Patriot Health Digest
Whenever someone claims they are a “morning workout person,” I feel like they are actually admitting they are a superhero of sorts. Waking up early in the morning to get sweaty can be a difficult task, and if you are able to muster the dedication that it takes to keep your fingers off the snooze button on your alarm, you will be glad you didn’t press that button. Apart from the satisfaction that comes from showering and exercising while most of the world is still in bed, there are also several other major benefits of morning exercise.
But remember, no matter when or how you move, you will still be enjoying the benefits of exercise. So, pick what time works best for you, that might mean waking early, closing down the gym, or sneaking out for a lunchtime walk.
3 benefits of morning workouts, according to a trainer
1. You will be more alert during your workout
Fun fact: The human body naturally makes more of the stress hormone “cortisol” early in the morning. This helps make you feel more alert and ready for your morning exercise. In the evening, your body makes less cortisol, so it might be more difficult to convince your brain that it is time to go, go, go.
2. You’ll feel happier
Serotonin, Endorphins, and norphenylephrine—the neurotransmitters that boost happiness produced by exercise—are excellent any time of day, but they are especially game-changing during the mornings. “While eating chocolate, laughing, or meditation do increase endorphin levels, they do not raise them as much as working out intensely for 60 minutes or more,” J. Kip Matthews, PhD, said. You can hop on the treadmill, go for a power walk or bike around your city in the mornings, and you will be walking on sunshine all day long.
Jumpstart those happy neurotransmitters by using this HIIT workout:
3. This will help the heart do its job
Research shows that early workouts might also benefit those with higher blood pressure. “There are studies that say if you have high blood pressure (HBP), there’s a favorable HBP change when exercising in the morning versus at nighttime,” says Lampa. The 2019 research Lampa references was done by the American Heart Association (AHA) and observed men and women between the ages of 55 and 80. The data from the research also indicated that you might benefit even more from combining your early morning workouts with frequent, short morning walks.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
