If you are like most Americans, you probably have a pretty busy schedule. Every day when you wake up, you might be confronted with a mountain of responsibilities that need to get done. Maybe you have a busy day at work, classes to attend, social engagements in the evening, meals to cook, people to call, or children to take care of, and the hours seem to disappear quickly.
When you need to maintain high energy levels throughout the day, your morning routine can have a significant impact on how the next ten to fifteen hours are going to go. The right rhythms can prepare you well for a productive day, just as an inconsistent or poor routine can start you off on the wrong foot.
Building the perfect morning routine may require a lot of trial and error to discover what habits energize you and prepare your mind for the tasks ahead. Here are a couple of ideas for starting your day with a bang and setting yourself up for a great 24-hour period.
Prepare What You Can the Night Before
A great morning routine starts the night before. If you can prepare certain aspects of your routine before you even head to bed, it will give you more time in the morning and allow you to move at a relaxed pace when you wake up. Simple steps like laying out your outfit, collecting work materials needed for the following day, and knowing what your breakfast will be can all result in a more efficient morning schedule that allows you to take your time. Plan ahead and see what you can get done before going to sleep.
Skip the Snooze Button
One of the strongest temptations known to humanity is hitting the snooze button for that early alarm. We all want to gain precious extra minutes of sleep to feel better rested and energized for the rest of the day. But hitting the snooze button is not helping you at all. The small bursts of extra sleep you may get as a result have no benefit as a part of your sleep patterns since the REM cycle is no longer active. Instead, these short moments may result in you feeling even more tired than if you got up right after the first alarm. Plus, the sooner you get up, the more time you have for the rest of your routine so you can avoid feeling rushed.
Start with a Healthy Breakfast
Wellness is a major indicator of energy levels and productivity. If you lead a healthier lifestyle, you tend to be more successful in other areas of your life. The best way to promote health throughout the day is to start something healthy in the morning, like a nutritious breakfast. This small and simple first step can get the ball rolling, leading you to make more healthy decisions over the course of the day. A healthy breakfast could include a delicious fruit smoothie, yogurt with berries and oats, healthy cereals, or even a brown rice bowl with avocado and eggs. Depending on how much time you have, you could choose a quick option or take the time to cook up something fancier to deliver the nutrients your body needs to start the day.
Plan a Morning Workout
Another step you can take to be healthier is to plan a workout to start your day. It could be an intense exercise like jogging or something simple like a morning Yoga session. This activity can get the blood pumping and wake you up even more so that you are prepared for a productive and energetic day. Just make sure you consider when is the best time to exercise and eat so that you don’t get an upset stomach by running right after breakfast.
Take a Moment to Relax
Building a little extra time into your routine can serve a huge benefit to your mental health. You can spend a few minutes enjoying your coffee while sitting out on the deck on a warm morning. Or, you can read a couple of pages from your favorite book, basking in the morning sun from the window. If you like to start the day with news, give yourself a few minutes to catch up on the day’s headlines. If you can convince yourself to wake up just five or ten minutes earlier to create this extra time, you can improve your mindset before the day starts moving quickly.
Pick an Outfit that Gives You Confidence
If you didn’t already lay out your clothing for the day last night, then now is the time to select your look. Updating your wardrobe to follow current trends, but adding your unique style, can provide you with an extra shot of confidence as you start your day. Choose an outfit that you love the look of when you wear it. Starting your day with a confidence boost can give you the energy and boldness you need to be productive. Plus, feeling good about how you look is a great way to support mental health.
You Are Ready for the Day
By implementing some of these strategies into your morning routine, you can build the perfect pattern that injects you with energy, excitement, and a positive attitude as you begin the day’s activities. Figure out a rhythm that works for you and try incorporating these tips one or two at a time to see which of them works best.