Energizing stretches to kick-start your day and your week

Many of us finds it extremely difficult to get up in the morning, especially on a weekday to get to work.

Many years back, when I was holding a regular office job, working in a location near KLCC (I stay in Kota Kemuning), the thought of getting out into the jam packed highway heading to work was enough to make me grab on to my bedsheets even more. It was a routine which I struggled with every morning without fail, the physical and mental dialogue which I carry on with myself, until I attended a motivational seminar that got me started on a regime.

I made it a point to get up 20 minutes earlier every day after that. Why 20 minutes? Without fail, the first 5 minute will be spent sitting on the bed, still in a dream. After that, I will get downstairs, drink a glass of warm water with lemon, spread out my yoga mat, and start doing some basic stretching for 10 – 15 minutes. Basically I do my yoga sun salutation sequence.

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Initially, I would only manage to do the above like 2-3 times a week, while the rest of the week, I will be back to my normal lazy routine, preferring to sleep the extra 20 minutes; ONLY to struggle again later when it’s really time to get up. On those days where I prefer to laze on the bed, I ended up over sleeping ,which is worse! Because the guilt that comes after was enough to kill.

After some time, I kind of like managed to establish a steady regime. Once you are able to do the stretching a few times a week, you’ll be able to see the good in getting up 15-20 minutes earlier. Because by the time you’re done with your warm up stretching, your mind is already busy organizing your day’s tasks, you’re much more alert, and by the time you hit the shower, you’re ready for work..!! That is the most critical part which I find I managed to overcome. I no longer struggle in bed like how I used to before, and that really helps especially in the morning.

3-4 months down the road, I increased the stretching to about 20 minutes, after which I will prepare my healthy breakfast, which in a way, was therapeutic, because you’re doing something to care for the health of your body.

Why the sun salutation?

Picture taken from here

It’s a series of twelve physical postures. These alternating backward, forward bend movements, often with some twist and side tilts postures flex and stretch the spinal column through their maximum range, giving a profound stretch to the entire body.

It has multiple mental and physical benefits. In only 10 minutes, you can achieve a low impact workout that combines both resistant training and cardiovascular training. 

Can I do it?

When the alarm goes off, the reason why you hang on to your sheets and pillow is because you want to enjoy more “me time” on the comfy bed dreaming. Why don’t you indulge in the “me time” while stretching. You can continue to dream on, while stretching. Many a time, I find myself still in a daze, when I’m in the midst of stretching, so having a pre-set of physical posture to execute helps in a way, and that’s why I chose the sun salutation.

Also consider this, which would be better? To be ready mentally and physically for work or still to be struggling in bed every morning when it’s time to REALLY get up? 


Find a gentle stretch routine that suits you. You can make a difference this new year.


For a start, you can follow this simple and fluid home practice sequence, by clicking here.


Need some clues and more help for a start? Here you go, click here.

--moon

Blog name – carrot head and applemint

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