Let’s face it, many of us are not morning people, and it is easy to understand why. You’re comfortable and relaxed in your warm, cozy bed without a care in the world. You want nothing more than to remain in that tranquility for as long as possible.
All is well until the alarm sounds and you’re struck by the reality that life is filled with obligations and responsibilities that must be met. Time waits for no one, and if you’re going to successfully accomplish the day’s goals, then it’s time to drag yourself out of bed and start moving.
Mornings can be hectic, and how you start your day is vitally important. Your morning routine can play a major role in how the rest of the day is going to unfold. If you start your day by getting up late and having to frantically rush out the door to avoid being late for work, then the success of your day is already potentially compromised.
To start your day with some positive momentum, try incorporating these 5 small additions to your morning routine.
1. Wake Up 30 Minutes Earlier
The worst way to start the day is to feel like you do not have enough time. When you do not leave yourself enough time to complete your morning routine without having to rush, it naturally raises stress levels. Avoid this at all costs, as the rigors of daily life have enough stress to overwhelm without unnecessarily adding a frantic morning into the equation.
The best practice is to figure out what time you think you need to be out of bed to comfortably accomplish everything that you need to do in the morning… then set your alarm thirty minutes earlier than that. This will allow for ample time even when unforeseen events occur that may slow you down.
Oh, yeah, and do NOT press the snooze button when that alarm goes off. Snoozing once may seem like not a big deal, but one snooze tends to lead to another, then another, and so on. Just don’t do it.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
We’ve all woken up with a mouth so dry that we could almost swear that we sleep walked through the Sahara all night. Sleeping dries us out, and it’s important to rehydrate immediately in the morning.
Proper hydration promotes higher brain function and boosts your energy — both crucial elements of a morning routine. It is even more important if you are someone who happens to struggle with headaches with some frequency, as many headaches are simply the result of poor hydration.
Even if you are a coffee drinker, you will be doing yourself a big favor by having a tall glass of water first thing in the morning.
3. Get Your Body Moving
This one takes a little motivation, but it is also hugely beneficial to perform some physical activity as part of your morning routine. Exercise has been shown to have a number of physical and mental benefits such as boosted energy levels, improved focus and alertness, as well as promoting a better mood. What better way to start your day than to immediately boost your energy levels and focus?
This isn’t to say that you need to go out and run 5 miles in the morning. The important thing is to just do something that increases your heart rate. If you don’t like running, take a quick 15 minute walk, or even just do some push-ups in your bedroom. Whatever you choose to do, make it a part of your morning routine.
4. Listen to Some Tunes
Listening to your favorite music is an excellent way to get your day started. Music can reduce anxiety and improve your mood, both key factors to setting yourself up for a successful day. Research has even shown that listening to music can reduce blood pressure. What better way to start your day?
This one is the simplest to accomplish as well, which is a bonus. As soon as you wake up, just put on your favorite music while you go about your morning routine. I find that listening through some quality earbuds works best, as it really gives a feeling of immersion as opposed to just playing it over speakers. However, whatever works best for you is fine.
5. Make a List
If your day is filled with many tasks to accomplish, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. There is nothing more frustrating than getting back home after a long day of work before realizing that there is something you forgot to do while you were out.
Organization is hugely important to having a successful day, so I find that it helps to make a list of tasks that need to be accomplished each day. This is part of my morning routine, and it just makes the day flow so much better and it is a real confidence boost any time I am able to check something off the list throughout the day. It shows me that I am accomplishing goals, which leads to lower stress levels.
Try adding this to your morning routine and watch how much more productive you feel.
Don’t Stop There
These are just five things you can add to your morning routine to increase productivity and get your day started on a positive note. However, it is also important to experiment and see what works best for you. For example, if waking up 30 minutes earlier still makes you feel a time crunch, then try 45 minutes. If you are unable to get in a regular exercise routine, try getting into the habit of a good stretching routine. Maybe if you don’t like listening to music for some reason, then listening to your favorite podcast is a good substitution.
Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is that you consciously put together a morning routine that you can maintain and that makes you feel good. When you start your morning in a good mood and with a positive mindset, it will play a large role in carrying you through a successful day.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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