The way you start your morning impacts the rest of your day. Your morning routine sets the tone of your day, and it can also get you into the right frame of mind for a pleasant day. When you start right, there’s a big chance of having a productive, happy, and successful day. Thus, it’s quite important to have a morning routine that works for you.
The Morning Routine That Works For You
How do you know the perfect morning routine that works for you? Well, everyone has a different routine when starting the day. What works for you may not work for someone else. Thus, you need to consider your goals, motivations, lifestyle, and personality when creating a perfect morning routine to start your day right.
A perfect morning routine should help improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being. It shouldn’t necessarily take a lot of time, but should help you start your morning strong. It should also create a positive mindset for you to prepare for the day ahead.
Morning Routine Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right
Let’s take a look at some fantastic morning routine ideas to start your day off right. Keep in mind that there’s no a one-size-fits-all approach to creating an ultimate morning routine. Below, we’ve provided some great ideas, and you can choose what fits your lifestyle, life goals, and personality while targeting your happiness, health, and productivity.
Get enough restful sleep
Getting enough restful sleep comes before every other routine you have planned for your morning. If you do not get enough sleep, your day may not be eventful as you planned. Before you start implementing your healthy morning routines, your body must be well-rested. The way you feel throughout the day depends partially on your sleep patterns. During sleep, the body works to maintain your physical health and support your brain function.
Similarly, getting out of bed when you wake up can sometimes be the most challenging part of your morning. Thus, do not hurry to leave the bed. Take some minutes to treat yourself in bed with calmness and relaxation. Enjoy the quietness of the morning, or plan your day from the bed, or read before rushing off your bed.
Set your clocks five minutes ahead
This may sound surprising, but making your brain believe you are late can help you hurry things up. Set your clock five minutes ahead to help you buy extra time when you leave the house. Seeing the incorrect time everywhere at home may eliminate unnecessary lagging at some chores. You can also be prompt in going to the office, attending meetings, or keeping appointments when you have extra five minutes ahead.
Snooze your smartphone
Most of us check our smart devices for work email, messages or surf the internet immediately when we wake up. This routine can make your mindset reactive instead of proactive, leaving you in a defensive mood throughout the day. Learn to detach from your smart device for a few hours of the day. This allows you to settle with the present-moment awareness and gives you a positive focus.
Stretch your body or do some exercise
Whether it is a brisk walk, a simple yoga routine, a set of push-ups or sit-ups, or visiting the gym, starts your day with body stretching. A quick morning workout energizes your body and puts your mind at rest. Schedule the kind of workout that suits you every morning and easy for you to follow. Physical activities in the morning get the blood flowing and make you agile.
Tidy up your physical space
You may have decluttered your bedroom before sleeping; you still need to make your bed in the morning when you wake up. It’s like the first accomplished task of the day, and it gives you a feeling of satisfaction and makes you feel more settled in your space in the morning. According to Naval Admiral William McRaven, The U.S Special Operations Commander, in his 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas in Austin,” If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.” He further explains, “by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”
Meditate
Meditation in the morning is a great way to start your day. Some of the science based-benefits of meditation include improving concentration and reducing anxiety. Meditation helps clear the obnoxious thoughts in your head. Before you start your day’s activities, incorporate meditation into your morning routine to train your mind and emotions to react to challenges throughout the day.
Drink some lemon water
Drink lemon water first thing in the morning, especially on an empty stomach. Adding lemon to your water detoxifies the digestive tract. Carry out this routine 15-30 minutes before you eat breakfast. Lemons contain several nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. When you drink lemon water early in the morning, it boosts your energy levels mentally and physically. Lemon water ensures you stay energized by helping the body improve its nutrient absorption.
Listen to some soothing ambiance
The mind gets stimulated in the morning when you listen to some music. Ambient noise can increase your productivity and creativity, and you can build this experience. To create background noise, we have apps like A Soft Murmur or Noizio to help you play some soothing ambiance. You can create a music playlist that can do the magic for you. If you are not ready for music, play some ambient noise.
Start with self-care
Do not rush off the house without taking care of yourself. Put time and effort into practicing self-care every morning. So brush your teeth, floss, shower, comb your hair, apply grooming /hygiene habits, and build self-confidence. This may involve planning on the clothes and accessories to use for the day. Do whatever makes you feel good and confident about your appearance.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Do not skip breakfast if you want to start your day off right. Breakfast is one of the most important things you need in a day. Eating a healthy breakfast free of excess calories gives you the ability to focus and more energy to work in the day. Breakfast helps you prevent hunger pangs and unhealthy snacking during the day. Plan your breakfast, and avoid convenience meals.
Create a step-by-step plan or schedule for the day
A little planning for the day can go a long way in helping you stay organized and productive. Take a few minutes and plan your day by creating a “to-do” list for the day ahead. Avoid overloading your schedules to make them easy for you to follow. Rank your items in order of priority, and make sure you start with the most pressing things first. A “to-do” list prevents mental chatter and gives you a sense of purpose for the day. You do not keep floating without many thoughts of what to do, but you gain an understanding of accomplishment at the end.
Do the things you love
Every morning, spend a half-hour on the things you love doing. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, writer, or artist, take time every morning to do something new. You can even master a new skill before leaving the house. For some hobbies that require more time, do as much as you can each morning. Whatever your hobby or passion, devote time to it daily and learn something new.
Read a book or listen to a podcast
Stimulate your mind and feel motivated by reading a book in the morning. Be it fiction or self-help, read something, and see the difference it has in your mindset through the day. You can read on your way to work if you had little time at home to devour a few pages of your favorite book. Some people prefer to listen to a podcast in the morning because it allows them to carry out other routines at once. While working out, you can listen to a podcast and start your day most productively.
Take time to laugh
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. Apart from its numerous health benefits, starting your day with laughter is the quickest way to ease your mind and body. Look for ways to infuse laughter in your morning routine, such as listening to comedy shows or reading comics. Laughter elevates your mood and increases your focus and attentiveness all through the day. Having a good laugh each morning can also reduce the stress and anxiety of the day.
Connect with your loved ones
Take time to connect with your loved ones in the morning. Call your friends and family and let them know you love them. Hug your spouse, roommate, or pet, kiss your kids, and connect with them. It makes you feel good, happy, and joyous in the morning. It also gives you the best positive mood for the day.
A Perfect Morning Routine Starts The Night Before
It would be best to keep in mind that a 100% morning routine starts the night before. When you sleep early, you can wake up early after getting enough. For some, waking up early in the morning is challenging. However, when you wake up early, it’s like an investment in yourself. You will have an opportunity to enjoy some calmness and tranquility while getting ready for the day. It also helps to boost your mood for the day. Thus, the best way to have a successful morning routine is to prepare for it the night before.
You can adopt these morning routine ideas as part of your healthy habits for the new year. Become your best self by implementing these ideas. Stay organized, be focused, and in-control of your mornings. Set your day up in a healthy manner so that you can be productive and successful.
Hey Joyfreshers, how do you start your morning? What are the morning habits that make your day better and productive? Tell us some of the morning routine ideas you like on our list.
