There are too many benefits of early morning exercise to go over in this one article. But that should give you an indication of just how beneficial early morning exercise really is. Here are seven of the most important benefits:
#1. Nothing gets in the way of Your Exercise
A major benefit of exercising in the morning is that there’s nothing else to distract you from this activity. Aside from not wanting to wake up a bit earlier, there’s nothing stopping you from exercising in the early morning, so it can quickly become a routine. It only takes a week or two of getting up at a certain time for your body to adjust to it.
Throughout the rest of the day there are so many other things to do which get in the way of exercise. It could be school, work, taking care of the kids, any number of things. But generally those things aren’t getting in the way early in the day. When was the last time you had to do something for work at 6 am? For most of us, that time of day is an open slot to fill however we want.
But what about after school or work? Can’t you exercise then instead of waking up earlier? Sure, but let’s see how long that lasts. While exercising at night may be better than not exercising at all, most people don’t have the motivation to do so after they’ve just worked all day. Because of this, it’s much harder to make exercising part of your routine if it comes later in the day.
#2. You’ll be Energized for the rest of Your Day
Some people mistakenly think that waking up earlier to exercise before their day truly begins will only make them more tired later. This is actually the opposite. When you work out, oxygen and nutrients are whisked throughout your body which results in an energy boost for the rest of the day. That energy boost will also help you stay focused and be more productive.
And to top it all off, cortisol — sometimes called the stress hormone — levels are higher in the morning. And despite its nickname, this actually helps you focus on whatever you’re doing — in this case, exercising!
#3. Your Mood will Improve
What better way is there to start off the day then by relieving stress? That’s exactly what morning exercise does. Physical activity relieves stress through the release of endorphins. This results in the so-called “runner’s high.” And there are other, non-hormonal reasons why early morning exercise will improve your mood. You’ll have a sense of accomplishment which will last throughout the day, as well as knowledge that you can relax once your day is complete. There’s nothing worse than getting home from work and realizing you still need to exercise!
#4. Morning Exercise will Control Your Appetite
Are you someone who snacks all day long? Early morning exercise could be the solution to that problem. Exercising in the morning reduces production of the hunger hormone – ghrelin. Thanks to this, those who are active early in the morning regularly have less food cravings later in the day.
#5. Blood Pressure Control is Another Plus
If you have hypertension — high blood pressure — then you should seriously consider exercising in the morning. Exercising at any time of day naturally controls your blood pressure, but the most favorable blood pressure changes happen in the morning. Why not get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of this favorable time slot?
#6. Improve Your Sleep
There are two sides to the connection between exercise and sleep. On one hand, exercising in the morning can help you sleep. But on the other, exercising at night can keep you awake at night.
When you exercise in the morning there are three key benefits you’ll be awarded with once night comes around. You’ll fall asleep quicker, wake up fewer times throughout the night, and have more time in deep sleep because of the fewer awakenings. Because of this, you’ll feel more rested when you wake up in the morning and it will be easier to continue your routine of morning exercise.
Nighttime exercising has a somewhat opposite effect. Exercising increases your blood flow, heats up your body, and gets your adrenaline pumping. All three of these things are bad if you’re trying to go to sleep anytime soon. Think back to benefit #2 about being energized for the rest of the day after exercising. The same thing is happening here, only you’re energizing yourself at night.
#7. A Sense of Camaraderie
One of the best reasons to exercise in the morning is the sense of camaraderie you develop with those you exercise with. Sure, you could exercise alone, but exercising in a group is a great way to boost your morale.
Going all the way back to benefit #1, people are generally less busy early in the morning, so it’s a great time to make new friends and catch up with old ones. While it may be difficult for everyone to get together later in the day, early morning exercises work as a sort of reunion. These friends will also help you stick to your exercise schedule. It’s much harder to hit the snooze button when you know your friends are expecting and relying on you to show up.
Early Morning Exercise with Shinny USA!
Did you know that hockey is a great early morning exercise? Shinny USA adult hockey programs take place in the early morning so participants have access to all of the benefits of early morning exercise outlined in this article — not least of all the camaraderie! Contact Shinny USA today for more information on when, where, and how you can join us out on the ice.