After a night’s sleep ― hopefully, one where you got at least seven solid hours of uninterrupted rest ― your muscles aren’t quite ready to take on the day, even if you are. Before you grab that first cup of coffee, smoothie or glass of juice in the morning, take a few minutes and give these quick and easy morning exercises a try. These exercises and stretches will help you feel better at the beginning of your day and also help you feel better by the time your day comes to an end. Not only are these exercises designed to get your heart pumping, but they will help your body get loose and ready to take on whatever you have planned for later in the day. They are designed to help put you in a better frame of mind and prepared for the day ahead.
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#1 – Cat-cows
Begin in a four-point position ― you can even do this while still in bed if you like ― with your hands underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips. Contract your abdominal area. Round out your mid-back slowly and drop your head toward the floor. Then, alternate by bringing the head up and arching your mid back. Repeat the movement, alternating directions.
Cat-cows
Start with one set of 5 reps in each direction. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a good stop at the top position.
The intensity is light. This exercise focuses on the mobility of the entire spine area.
#2 – Spine Warmup
Begin in an upright standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and maintaining proper alignment with your head, shoulders, hips and legs. Bend your knees slightly and pivot through your hips to bend your upper body forward, ideally to be parallel to the floor. Raise up and extend your arms overhead. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement.
Spine Warmup
Start with one set of 10 reps. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a good stop at the top position. The intensity is light.
#3 – Arms Overhead
Begin in an upright standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and maintaining proper alignment with your head, shoulders, hips and legs. Bring your arms across in front of your body at chest-height. Contract your core muscles. Bring both hands out to your sides, breathing in and then extend your arms overhead as you breathe out. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement.
Arms Overhead
Start with one set of 10 reps. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a good stop at the top position. The intensity is light.
These are three great exercises to begin your day, and they are simple enough that you don’t even need to leave your bedroom to do them. These exercises are going to help you wake up, help improve your mood at the beginning of the day and put your body into a position to allow you to get whatever tasks you have planned for the day completed. Now, you can head to the kitchen and grab your morning beverage and breakfast.
If you are looking for ways to relieve stiff joints and aching, sore muscles, then check out the The Top 10 Morning Exercises to Loosen Up Your Joints program, here!
