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There are days when getting out of bed is quite the challenge. Fortunately, there are thousands of other days when getting out of bed is almost a pleasure. The difference between the two types of days lies in your morning routine.
When I started to wake up earlier, I discovered something important. The earlier I woke up, the more productive my morning was. Now, I still have my days where I oversleep but some good habits changed my mornings in a very good way.
Goals are one of the most important things in life. No matter the industry, goals distinguish the average and make people remarkable. They bring the best out of a person and help achieve self-fulfillment. Successful people always set clear goals for their business and life. Without that there is no need to work on anything else in this world.
Why do we need morning routines?
Before we dive into what a good morning routine looks like, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves why we need them in the first place.
There are several benefits to having a morning routine:
It helps you maintain healthy habits: When you set aside time every day for exercise or meditation, it becomes much easier to stick with those activities over time. You may even discover new ways to improve your health by finding new exercises or changing up your diet.
It gives you energy: When you start your day off with an invigorating walk outside or an energizing exercise session, it’ll make it easier for you to tackle any obstacles that come your way throughout the day.
They set the tone for everything else that follows: If you spend those early morning hours doing things that matter to you (instead of checking Facebook), then by dinnertime your head will be clearer, your mind will be sharper, and you’ll have accomplished more than if you’d spent them any other way.
Help you get up earlier: When you have a long list of things to do in the morning, setting aside time for a morning routine will help ensure that you don’t have to rush through your day. If you have time to spare, you can use it for other productive activities.
Allow you to relax when needed: This reduces stress levels in general and increases productivity overall. Having a relaxing activity at the end of your day gives your mind time to rest and recover from any negative emotions or thoughts that may have been plaguing it throughout the day.
Morning Routine Ideas For A Productive and Stress Free Day
#1 Drink Water. Drink water when you wake up. This helps with hydration, which can increase energy levels and improve brain function. Drinking water first thing in the morning gives you an opportunity to get it out of the way before all hell breaks loose at work or school, which means less stress on your mind later on in the day.
The water bottle used below is one of Amazon’s best selling and for good reason. Have you looked at the motivation labels on it? So cute!
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#2 Listen to a Podcast. I love listening to podcasts on my commute to work, but it’s not always easy to find the time during the weekdays when my schedule is packed. So I decided to listen while getting ready in the morning — it takes no extra time at all, but it helps me feel more productive before I even start work!
Podcasts are great because they keep your mind active while you do something else — such as getting dressed. I recommend listening to something educational or inspirational before work, but if you’re not into that, try music or an audiobook instead.
#3 Make the Bed. Making the bed is an easy way to start the day. It takes less than 60 seconds, makes a big difference in your morning and it’s something you can do while you’re still half asleep.
And by making the bed as soon as we wake up, we’re essentially training ourselves to do more productive things during our morning routine.
#4 Eat a Healthy Breakfast Within 30 Minutes Of Waking Up. Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast helps you feel full and energized throughout the morning — and not just when you first wake up.
The best thing about breakfast is that it doesn’t have to be complicated! Just choose something high in protein and fiber that will keep you satisfied for several hours after eating. Good choices include eggs, Greek yogurt with fruit, whole grain cereal with milk and nuts, or steel-cut oats with fresh berries.
#5 Have a Cold Shower. I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out.
A cold shower not only wakes you up and gets your heart pumping, but it also helps clear your mind and reduce stress levels. It’s an easy way to start off the day feeling invigorated and ready to take on whatever comes next.
#6 Meditate. The morning is a great time to meditate, especially if you’re going to be spending most of your day at work. Meditation is a great way to get your mind focused and ready for the day ahead, and it can help you stay calm and relaxed throughout the day.
If you don’t have time for a full yoga or meditation session in the morning, try taking five minutes to sit quietly with your eyes closed and focus on your breath. You can even do this while waiting in line at Starbucks!
#7 Journal. Journaling is one of the best ways to get your morning routine off on the right foot. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, it can be a very effective tool for clarifying your thoughts and setting intentions for the day ahead.
Journaling is also a great way to reflect on how you’re feeling after an eventful day. It allows you to look back on your experiences and find meaning in them, which can help you grow as a person.
There are plenty of ways to journal, but here are some tips for getting started:
Create a space where you can write without distractions. This could be any place where you can sit quietly for 10-15 minutes and not be disturbed by anyone else. Set up this space with all the supplies needed for your method of journaling, such as pen, paper or notebook.
It doesn’t matter what you write, but make sure it’s something that you feel passionate about. If you don’t know what to write about, start with the following questions:
What are you grateful for?
What are your goals for today?
What do you want to accomplish this week?
What are your top three priorities for the day?
Write down these answers and then reflect on them later in the day. THIS JOURNAL is mine.
#8 Do A Morning Stretch. Stretch and move for 5-10 minutes every morning before work. This could mean doing yoga poses or going for a brisk walk around the block. If you’re pressed for time and don’t want to leave your house, try some bodyweight exercises like pushups or squats.
Stretching helps keep your muscles loose and improves circulation throughout your body. It also helps clear your mind so that you can focus on what’s ahead for the day.
#9 Read A Book. If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation, reading is an excellent way to start your day. Whether you’re into fiction or nonfiction, reading provides new ideas and perspective on the world around us that helps us grow as individuals. The best part about this tip is that it’s completely free! THESE are some of my favorites on Amazon!
#10 Set An Intention For The Day. Before you even get out of bed in the morning, ask yourself what your intentions are for the day. What do you want to accomplish? How can you make someone else’s life better? What kind of person do you want to become?
You don’t need to write these down or share them — just ask yourself these questions when you wake up. See where they lead you throughout the day as they guide your actions and inspire your thoughts throughout the day.
#11 Workout.
Exercise is a great way to start your day. It can get your blood flowing, help you wake up and give you the energy to tackle whatever comes your way.
Exercise can also help you focus and concentrate throughout the day. This is because exercise helps stimulate brain chemicals that improve memory and learning. Brain chemicals called endorphins are released during exercise and this can help relieve stress and improve moods.
In addition, exercising regularly will make it easier to wake up early each morning. If you have trouble staying awake at work, then try this before you leave for work in the morning.
#12 Listen to a Feel Good Playlist. This is probably one of my favorite parts of my morning routine! I love listening to music while getting ready because it helps me stay focused and motivated while also relaxing me at the same time.
Listening to music is great for concentrating on something else while getting ready in the morning. You’ll also feel more energized and ready to take on the day when you hear your favorite songs playing through headphones or speakers.
#13 Make a Fruit Smoothie. Smoothies are easy to make and can be prepared in advance. All you need is a blender and some basic ingredients like milk and yogurt. Add plenty of fruit — berries, bananas and peaches are great choices — along with some nuts for protein and some oats for fiber.
#14 Make a List of Things To Do. Make a list of everything that needs doing and prioritize them according to importance and urgency. This way, when something comes up during the day that needs your attention, you’ll know exactly what needs doing next instead of wasting time deciding what order things should be done in (and perhaps forgetting one).
#15 Prepare your workspace. Prepare your workspace by getting rid of clutter and making sure that everything you need will be within reach. This includes things like your planner or calendar, pens, paperclips, stapler and anything else that would help you get through the day more easily.
Make sure that everything is organized so that you don’t waste any time looking for something during the day. You’ll also be able to focus better when you’re working if everything around you is clean and organized.
#16 Drink Tea Instead of Coffee. If your morning routine includes coffee, try replacing it with tea instead. You’ll still get that caffeine boost, but tea is less acidic than coffee and contains more antioxidants. Plus, studies have shown that people who drink tea are less likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t.
I used to drink coffee every day, but over the past year or so I’ve switched to tea instead. It calms my nerves and helps me feel less jittery in the morning. I drink peppermint tea before work and I swear by it. Not only is my energy higher, the morning bloat is gone! It’s amazing. Check out the article HERE. Plus, drinking tea is better for your health than coffee (and much gentler on the wallet).
#17 Go on a Slow Walk. Wake up early enough so that you can get in at least 30 minutes of exercise before breakfast. Even if it’s just a brisk walk around the neighborhood or around the office complex, this will help wake up your mind and body for the rest of the day ahead.
#18 Go Screen Free All Morning. The first thing I do when I wake up is turn off my phone and computer. This might sound like an extreme measure but it has been one of the most effective things I’ve ever done for improving my productivity and happiness.
We are constantly bombarded by information and distractions, so it’s important to get rid of them as much as possible before starting your day. Turn off your cell phone and any other electronic devices that might distract you from what you need to do. This means no social media or email checking until after you’ve finished your first task for the day!
#19 Say Positive Affirmations. Positive affirmations are short statements that can help improve your mood and mindset. They can be said aloud or silently repeated in your head — whatever works best for you!
Here are some examples:
“I am beautiful.”
“I am loved.”
“Today is going to be an amazing day.”
“I am open to receiving new opportunities today.”
#20 Visualize. As soon as you get out of bed in the morning, take a few minutes to visualize yourself being successful at each task on your list — whether it’s exercising or eating breakfast — until it feels real and possible in your mind’s eye. This practice can help motivate and inspire you as you go through your day. So even if something goes wrong along the way, you’ll still have confidence that success is possible.
Visualizing is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals. It helps you prepare mentally for what’s coming next and makes it easier for you to stay focused on your objectives.
At The End Of The Day..
There is no “right” way to have a productive morning routine; it’s really all about what motivates you and helps you stay on track. What works for one person might not work for another. But if you put some thought into your morning routine, and you make an effort to stick with it every day, then you should start seeing results—and feel better mentally and physically as well.
A morning routine is one of the most time-effective things you can do to have a productive day. Set aside time in the morning to make yourself a strong cup of coffee, catch up on your planner, or go for a walk. Whatever it is, make sure you put into practice some aspect of your morning routine consistently to give yourself an immediate boost. Then take that energy and apply it to what you need to get done. A bit of discipline will help set you up for an effective and productive day!
If you have a morning routine, what is it? If you don’t, why not? Tell us about your best morning routine tips. Also, which of our ideas above are you going to implement in your morning routine?
pamela says
Very inspiring post. Some things I already do but others I need to bring into my routine. I realized recently how important reading is for me, now to exercise I’m going to need to make an effort. thanks!!
Tatiana says
yes! start off with one and make it a habit 🙂