If you’re like us here on Daybreak and need a little extra pep in your step in the morning; here’s some tips from fitness expert Doug Quinlivan at Ascent Fitness.

“A lot of people when they get up and go to work they feel kind of sluggish, it takes a little while for them to get things going.”

If this sounds like you, here’s a quick fix, no caffeine needed.

Doug said, “This is just designed to wake you up and get you going.”

And it feels good too. Start with a hamstring stretch.  “Hamstrings are a big culprit when it comes to tight lower backs.”

Lean forward straight over your legs while you breathe deeply. Doug said, “You will increase your range of motion pretty fast.”

Stay seated and cross one leg over the other and twist your torso toward your extended leg on the floor.

“You’ll notice that as you exhale you can get deeper into the stretch,” Doug said.

Switch sides and you’ll feel a nice lower back and hip stretch.

“Come down in a laying position, hands out by your side, keep your hips on the mat, and you’re just going to arch your back up. And again, only go as far as you feel comfortable going.”

Hold that for about ten seconds, then repeat.

When you’re ready, stand up for a side trunk rotation. Twist as far as you can and rotate back around to warm up your spine.

The, feet together, bend forward and stretch out your hamstrings again. Then come up in one motion and arch back. Doug said, “Some people call this a good morning.”

If you add these simple stretches to your morning routine, Doug says you’ll have more energy and even increase your metabolism a little bit.