“If You Win The Morning, You Win the Day.” — Tim Ferriss
Out of all our daily routines, our morning routine matters the most. The start of a journey directly impacts the end; a sunny start will always end on a good note. Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day; this year, it's time to get your morning right so the rest of your day can be stress-free and more joyful.
To build a good routine, we must build productive habits, so here we will discuss what a healthy morning routine looks like and ways for you to stay positive and promote mental well-being.
What is a Good Morning Routine?
A healthy morning routine combines many individual practices that have been shown to improve daily productivity. Morning routines that are good for you accomplish everything from boosting your mood to improving your health.
Let's talk about several great ways to begin your day, from staying off social media to getting enough water. The following habits can be altered to fit your own needs. Remember, though, that for them to be effective over the long haul, you must be consistent.
1. Wake Up Early
If you have the willpower and determination to follow through, making waking up early a habit can have numerous positive effects on your life, including increased energy levels, improved efficiency, and more free time.
Also, if you get up earlier, you won't have to rush through breakfast since you won't be thinking about all the other things you must accomplish before you get to work. Beyond the apparent material gains, establishing a morning routine that helps you relax and focus can also help you think more clearly throughout the day.
Getting up before sunrise may seem daunting, but you may ease into it by setting small, manageable objectives, such as waking up 15 minutes earlier each day.
2. Start Bullet Journaling
Mornings can be stressful, so why not bullet journal your way out of chaos? Starting the day by organizing your thoughts on paper relieves stress and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Bullet journaling is great for listing goals, tracking habits, and listing to-dos. You can also record the events of your day or save inspiring quotes. It's easily adjustable – no matter how simple or complex you want it to be, the sky's the limit with this type of journaling!
Its versatility can become a beneficial tool for grounding yourself and focusing on what matters most. Putting everything down on paper helps create peace of mind and allows for inspiration throughout the day.
3. Stay Hydrated
These benefits of water are undeniable and cannot be ignored. Indeed, this has been well-documented for quite some time. While drinking water throughout the day is essential, it's imperative to do so first thing in the morning.
The body needs water to perform several metabolic activities, and after fasting for 6 or 7 hours, your body will need this water. After getting your beauty sleep of eight hours, one of the first things you should do in the morning is to drink a glass of water to rehydrate and revitalize your body.
Start your day by drinking some water at room temperature; it will help you relax and lower your blood pressure.
One of the best routines you can get into is drinking water first thing in the morning. You can also take hydration supplements if you want to make it even better.
Related Article: Here’s How Hydration Supplements Supercharge Your Summer Workouts
4. Make Your Bed
The simple act of getting out of bed and making your bed can be a surprisingly effective way to kick off the day. Not only does it make you feel like you've accomplished something on your own, but it also gives the appearance that your bedroom is neat and well-organized right away.
On top of that, having an orderly space for rest at night can improve sleep since you don't have any outstanding tasks from the evening before cluttering your mind or dragging on your energy.
Making your bed should become a daily ritual that will help keep you productive and focused throughout the day. It will only take a few minutes of your time, it is a simple task to complete, and it will provide you with a good foundation for whatever obstacles may lie ahead.
5. Stay Away From Your Phone
When you open your eyes, make it a priority to minimize your time on your mobile phone. Because the longer you scroll down the pages of Facebook or Instagram, the more you are giving your brain permission to store all of the unfavorable information you are exposed to.
There's a good chance you have no idea, but this teeny piece of technology can make your stress levels skyrocket. Your phone's news feed can negatively impact your attitude and productivity for several reasons, including a low bank balance and the perception that everyone else is doing fine.
Let's stop scrolling until the morning because you'll be tethered to your phone for the rest of the day. This is a terrific way to start your day and will assist you in keeping your cool throughout the day.
6. Start With a Healthy Breakfast
Starting the day off with a healthy breakfast can be one of the best things you can do for your body. Eating a well-balanced meal first thing in the morning helps kickstart your metabolism, giving you energy throughout the day and reducing cravings for unhealthy snacks.
You don't have to eat a big breakfast either - studies show that even eating a small portion of protein and carbs in the morning will fuel your body and prepare it for physical activity like exercise or sport.
Not to mention, eating a meal with high fiber can help keep your digestion regular and provide essential vitamins and minerals! Start becoming a morning person by creating a breakfast routine: get up early enough, so you're not rushed in the morning, plan out recipes ahead of time, and always make sure to include something nutritious like eggs, oatmeal, or yogurt. A well-rounded meal can set you up for success all day long.
7. Meditate
Few activities can genuinely make a positive, lasting impact on your day-to-day mindset, like beginning the morning with a short session of meditation. Ten minutes of silence and mindfulness can help improve focus, reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and even boost creativity.
In addition, it can give you time to reflect on upcoming tasks and strengthen your self-discipline. By starting your day with an effort towards quiet introspection, other pursuits become easier to handle throughout the day.
Whether it’s a quick five minutes of stretches and deep breathing exercises or a full hour of yoga in the park at sunrise, taking time out for yourself right away will have a long-lasting effect on both your physical and mental well-being.
Related Article: What is Meditation? 5 Reasons to Start Meditating
8. Go Outside
One of the best ways to start your day is to get some fresh air and exercise first thing in the morning. You not only get the chance to appreciate nature and breathe in some fresh air but doing so also has a few positive effects on your health that you should take advantage of.
Letting more natural light into your home can assist in resetting your body's internal clock, which is often referred to as your circadian rhythm. This can enable you to get up early and feel more alert throughout the day.
Research has shown that the fragrances of trees and flowers can boost one's mental well-being and lessen stress. And getting some early morning sun exposure will give you a healthy dose of vitamin D, which can help you feel more energized throughout the day.
You should consider going for a morning walk to improve your physical and emotional health and get a head start on a productive day.
9. Listen to Something Inspiring
Starting the day with inspiration can be a great way to fuel your fire and get you going. Whether it's a podcast, an audiobook, or uplifting music, anything that can allow you to stay motivated and think positively will make all the difference in setting the tone for the rest of your day.
There are many great sources to choose from, and spending even five or ten minutes listening to something inspiring could affect how your entire day unfolds.
You may feel more energized and motivated after listening in on something that makes you think deeper or feels good about yourself. When it comes to living a successful life, proactive self-care is essential for having long-lasting success.
10. Take It Slow
Starting your morning slowly and deliberately can make a huge difference in your stress levels throughout the day. Waking up early is essential, but you don't need to immediately jump out of bed and start tackling a million tasks.
Instead, taking several minutes can help you prepare for the day ahead and reduce your anxiety. Start by allowing yourself a few moments of stillness when you first wake up so that you can relax and reflect. Drink some tea or coffee and re-collect your thoughts before proceeding with other tasks/habits. Keep your morning as stress-free as possible.
Take Away
Starting your day off with a good morning is fine, but if you switch it up to a great morning instead, you may have an even better day! Developing positive habits in the morning can help get you into a positive mindset which might be all you need to make the most out of your day.
So what are you waiting for? Start implementing the tips mentioned above today and develop healthy morning habits that will help you succeed in the long run.