Morning routines are marketed as the ultimate secret to productivity, enhanced metabolism and improved concentration. But lots of viral health tips are not scientifically substantiated. An expert debunks many such myths and talks about how the actual result can be achieved.
The notion of adopting a “perfect” morning routine has achieved near cult status, particularly on social media, where health tips claim better metabolism, sharper focus and improved productivity. From rising before the sun to drinking lemon water or skipping breakfast, many of these habits are widely believed to provide quick health benefits but science doesn’t appear to support all the popular morning practices.
What is preferable for the body often varies based on individual lifestyle, sleep patterns and nutritional needs. Misunderstanding these habits, at times, might cause unnecessary stress and unhealthy routines instead of actual enhancement of energy and focus.
Dr Nandini Shankara Narayana, Consultant Endocrinology & Andrology, KIMS Hospitals Bengaluru, talks about how focusing on simple, evidence-based habits can have a far greater impact on metabolism and mental focus than following popular morning routine myths.
Just because you wake up early doesn't mean you will be successful if you feel tired all day long.
• The Reality: The reality is, you need between 7-9 hours of sleep. If you get up too early and not get enough sleep, your body will be stressed and you may feel hungrier.
• The Solution: Go to bed at the same time every night. Getting a good night's sleep is more important than what time your alarm goes off.
Lemon water is tasty, but it will not cause fat to burn off your body or "fix" your body.
• The Reality: The good thing is drinking water and not the lemon in the water. When you sleep for several hours, you develop a thirst in the morning.
• The Solution: Drink at least a full glass of water as soon as you wake up; this will keep you feeling fresher and more alert..
Some say that skipping breakfast can help with weight loss. This is not true for everyone.
• The Reality: Skipping meals makes concentrating on work difficult, many people who skip breakfast may consume snack foods later in the day because they are too hungry.
• See Fix: It is ok to eat a light breakfast if you feel hungry. This will give you steady energy, so you don't crash. It is a different story if you are doing intermittent fasting.
4. Fallacy: Working Out in the Morning is Better Than Working Out in the Evening
Though some say morning is the best time to work out, there is no specific time that is best for exercise. Working out in the morning will not give you any health benefits compared to exercising in the evening.
• See Truth: You should work out whenever it's convenient for you.
• See Fix: If working out in the morning is inconvenient for you, work out later in the day if that is convenient for you. You should work out whenever you can, and this should be done every day until it becomes a habit.
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• Get adequate rest; it greatly affects how well your brain works.
• Drink water; always do this before drinking coffee.
• When you feel hungry, eat. Choose healthy food; this will provide energy.
• Stay physically active, even if in short multiple intervals.
Get some sun. Step outside for 5 minutes. It tells your brain it’s time to be awake.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis
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