour’ is an excuse to spend more time on yourself, taking care of your own wellbeing and to schedule in more time for motivation and wellness.
And while I’m not going to suggest you join ‘The 5 am Club’, I hope you can take one hour in the mornings just for you.
Here are my top tips on how to make the most of your ‘Power Hour’ to improve your wellbeing:
- Start Your Day Without Technology
Did you know, 80% of smartphone users check their phone within 15 minutes of waking up? Starting your day with notifications popping on your screen, constant ‘buzzing’ and other screen-stimulation trigger stress responses in your body and leave you feeling overwhelmed.
My recommendation is that you enjoy your extra hour of light without any distractions. So no phone, no technology. Just allow yourself to wake up and take in the new day.
Make yourself a nice cup of tea, look out the window, do some journaling or some light reading. Then, give your body the chance to wake up and adjust.
Bonus tip: Put your phone on aeroplane mode when you go to sleep & keep it that way when you wake up!
- Try Meditation or Breathwork
Just 10 minutes of meditation or breathwork are enough to boost your mood and reduce the stress response for the day. This will ultimately lead you to being more productive throughout the day.
Nevertheless, starting a meditation or breathwork practice can be daunting. But worry-not, MoreYoga’s online MoreMind experts at MoreYoga Wellness TV have provided dozens of 10-minute practices to help you begin these beautiful light mornings with mindfulness.
- Take time for Movement
I might be biased but there’s nothing better than Yoga to get our bodies ready for the day. Just a quick 15-30 minutes from the comfort of my home with pyjamas still on make me feel energised and prepared to take any challenge the day might have in store.
If you’re looking for a quick Yoga Flow to start your day, we have a fantastic 15-minute Boost Yoga Class on MoreYoga’s YouTube channel!
But if your favourite form of exercise is running or simply taking the dog for a walk around the block, that works too!
Simply make sure you include some form of movement in the morning, as it’s one of the healthiest habits you can incorporate this spring.
Research in 2019 , found that exercising in the mornings may shift your body clock earlier, meaning you’ll feel more alert in the morning and get tired earlier in the evening. So you can get your beauty sleep & do it all over again the next day.
- Eat a Balanced Breakfast
No, a takeaway coffee as you walk to the tube doesn’t count.
We’ve all got the ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ memo. But for me, it goes beyond that: breakfast is excellent self-care and me-time practice. After breakfast, I won’t get another chance to eat in peace until the evening.
Get on board with this practice. Take time for a nice and nutritious meal in the morning, including some of the season’s colourful fruits.
Get your nourishment in the am so you can power your body and your brain until lunchtime!
Feeling inspired to make the most of the extra hour of light? I hope so!
And remember, most of us lead stressful lives, so there is no better time to bring some focus and mindfulness than in the mornings.