Struggling to get going in the morning?

If you are having a hard time getting going in the morning, you might want to try starting the day with a walk or other physical activity. There is extensive research showing that morning activity has bigger benefits for our mood, focus, fitness, and sleep than activity at any other time in the day.

I know that sounds weird but going for a walk when you get up will help you sleep better at night. Part of it is that getting sunlight in the morning affects our hormones and circadian rhythms. There is something about morning sunlight that triggers a host of helpful responses that we don't get from sunlight at other times in the day. Also, exercise decreases stress hormones and improves focus which is an awesome twofer for the rest of your day. It doesn't have to be running 5 miles or P90X - just 20 minutes of something that gets your heart rate up will do the job.

And of course there is also the practical side of things... If you listen to a news podcast while you walk, instead of checking the news online, then you can't get sucked into a internet time vortex so you'll probably start your day sooner. If you get the dog out early she is less likely to pester you while you're working. Even if you are just slightly more focused or productive, if you get going a little sooner, get side tracked a little less, and get done a little faster, you're starting a virtuous cycle. You'll have slightly more time after work, have a little less to do the next day, and will have gotten a little better sleep. Then the next day it's slightly easier to get up for that walk, you can get slightly more done, maybe even slightly faster, and so it goes.