THE BEST MORNING ROUTINE

A perfect morning routine is when you wake up and you decide to fit in a quick morning workout at home before making breakfast and starting your workday. From avoiding social media to drinking water and listening to a podcast. This will promote wellness and set you up for the rest of the day. 

Whether you’re a morning person or not, creating a routine that promotes wellness is essential to staying productive and encouraging efficiency for a successful day ahead.

Steps for a good morning routine:

1. Get a good night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is crucial for productivity according to U.S Studies. For many of us, getting a full eight hours of sleep each night requires a bit of planning. 

Tips when it comes to getting quality rest:

• Avoid strenuous activities like exercising and heavy lifting toward the end of the day. Instead, take a warm bath to decompress or read a book to induce sleepiness.
• Set a time to turn off the TV and other electronics. 
• Set your alarm for eight hours or more after bedtime to ensure you’re well rested.
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2. Avoid the snooze button

While you may intend to only get five more minutes of sleep, hitting snooze can quickly become a half hour. Hitting the snooze button can be disastrous to your morning routine. Create a routine of waking up the first time your alarm goes off. 

Ways to encourage this habit include:

• Counting to five: After five, force yourself to get out of bed and begin your day.
• Keeping slippers near your bed: Slippers can make getting out of bed slightly easier on cold mornings. Keep them bedside so you always have them close.

3. Give yourself enough time to get to work

Giving yourself enough time to mentally and physically show up for work is essential—especially if you don’t consider yourself a morning person.

Tips:

• Be intentional about when you wake up. 
• Get eight hours of sleep
• Set your alarm so you have enough time to complete your morning routine 
• Whatever time you choose to wake up at, remember to set aside enough time for personal activities so you don’t overwork yourself.
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4. Drink a full glass of water

Hydration is key to your health. Drinking water is a crucial component of a great morning routine because when you feel good, you’re more focused hence more productive. 

Ensure you drink a full glass of water when you first wake up. It’s a good idea to do this before your morning cup of coffee or tea. This also combats any dehydration that occurs from caffeinated drinks.

 

5. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea

Appreciating an aromatic cup of coffee or tea can make starting your day more enjoyable. Likewise, you can take this time to breathe deeply and give yourself a few minutes of mindfulness before you begin the rest of your morning routine.

6. Prepare a healthy breakfast

Prepare a healthy breakfast with ingredients that make you feel good.  Eating healthy can be easier than you think. A simple bowl of oatmeal or a quick smoothie can support your health without requiring a lot of prep time.

7. Take advantage of self care

Self care allows you to support your happiness and well being. From a grooming routine, like a shower and a skincare regimen, to reading a book to relax. 

What you define as self care will be unique to you. Here are some ideas to create a self-care routine of your own:

• Take a hot shower or bath to relax.
• Apply a face mask to take care of your skin.
• Read a book you enjoy to get your brain ready to work.
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8. Fit in a quick workout

Statistically, active people are more relaxed and in better spirits than inactive people. Avoid mental fatigue by working out in the morning. Activities you can try to get your heart rate up include:

• Jogging around your neighborhood before work.
• Riding a stationary bike while watching the morning news.
• Doing yoga to strengthen your core and reduce stress.
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9. Say positive affirmations

Affirmations support a confident mindset and can motivate you to do your best and believe in yourself throughout the day. 

Examples of common affirmations that you can try include:

• I am excited for the day.
• I am grateful for my job. 
• I will have a successful week.

Read these positive affirmations to yourself out loud or write them in a journal each morning to cultivate a more positive mindset.

11. Prioritize important tasks

Dedicating time each morning to reviewing and prioritizing your tasks for the day. You can do this with a to-do list or personal planner.