What do you do in the first hour of your morning?
Perhaps it’s sorting out the kids, getting lunch boxes ready, and rushing out of the door.
Perhaps it’s a snooze of the alarm clock for another 30 minutes in bed.
Perhaps a Morning Movement Practice?
I do love a mindful morning movement practice.
I was a habitual alarm-clock snoozer (and admittedly, sometimes I have to work on re-extinguishing this again).
Having a routine and something to look forward to on waking up has been a game changer.
“It’s only effort until it is routine” – to paraphrase someone wise (I cannot remember the original attribution)
A morning movement practice can benefit you and your brain in the following 3 ways
1. Circadian Rhythm
Movement and exercise in the morning signals to your body that it’s time to wake.
It signals to your Masterclock (the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus) that it’s morning.
Regulating your circadian rhythm has brain health benefits e.g. improving memory, mood and concentration.
Regulating your circadian rhythm also reduces migraines. Hence this is a part of my Mastery over Migraines Mentorship and my 21-day Sleep Reset.
2. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
BDNF is involved in neuroplasticity, i.e. modifiable changes of the brain, for learning and memory .
Mindfulness and exercise can both increase your BDNF.
3. A Keystone Habit
Charles Duhigg wrote a book I love, called “The Power of Habit”. He shares the concept of the keystone habit.
A keystone habit creates momentum for the implementation of other desirable habits.
A morning movement practice can be a keystone habit.
It can set the tone for the rest of your day, improving your willpower, wellbeing and focus.
It can lead to a chain of desirable habits e.g. better eating habits – which in turn can have additive brain benefits eg. reducing fluctuations in blood sugar for better brain health, concentration and productivity. And less migraines.
I love how my mindful morning movement practice helps me feel grounded and strong before the rest of my day.
What do you think?
Would you consider starting a morning mindful movement practice, perhaps for 5-10 minutes initially?
Or do you already have this as an established practice? If so, what is it that keeps you engaged with your morning movement practice?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, do let me know by reply to this email. 😊
Wishing you a great morning and day ahead,
Dr Sui Wong MD FRCP etc bit.ly/DrWongBio
PS – If you would like to develop a morning movement practice as part of a comprehensive strategy to clear your migraines, do let me know. I will soon be reopening applications for my Mastery over Migraines Mentorship – a 12-week programme, creating transformation through implementation of effective lifestyle and holistic measures for preventing migraines. Please reply “Migraine” to be added to the wait list.
References for those interested
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27253067
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7522212
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6544049
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23558300
Dr Sui Wong Empowering Your Brain Health 