The fitness buff has some key pointers for feeling refreshed.
Each morning starts a whole new day. Obviously, you’re probably thinking. But really think about it — how we start the day usually dictates how we finish the day. If you begin in a bad mood, chances are you’ll end your evening on a sour note.
For a few years, I battled chronic anxiety. I struggled to the point where I had histamine responses like Will Smith in the movie Hitch. In 2018, I even ended up in the hospital — on my birthday, of all days. Eventually, I went on prescription medication to gain control of my out-of-whack stress response.
This inner turmoil was all due to bad habits I had formed: I didn’t have an active stress management routine, I was a new father, and I was juggling multiple businesses. Those stresses, coupled with some poor personal choices I had made, resulted in high anxiety.
But after implementing a series of refreshing new practices (all of which I teach in my six-week course) I was able to sleep better, communicate better, calm down, and feel at peace. If you’re in search of something similar, I’m sharing my morning routine to help you find it.
Ryan Cooper’s Morning Routine
Breathe
Every morning, I take 20-40 big, deep, powerful breaths — all before leaving my bed. Sometimes, I implement the Wim Hof method of hyperventilating before holding my breath and controlling my heart rate. During that time, I meditate on what I’m thankful for. When I focus on these incredible memories, my heart rate naturally lowers. Seriously, you’ll love this.
Have a beverage
The first thing I do upon getting up (unless I have to race to the bathroom) is to get a big glass of water into my body. But that’s not all: I also add a dash of cayenne pepper, a pinch of Himalayan salt, and the juice squeezed from a quarter of a lemon. This kickstarts my hydration for the day and helps me better understand my own hunger and thirst. (I’ve found that for me personally, sometimes what I think are hunger pangs are actually signaling thirst.)
Take a shower
I usually bathe twice a day. Sometimes three times a day — it’s a miracle and my mother would be proud. Need some pointers? Here’s my routine: I rinse off under warm water, then lather myself with soap. But here’s the key: I make the water as cold as possible before rinsing myself clean. Seriously, give it a try. It sucks for a second, but it’s invigorating and has plenty of health benefits. And you’ll definitely be awake afterward.
Look in the mirror and loudly say, “Today is going to be a wonderful day.”
Affirmations always put me in the best headspace to take on whatever challenges present themselves.
Pro-tip: Try pairing this exciting checklist with the workouts, nutritional advice, and meditation sessions found in Cooper’s fitness packages. And now’s the perfect time, since Cooper is cutting a deal for Katie Couric Media readers: Using the promo code KCM50, you can get 50 percent off Cooper’s fitness packages. Your mornings will never be the same.
