Did you know that having a morning routine can set you up for a good day? A morning routine can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. A good morning routine will include an activity that will help you mentally and/or physically get ready for the day. It can benefit you in a variety of ways, for example, by creating a good mindset ready to tackle the day, increasing productivity, and promoting wellbeing.
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A morning routine can be as short or as long as you like. That is the great thing about it. It can be completely adapted to your needs and the available time that you have. Some people like to get up early and have lots of spare time on their hands, in which case, they can create an extended morning routine. Other people may only have 5-10 minutes, which would mean picking a select few tasks. It is vital to choose the tasks that will have the most impact on the rest of your day.
Whether you have a morning routine that needs sprucing up, or you would like to create your first ever one, here are some tips for a good morning routine, to help you get started on your journey to having better days.
Get enough quality sleep
While this is not strictly your morning routine, getting enough quality sleep is vital to how your morning routine will play out, and the rest of your day. Your morning routine starts the night before. Not only should you prepare any items ready for the morning, but you will also prepare yourself by getting a good night’s sleep. You should ensure you get enough hours of sleep, but also good quality sleep. Both are equally as important. Spend your evenings winding down and not doing anything too stimulating, like scrolling on social media or exercising. If you wake up tired, you are not going to have much energy or be very productive. Getting enough sleep will set you up for a good morning routine, and a good day. In addition, you should avoid snoozing in the morning. While you may feel tired and want that extra 5 minutes, it will make you more tired. It also means risking sleeping in and not making time for your morning routine at all.
Make a plan
You should start by making a plan for yourself. This will mean when you wake up, you can get into your morning routine straight away, without having to think about it. If you don’t make a plan, then you will wake up and waste time procrastinating and thinking about what to do. This can make your morning off to a slow start, and even mean you don’t get anything done. If this happens, you are likely to feel bad about it, which sets a bad tone for the rest of your day. Consider what time you need to leave for work. Then you can work backwards from there, and consider how long you need to get ready and to eat before work. You can then set your alarm earlier than this time. The time will depend on whether you want to give yourself a 5-10 minute morning routine for a small task, or whether you want to fit more in and give yourself 1-2 hours.
Hydrate
The first thing you should do when you wake up is have a glass of water. This should be an integral part of your morning routine and will set your day up for success. When you have been asleep all night, you have not had access to water and your body has been detoxifying and recovering. This will help you to quickly hydrate yourself, and positively impact your wellbeing. When you are well hydrated, you will find you have a lot more energy throughout the day. It will also help things like your mood, your skin, and more.
Have a mindful cup of tea or coffee
Making yourself a hot drink in the morning can be a great way to wake you up, but it can also be used as a mindful moment. This is because you can use your senses just with the drink, for example, by feeling the warmth of the cup in your hands, the smell of the drink, and the warm first sips that you take. Try not to do anything else when you have your morning hot drink, and focus on being present. You can make this a whole activity as well, by making your drink from scratch. You can obtain some delicious coffee beans from a local supplier, use a burr coffee grinder and make it in a barista machine. This will enable you to feel a sense of accomplishment while leveling up your hot drink game in the morning. This will make your morning much more enjoyable and set you up for a good day.
Prepare a good breakfast
Food is fuel for your body. The worst thing you can do is skip breakfast. You can start your day off on the right foot by making yourself a nutritious and hearty breakfast. There are many options to choose from. If you have time on your side, then you may choose to cook a fry up for yourself. Alternatively, you can prepare the night before some baked oats or muffins. You should choose something that you enjoy eating and something that you have time to make or prepare in advance.
Movement
It can set your day up right when you move your body first thing. This could be a 5-minute stretch, a 20-minute walk, or a 40-minute workout. Movement will get your mind and body to wake up, get your blood circulating, and improve your mood and energy levels.
A morning routine is a great way to set your day up for success. Whether you move for 5 minutes or cook a fry-up, make sure you include things you like to do. Follow these top tips to help you get started.