Science says that a small change in your morning routine can make your day much more productive than usual. And it’s not a big change, it’s not something that can turn your day upside down or anything like that. It is a simple habit to do moderate exercise, such as a brisk walk in the early hours, before eating breakfast.
We are diving into this new thinking and listing the other benefits you can get from a morning workout before breakfast.
A brisk morning walk promotes smarter decision-making.
In 2019, a study found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise in the morning, such as a brisk walk, improved cognitive function. Basically, exercising in the morning makes you smarter because it makes you make better decisions, unlike sedentary behavior which can make you angry.
It helps with quick weight loss.
A 2017 study from the University of Bath in the UK found that obese men who walked for an hour before eating activated their stored fat-burning genes better than participants who walked after eating.
A more recent study from 2020 also had similar results. Participants who exercised before breakfast burned twice as much fat compared to those who exercised after a meal.
A morning walk can aid in better sleep.
Research has indicated that people with sleep problems tend to sleep better with morning exercise, and the simple explanation for this is that light resets your body clock.
Exposure to bright light in the morning resets your body clock and prepares you for sleep at night.
In addition, exposure to sunlight is not only good for your bones, but it also suppresses the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, making you more awake during the day.
It can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Research says that a 30-minute walk every day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 35% to 40%. More benefits include better circulation, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk of diabetes as well. On the other hand, a 20-minute walk, at any time of day, reduces the risk of death by 30% or more.
A morning walk can help increase productivity.
Science says there’s nothing like a brisk walk to get those juices flowing. Walking helps you think of new ideas, and fresh air can spark new thoughts in your mind.
Do you do morning walks or evening exercises? What difference do you see between moderate cardio in the morning or any other time of the day?
