Dragging oneself out of bed in the morning to exercise can be a challenge; especially as the winter is approaching and the mornings are darker and colder.
Morning exercise has several significant health benefits and is a great way to set you up for the day ahead. If hitting the gym first thing is out of the question, home workouts are equally effective and for many people, much more achievable.
In this article, we will provide a brief overview of some of the main benefits of morning exercise.
1. Healthier food choices
Interestingly, research suggests that morning exercise can change your relationship with
food. It is believed to encourage healthier food choices throughout the day and reduce overall food intake. By starting your day with a healthy activity, it is likely that you will want to keep that feeling throughout the day. After all, we don’t want to undo all our hard work!
2. Better sleep quality
Early morning workouts are also hugely beneficial for sleep and energy. According to research, morning exercise can help improve sleep quality by increasing deep sleep and reducing awakenings and the time taken to fall asleep. It also helps increase the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin at night for further sleepy benefits. What’s more, if you prefer to exercise outside, the light exposure can help keep your body clock in check so that you fall asleep easier and wake up feeling refreshed.
3. Increased weight loss
If your goal is to lose weight, you might see better results if you work out in the morning before breakfast. Exercising on an empty stomach means there is no food to provide immediate energy to your muscles. This means your body switches to burning fat as a source of fuel. According to one study, you can burn up to 20% more fat by working out on an empty stomach!
4. Better mood and brain function
Morning exercise can help you start the day on a positive note because, during physical activity, the brain releases an influx of “feel good” hormones that help relieve stress and make you feel happy.
Scientists have found that exercise also improves mental clarity, attention and energy by increasing the levels of a vital brain molecule that plays a role in learning and memory.
The perfect home workout accessory
Every home workout needs the right equipment. And what better place to start than a trusty fitness mat? AMP’s eco-friendly fitness and yoga mat provides 6mm of cushioned support and a slip-proof surface to perform all of your exercises. Whether you choose yoga, pilates, HIIT workouts or weight training, this multipurpose mat has got you covered.
Summary
Now you’ve learnt about the benefits of morning exercise, it might seem more worthwhile getting up for. Not least does it enhance multiple aspects of physical and mental health, but it also sets the right tone for the day ahead.
According to scientific research, starting your day with physical activity increases the likelihood of you making healthier food choices and eating less throughout the day. It also helps support faster weight loss, improves sleep, reduces stress and enhances brain function and mood.
When do you prefer to workout? Let us know!
