If you get out of bed with excitement every morning, you’re one of the very few who do so. No matter what you have planned for the day, it can be hard to get moving when the alarm goes off in the morning. One of the most effective ways to get your blood flowing and clear the morning fogginess is by doing some morning stretching. Whether you do a morning stretch routine before or after your cup of coffee is up to you, but here are some great stretches to consider to start the day off on the right track.

Start Morning Stretching with Leg Hugs

The great thing about this morning stretch routine is you don’t even have to roll out of bed to do it. Bend your knees where your feet are flat on the bed, then bring both legs to your chest and hug them tight. Then alternate these hugs with each leg individually a few times. You can do these stretches on the floor if you would prefer, but it’s an easy routine to do as soon as your alarm goes off.

Lengthen Your Body

Body-lengthening stretches is a vital part of a morning stretch routine for many people and it’s simple to do. Stand on a flat surface with your feet positioned about shoulder-width and bring one arm over the head. Shift your weight to the opposite side of the body and stretch your fingers as much as you can. Stretch your toes at the same time for the ultimate morning stretch routine to get your blood flowing.

Get Your Blood Flowing with Bicycle Kicks

What’s better than a nice bike ride in the morning to get the day started? Sometimes it’s hard to get out of the house due to the weather or because of other responsibilities. But the good news is you can substitute your bike ride with bicycle kicks. Lie flat on your back with your hands by your side. Bring your knees to the chest and slowly kick your feet as if you’re pedaling a bicycle. You can do these for up to a minute or longer and you might not even need to get out of bed to do them.

Twist Your Lower Body

When stretching in the morning, consider twisting your lower body slightly to activate different areas of the body. Do these lower body twists by lying flat on the ground, putting your feet flat on the surface, and swinging the knees to either side of the body in a slow and fluid motion. Swing them as far as you can comfortably and repeat the process several times. You may notice as you do these with your morning stretch routine that you’ll become more flexible and can swing your knees a bit more each time.

Finish Your Morning Routine with Toe Touches

Toe touches are simple to do and a common way to finish off your morning stretching routine. Put your feet shoulder-width apart and bend from the waist to touch your toes and come back up. You can also add another element to these stretches by bending straight down sometimes and bending from the side also. Do these stretches a few times and you’ll be ready to start your day.

Z.E.N. Foods believes a morning stretching routine is one of the most effective ways to start off your day. Combine this with a healthy diet and you’ll be ready to take on any challenges. If you need some assistance with your meal planning, contact us and we would be happy to help.