a healthy morning routine is a crucial part of your day. it sets you up for success throughout the rest of your day and has been linked to better overall health, higher job satisfaction, and greater productivity. we'll show you how to build your routine, starting with the best time to get up in the morning (hint: it's not when your alarm goes off).
forget about working before you wake up.
if you want to set up a morning routine, it's important to get rid of the idea that you need to work in the morning. if you're trying to build a productive morning routine, working before you wake up is probably going to be counterproductive. it's not uncommon for people in the early stages of building their routines to feel like they need an hour or two of quiet time with their laptops before they can start their day properly—but that's just not true!
what will help your productivity more? working after waking up or waiting until after breakfast? if we were forced at gunpoint (which would be pretty cruel) we'd have no choice but to say: "working after breakfast!" working first thing in the morning means that your mind isn't fully awake yet; most people aren't able to think clearly until they've had coffee or tea and eaten something sweet as well.
don't hit snooze.
if you're like me, sometimes you'll hit snooze and go back to sleep before realizing that this won't help you get more sleep. when you do, your body will be in a lighter stage of sleep and therefore harder to wake up when the alarm goes off again. instead of hitting snooze over and over, just get out of bed when your alarm goes off and put in the extra effort to wake up fully by using some of these techniques (see below).
get up when your alarm clock goes off! even if it seems impossible at first, every time I've tried this I've been pleasantly surprised by how much more alert I am throughout my day once I finally drag myself out from under my comforter cocoon.
open your blinds (or pull back the curtains).
the next step in the process is to open your blinds (or pull back the curtains). The sun is a natural alarm clock, so it can help you wake up naturally and feel more awake, positive, and productive.
go outside and get some sunlight.
if you're looking to build a morning routine, the first thing that might come to mind is getting up early. and while that's certainly an important part of building a routine, it's also important to remember that your body needs sunlight as well.
sunlight helps set our circadian rhythm and alertness levels, which helps us feel better throughout the day. sunlight also affects mood—it boosts serotonin levels in our brains and can help with depression or feelings of anxiety. a study published by Harvard medical school found that those who were exposed to more natural light during the day had higher vitamin D levels than those who weren't (and vitamin D deficiency has been linked with everything from depression to cancer).
getting outside for at least fifteen minutes per day will also help you sleep better at night—even if it's just on your porch or balcony! sunlight exposure before bed can help regulate your body temperature so it doesn't drop too low when it's time for bed; if this happens too quickly while we're sleeping, we'll wake up feeling groggy instead of refreshed!
drink a glass of water.
drink a glass of water before you eat.
drink a glass of water before you go to bed.
drink a glass of water when you wake up.
drink a glass of water when you feel hungry (even if it's been mere minutes since your last meal).
drink a glass of water when you feel stressed (it helps with concentration, stress levels, and energy).
stretch your body, not your brain.
we've all heard the advice to "wake up your mind!" when you want to get a good start in the morning. you can, however, wake up your mind by stretching your body—and it won't take nearly as long. stretching is great for waking up because it allows you to become more aware of how your body feels and what its needs are at that moment in time. in other words, stretching is an exercise in mindfulness! this practice will help prepare you for the day ahead by getting rid of any tension built up from stress and providing energy before tackling anything else.
stretching isn't just about making sure that everything works properly; it also helps promote better posture so that we feel better about ourselves (which can lead directly to feeling more confident). feeling more relaxed after some gentle stretches means having less anxiety or worry weighing down on our minds throughout the day—and when we're relaxed we may find ourselves being happier overall (see below)! finally being able to control our bodies through mindful movement means feeling empowered throughout everything else going on around us; being able to set aside worries while focusing only on moving correctly feels like a small victory!
do some light exercise.
exercise is good for you, and it can be done at any time of day. you don’t have to do a strenuous workout in the morning if you don’t want to; just some light exercise will do the trick. a walk around the block or a yoga session are both great options, but if those aren’t your thing, try something else!
make your bed.
making your bed is the first thing you do when you wake up, and it's a great way to start the day. it makes you feel more organized, it's easier to get more done throughout the day, and if you're having trouble sleeping at night, making your bed will help improve that too!
eat a healthy breakfast.
you've probably heard it before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And with good reason—starting your day off with a healthy breakfast can set you up for success throughout the rest of your morning and give you more energy to tackle your daily tasks.
the best part about incorporating a healthy breakfast into your routine is that it doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming; all you need is a small amount of preparation (such as buying ingredients or preparing food) beforehand so that making something quickly in the morning is easy. for example, if I know I'm going out for lunch later in the day, then instead of cooking eggs at home first thing in the morning before work, what I'll do instead is cook enough eggs so that they can be used later as an ingredient in my lunch salad.
read something inspiring or informative.
reading something inspirational or informative can set you up for success throughout the day. reading is a great way to start your day, and it’s also an easy way to change your attitude for the better. if you want to feel more relaxed, focused, and confident, try reading something inspiring or informative before starting your morning routine.
a healthy morning routine will set you up for success throughout the day.
by the end of this blog, you'll know how to build a morning routine that works for your life and helps you feel energized, prepared, and mentally focused.
here's why a morning routine is important:
- it gives structure to your day. your mornings are probably chaotic—you're rushing out of bed and trying to get ready for work or school as fast as possible. without an organized plan in place, it can be easy to get off track by skipping breakfast or rushing through your morning rituals at top speed. however, when you have a morning ritual planned out ahead of time (like making coffee), your brain knows exactly what needs to happen next when it wakes up—and that reduces stress significantly!
we've covered the basics of how to build a morning routine that will help you feel more energized, productive, and happy. remember that there are no right or wrong ways of doing this; what works for one person may not work for another. try out different approaches until you find something that feels comfortable for you.
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