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A fresh and energetic start to the day can be just the jump start you need at the start of your day. But not everyone is a morning person and many of us find it difficult to drag ourselves out of bed and begin the day. So here are some simple and easy ways to feel more energetic in the morning.

In order to feel good in the morning, it is important to get a good night's sleep. This means that the night before, you need to avoid eating anything that can upset your stomach and keep you tossing and turning throughout the night. Foods that are known to trigger sleep disturbances include coffee, chocolate and red wine. They can irritate the digestive tract and affect the quality of sleep, therefore avoid consuming them after lunch time. Eating just before you sleep also leads to poor sleep. Your body requires time for digestion and by lying down just after eating, you are hindering that process. There should be at least a few hours gap after dinner and before bedtime.

Your mental and emotional state also influences how well you sleep. Therefore a good way to ensure restful sleep is to do something relaxing like meditating for half an hour before your bedtime. This is a good way to let go of all the worries and anxieties of the day. Try and make it a point to never go to bed angry or upset too. Always resolve arguments or quarrels with loved ones before you hit the bed. Your sleeping environment is of great importance in ensuring that you sleep well. Your mattress and pillows should be comfortable and the room temperature should not be too high or too low. Your bedroom should also be quiet and peaceful. One of the most common sleep hindrances is a full bladder. Make sure you go to the bathroom just before sleeping so that you enjoy uninterrupted sleep during the night.

Here are some effective morning habits that will give you the boost you need to get through the day:

• Firstly, wake up earlier. When you do this, you have more time to enjoy your morning. You are more likely to wake up fresh and early if you go to bed early the previous night. You can also try keeping your alarm some distance away from you, so you have to get out of bed to switch it off. It is difficult to suddenly start waking up several hours earlier and hence you can set your alarm just 15 minutes earlier than usual and then keep increasing it until you reach your desired wake up time.
• Pulling up the shades and letting the sunlight in is an effective way to shake off drowsiness. Sunlight triggers a shift in the natural circadian rhythm of the body and makes you feel wide awake.
• Remember to drink a glass of water when you wake up. This replenishes your hydration levels.
• It is also a great idea to keep one hour aside every morning which you devote to yourself completely. During this time you can meditate, read or practice light exercise such as yoga. This relaxing and rejuvenating start to the morning will help set the tone for the rest of the day.
• One of the best morning habits is to eat a nutritious breakfast. A healthy, balanced breakfast will boost your metabolism and keep you energetic during the day. Try to avoid consuming simple carbohydrates for breakfast as they only give you a temporary burst of energy. Instead opt for high protein breakfast foods such as whole grain cereal, whole grain toast and peanut butter and low-fat yogurt. Nuts are also a great morning food as they improve concentration and alertness.
• Most people rely on their morning cup of coffee to feel wide awake. Caffeine does get rid of drowsiness, but it also leads to unpleasant side effects such as sleep disruption, post-caffeine crashes, addiction and hyperactivity. Instead of coffee, opt for green tea or other herbal teas. You can also drink fruit juices of your choice.
• Exercising in the morning does a great deal of good to your body and mind. It helps increase metabolic levels and this enables you to burn calories throughout the day. It is also highly energizing and gives you the power to perform more efficiently. Exercise also lifts the mood and keeps you feeling positive.
• Apart from exercising the body, it is also a good habit to exercise the mind. Keep your brain alert and sharp by engaging in crossword puzzles and brain teasers.
• You are more likely to perform well when you look sharp. Therefore it is important to spend enough time each morning to look your best. Good grooming involves showering properly, brushing your teeth and donning on clean, well-ironed clothes. When you look good, you are bound to also feel good.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.