Your body is still adjusting from rest to wakefulness in the morning. Heavy lifting, high-intensity workouts, or starting your day with emotional stress like arguing or worrying can put extra strain on your heart and blood vessels.
A study from Uppsala University found that doing high-intensity exercise after a night of poor sleep can raise levels of the heart stress marker troponin.
Better morning habits for a healthy heart
Instead of these risky habits, try gentle, heart-friendly morning routines:
- Drink warm water to rehydrate.
- Eat breakfast with antioxidant-rich foods: green veggies, fresh fruit, green tea, walnuts, flaxseeds.
- Move slowly: stretching, deep breathing, or a calm morning walk can help regulate blood pressure.
- Moderate exercise can help boost your HDL, or “good,” cholesterol. With your doctor’s approval, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, or 20 minutes of more vigorous aerobic exercise three times a week.
These small tweaks can go a long way toward keeping your arteries clear, blood pressure stable, and heart safe.
Remember, your morning choices may set the tone for your heart all day long — and paying attention now could save your life.
