5 healthy habits to add to your morning routine

I love hearing about morning routines. Everyone is so different. I have pretty much the exact same routine every workday, unless I'm meeting Jill for a coffee date or taking a rare early morning Pilates class with Kim!

6:45 - Wake up, feed the dog and cat, start breakfast
7:00 - Watch the Today Show while I eat my breakfast
7:15 - Start getting ready
7:30 - Wake up my husband, let the dog out again, get dressed
7:45 - Gather my things, pack a lunch, start the coffee
8:00 - Out the door

There's something to be said for starting your day off right. How you begin your mornings can often set the tone for your whole day. Just one or two healthy choices, whether mental, physical or nutritional, can set you up for a day of success. Add one of these healthy habits to your morning routine and watch your day improve from the start.

Add sunlight
In lieu of overhead lights, go ahead and open all the blinds or curtains. Natural light is best for a gentle wake up and can help you adjust from sleeping to being awake.Our front windows face east, so i get to see the sunrise form my kitchen usually.

Add whole grains to your breakfast
First off, you are eating breakfast, aren't you? If not, it's time to start. I almost always have 100% whole wheat toast with peanut butter and homemade jam. The more whole grains you eat at breakfast, the less room you'll have for a sugary snack around 10 a.m. - goodbye, office cookies.

Add knowledge
Skip the mindless Facebook posts in favor of the morning news. I always watch the first 15 minutes of the Today Show while I eat my breakfast. Or, switch on an educational podcast or radio show on your way to work. Whether you're learning about a new medical study or just staying connected to what's happening in your city, you'll feel a little more aware of what's going on outside the social media bubble.

Add a calming scent
While most people would consider lighting candles to be a romantic evening gesture, I think I'll start lighting mine in the morning. My favorite scent is the Capri Blue Volcano candle from Anthropologie - just the smell can calm me down and put me in a good mood for my day.

Add a 5 minute stretch
I almost always wake up with a stiff neck. Someday I'll find a magic pillow that helps, but until then, I just stretch the creaks away. Stretching increases blood flow and releases tension. Start the coffee pot and do overhead arm stretches and standing forward folds right there in your kitchen. Or, while you're brushing your teeth, tilt your neck side-to-side and stretch your torso. Multi-tasking while you stretch means you don't have to wake up any earlier to accomplish this goal!

What are your favorite morning rituals?