Start Your Day Right With These 3 Morning Stretches

Waking up in the morning can be difficult, but setting aside a few minutes to care for your body first thing can set you up for success. As coach Tyler from We Shape says, "Often times we wake up we stub our toe and the whole day is horrible from there." Avoid this by doing morning stretches that will make you "feel so much better in your body."

Stretch Your Hamstrings

Tyler recommends stretching your hamstrings before even getting out of bed. Lie on your back and put a towel or yoga strap around the ball of your foot. Straighten your leg, grab the towel, and pull your toes back towards your nose to activate your shin. This "finds a deep stretch into the calf." Hold for 60 seconds each leg.

As Tyler explains, "When we stretch the hamstrings they loosen up and they give our body's ability to hinge forward through the hips more safely." Starting your day with hamstring stretches makes the whole body feel better.

Activate Your Glutes and Hamstrings

After stretching, come to a seated position at the edge of your bed. Place your hands behind you and walk your feet forward. From here, perform a "tabletop lift" by squeezing your shoulder blades together, driving your heels back, and lifting your hips up.

Do 10 reps of this motion. Tyler advises keeping your elbows forward to "activate the muscles between our shoulder blades which will give us better posture." This move strengthens your posterior chain.

Open Up Your Lats

The final exercise targets your lats and shoulders. Sit tall on the edge of your bed. Reach one hand overhead, leaning your body to the side. Switch sides for 10 reps on each.

As Tyler says, "Focus on the arm reaching up rather than collapsing down" to lengthen your spine safely. This standing side bend opens up the lats while challenging your balance and mobility.

Start Your Day By Caring For Your Body

Rather than hitting snooze and starting your day on the wrong foot, take a few minutes to perform quick morning stretches. These movements recommended by Tyler from We Shape loosen up tight muscles, strengthen your posterior chain, and enhance mobility to set you up for a great day. Show yourself you can care for your body, and your body will care for you in return.