How to Make the Most Out of Your Morning Routine (and Why You Really Should)

If you ever follow anybody who’s somebody or highly successful entrepreneurs, you’ll notice that most of them have a strict morning routine they follow. And they tend to take it very seriously. For many, the morning is the only time they truly have for themselves for the whole day and the perfect time to start the day fresh.

How you can establish a morning routine, and why it should be a priority.

The Perfect Time to Plan and Strategize

If you like to make the most out of your day, then you should start making the most out of your mornings. This is probably the only moment you’ll have to enjoy some peace and quiet. You could get up a little earlier and start drafting a plan of attack for the day. Or you could use this time for some meditation or self-reflection. Take advantage of the morning to focus on you and only you.

Your Brain Likes Routine

While we all like some surprise and spontaneity from time to time, having a set morning routine allows you to ease your cognitive load and go on autopilot. Each decision you make drains some of your energy, and the morning is when you need it the most. The less mental energy you use up in the morning, the more you’ll have for the rest of the day.

Boosts Productivity

But probably the biggest benefit of having a strict morning routine is productivity. Doing some exercise in the morning, for instance, is a great way to oxygenate your blood, which clears up your thoughts. Follow that with a great meal full of protein, a bit of sugar, and maybe a nice espresso and you’re ready to tackle the day.

If making coffee in the morning is too time-consuming for you, we strongly suggest you get yourself a Nespresso coffee machine. These are extremely useful and will brew you an individual cup of coffee in minutes. You can also easily order capsules for your Nespresso online and find tons of great different coffee types, strengths, and flavors depending on your preference.

How to Set Up a Morning Routine

Now that we established why you should adopt a morning routine, let’s look at how to establish one. First, you shouldn’t copy someone else’s morning routine. Everybody has different life situations, occupations, obligations, etc. So, you have to make sure that the routine works for you first and foremost.

Ideally, you should start your day with some sort of physical activity. This could be as simple as warming up and loosening up your muscles with some yoga poses or a foam roller. You could follow that with some moderate or intense activity if you can handle it. Make sure that you’re properly hydrated before, during, and after your exercise session.

You should then make sure that you fill your body with the proper fuel. Make sure that you take plenty of slow-releasing complex carbs that will give you long-lasting energy, such as wholegrain bread or cereals. Protein is also essential for concentration.

If you’re self-employed, this is a great time to write a plan for the day. Also, review your day before, and check if there was any unfinished business. If you’re a worker, then start by listening or watching something you like. You could listen to a podcast while you’re getting and continue while you’re commuting to work, for instance. This will help lift your spirits and start your day on a good note.

Conclusion

If morning routines are good enough for the rich, famous, and powerful, then they’re good enough for you. Just remember to come up with a routine you’ll actually be able to follow and take baby steps.

The post How to Make the Most Out of Your Morning Routine (and Why You Really Should) appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alternative Medicine?

It is an approach to healing that focuses on prevention rather than cure. It encourages people to be informed consumers and actively participate in improving their health.

Alternative medicine refers only to any type of treatment and diagnosis that does NOT use allopathic (conventional).

Is holistic medicine legitimate?

Yes, and no. Yes. Numerous medicines have been found to be effective in treating various diseases. Because they can't cure every condition. It all depends what you mean “holistic.” If holistic means taking into account all aspects a person's well-being, then yes. However, if it simply means that natural remedies are preferred to chemical ones, then no.

Some people believe holistic medicine dates back to ancient times. This is simply not true. Although there were some natural remedies used by healers in ancient Egypt or Rome, these practitioners did not have scientific knowledge.

It was not until the Middle Ages when medical practitioners began to study anatomy & physiology. This led directly to the development surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, and a host of other medical specialties. Most Western countries had established public hospitals in which trained doctors could offer medical care by the turn of the 19th century.

Today, traditional medicine is the predominant form of healthcare. However, many people still prefer to use complementary and alternative medicine. Many people find that it works better than drugs.

For example, some people feel more relaxed after receiving massage therapy rather than taking tranquilizers. Many people prefer eating healthy foods to taking prescription drugs. Others still believe that regular exercise improves their bodies' performance.

What is the alternative to holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is a way to approach health care that takes into account all aspects of the body, as well as its spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.

Holistic medicine is a form of holistic medicine. They believe prevention is better than treatment. They work closely with their patients to help them achieve optimal wellness.

They look for the root causes of disease to prevent them from returning. Holistic physicians consider the entire body and not merely the physical organs. They commonly refer to the entire person as “the body”.

It means they treat the body holistically and look beyond the skin. The doctor may suggest lifestyle and diet changes. He may also recommend meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplementation, massage or chiropractic treatment, as well as acupuncture and other forms of alternative medicine.

Complementary and Alternative Healthcare – Is it Evidence-based

The evidence base supporting complementary and alternate medicine is still developing, but there are many factors that people choose to use these therapies. You might have tried traditional treatments and found them ineffective. Or you may be looking for an alternative treatment because it has more benefits than conventional care. Alternately, they may look into complementary and alternative medicine as part of a holistic approach for health. It is important for patients to verify that any alternative or complementary medicines they are using have been supported by scientific research. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if in doubt about the effectiveness of a particular treatment. It can save you both time and money.

Why is holistic medicine so much better?

Holistic care addresses the whole person rather that individual symptoms. This involves looking at how someone feels about their body, their diet, where they live, and how much stress they have.

Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. Although this sounds easy in theory, it's very difficult to do in practice. Many doctors only focus on the physical aspects of patients.

Is holistic medicine safe?

Holistic remedies are safe, as they are not dangerous drugs, but natural remedies for people who have used them for centuries.

Many diseases have been treated with these herbs, including cancer, arthritis, chronic and severe pain, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity (obesity), depression, anxiety stress, insomnia as well sexual dysfunction and infertility.

Millions of people across the globe who are suffering from different diseases use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy. acupuncture. chiropractic care. herbal treatments. massage therapy. Yoga, meditation. biofeedback. Nutrition, counseling. Physical fitness. exercise. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.

What are alternative medicines?

Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn't considered medically necessary to treat disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine.

Alternative medicine could also refer to any practice that has not been supported by scientific evidence but is used in clinical practice. Examples include meditation, hypnosis, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology, flower essences, and many others.

Statistics

An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)

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How To

What are the four types of complementary and alternate medicine?

The four main categories of CAM are mind-body medicine, natural products, manipulative therapies, and energy healing. Mind-body medicine can include yoga, meditation and Tai Chi. Natural products are herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. Manipulative treatments include physical manipulations, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic treatment. Praying and visualization are two of the methods used to heal energy.

CAM is a general term that covers many health practices not covered by Western medical models. There are many differences in the scientific support for these practices, including whether they involve drugs and surgery, as well as which conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners may also prescribe medication and perform diagnostic testing (e.g. blood tests). Others do both.

Each category has many subcategories in addition to the four main categories. There are many subcategories within mind-body medicines, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness training. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manual, movement or traction can be used to manipulate the body. There are many spiritual healing options, such as faith healing and prayer within energy healing.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases may be treated with CAM. If used correctly, CAM may be a complement to conventional treatments.

There are many good reasons to use CAM.

To improve their overall wellbeing.
To manage a special condition.
To decrease pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a person's belief system.

Some people prefer CAM over conventional medicine because they feel it provides more control over the health of their bodies. They might believe there are fewer side-effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Some people prefer not to use pharmaceuticals. And still, others seek out CAM because they have had bad experiences with conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM claim they want to be confident about what they're doing before trying out new techniques. Many CAM users have questions about safety and effectiveness. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.

Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM are more happy and healthier than those who do not. This is true regardless age, gender and race.

The majority of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. 95% or more of adult Americans have used some type of CAM in their lives. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health was able to estimate that around 40 million people visited CAM practitioners in 2010 alone.

The NCCIH estimates that 10% of the U.S. population is treated by chiropractors or massage therapists.

The American Medical Association renewed its support for integrative medicines in 2013. It stated that doctors should incorporate scientifically validated complementary and alternative medicine into their clinical practice to meet patients' expectations and needs.

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark study in 2007 titled “Releasing Constraints – Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare” which concluded that “there is no credible evidence of any specific CAM intervention being effective in preventing, treating, and curing cancer.”

CAM continues to gain popularity despite this finding. The 2008 number of CAM practitioners increased 8 percent compared with 2007.

A recent survey found that almost half the respondents said they used CAM as part their primary healthcare plan.

CAM therapies can include natural products, mind/body practices, manipulative methods, energy healing techniques, exercise, dietary supplementation, and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily for pain relief; however, many also offer other benefits, such as relaxation, improved mood, better sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced immunity.

Acupuncture can be used to relieve back pain, anxiety, depression, increase immune function, promote weight loss, and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments draw on Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine. These roots can be traced back thousands of decades.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.

It was not until the mid-1800s when Western science began to gain prominence, but TCM remains an important element of health care today.

Today, it's estimated that more than 70 percent of people in the United States rely on TCM for treatment.

Yoga is another popular CAM remedy. Yoga was developed in India circa 5000 B.C. and is now embraced worldwide.

Yoga has become increasingly popular with the general public because it offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Even though there are limited scientific studies, yoga appears to have positive effects upon sleep33. This may make it useful for people suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies like aromatherapy, homeopathy, meditation, and/or homeopathy are also becoming accepted in mainstream medicine.

Herbal medicine is one the most commonly used types of CAM.

Herbal medicines contain herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, bark, leaves, roots, and stems.

They are often considered safer than prescription drugs and are used widely by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society 45% of adults with cancer used alternative medicine during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.

According to a recent study, 51% cancer survivors have used at the very least one type of CAM.

However, only 8.8% of them discussed it with their physicians.

This is a serious problem with healthcare delivery because there is not enough communication between conventional medical practitioners and CAM users.

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