Balancing classes, clubs, and exams while trying to make new friends in college can seem overwhelming at times. With all of these commitments, it is not unusual to neglect your well-being and forget to do things that shape your physical and mental health. One of the most easily forgotten aspects of taking care of your health is your exercise routine, especially in the winter months. The cold tends to encourage us to lay in our beds all day with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. This is why I workout in the mornings.Â
Making Time for you
Throughout my life, I have maintained an active lifestyle. Before college, I was part of many high school sports teams and participated in club athletics as well. I found that exercise brought me clarity and allowed me to “reset” every day. However, when I began college, my daily schedule seemed to be random and different every day. With class times ranging from 8 AM to 8 PM and club meetings scattered throughout the week, it can be hard to carve out time to exercise. I found that working out in the morning was best for my schedule because I could have more control over the time commitments I would face later in the day. By waking up and getting active, I am more likely to consistently achieve my daily exercise goals. This change also allowed me time to get coffee with friends after class and say yes to random sweet treats without having to worry about skipping my workout later. By midmorning, I now tend to have my entire day ahead of me and one less thing on my mind.
Positive Mental Impacts: All the Good Vibes!
Working out first thing in the morning has many positive mental benefits. Working out makes you feel good, in part because of the increased dopamine levels in the brain that have the effect of lowering stress and making you “feel good”. Additionally, your stress levels may be lowered because activity helps lower cortisol levels and improve mood. These effects are the perfect way to start your day. I know that after working out I am more cheery and optimistic about my day ahead. I feel that the work I have cut out for me ahead is seemingly less daunting. Other positive effects include better sleep quality. This is a huge one for me. When I exercise later in the day, I find it harder to fall asleep. This is problematic for me because I cherish every second of my sleep, and I am always curious about how I can sleep better. Research has shown that by working out in the morning, individuals experience a longer deep sleep. This allows me to feel more recharged in the mornings.Â
The Little Wins!
Waking up early in the morning comes with little wins such as catching the sunrise. Every year I stress about daylight savings because the time change makes the days feel shorter and the sky dark by 5 pm. Since I started waking up early in the mornings, I have found myself admiring the sunrise more often. As a runner, I complete the majority of my workouts outdoors; my motivation tends to dip every time I consider running on the treadmill. If you choose to venture outdoors for your morning workouts, you can take-in the beautiful view of the sunrise and appreciate the quietness of the early day before it is in full swing. This direct morning sunlight has positive health effects such as boosting your cognitive performance and regulating your circadian sleep cycle. Another little win that I experience from morning workouts is having less laundry to do. As a freshman living in the dorms on campus, I never look forward to doing my laundry. People are ruthless in the communal laundry rooms (as I am sure many of you know). When I wake up and workout, I only have two outfits for the day: my athletic outfit and my outfit for my classes and clubs later in the day. This is much more manageable than having multiple outfit changes for when you workout in the afternoon or for night time when you change into non-sweaty attire after a shower. I’m sure we can all agree, the less time we spend washing clothes the better!
At first, adding exercise to your morning routine may seem daunting, but in a short amount of time, you will adjust. Implementing morning exercise into your routine begins the night before with setting out your clothes, setting your alarm, and going to bed at a reasonable time (believe me, that’s the hardest part).Â
I hope adding this to your daily routine adds an extra layer of self-care and self-love to your life as we head into the next couple cold months. It definitely has for me!