Life-Changing Morning Routine Habits
The foundation of a productive day is an established morning routine. It is important to begin the day on a good note, and not just any routine will do. This article covers eight life-changing morning routine habits that practically guarantee a successful day.
SET A FIXED BEDTIME AND WAKING TIME
Having a set sleep schedule is important as it gets your body into a routine of going to bed and waking up at specific times. It becomes easy to wake up early if you make it a habit to get up at the same time every day. Other benefits of a set bedtime and waking time include better quality sleep, a set circadian rhythm, and less feelings of grogginess throughout the day.
WAKE UP WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO GET READY
There is nothing worse than waking up 10 minutes before you need to leave for work or school, scrambling to get out the door on time. Factoring in extra time to get ready in the mornings makes for a calm and stress-free morning routine. Remember, however, this habit is not an excuse to sit in bed on your phone or hit snooze 10 times. The goal is to create a routine where you do not have to stress about time in the morning.
CREATE A SET ORDER FOR “GETTING READY” TASKS
Another life-changing habit is to create a step-by-step list of the tasks you must complete each morning. An example is 1) wake up 2) brush teeth 3) wash face 4) take vitamins, etc. It is nice to be able to go through the motions of getting ready in the morning without having to do a bunch of decision making the minute you wake up. Another benefit is the more you follow this set routine, the more it becomes an automatic habit in your life.
DO NOT GO ON YOUR PHONE
In this day and age, it is safe to assume that most of us use our phones as alarm clocks. This habit of not going on your phone does not have to do with alarms, but rather scrolling on your phone. Checking your phone right away overwhelms the brain and can lead to stress and anxiety. Going off the grid for the first 30 minutes to an hour of your day ensures a calm morning routine. Getting ready for the day also goes a lot quicker without the distractions of social media and various apps.
STRETCH/EXERCISE
Many people enjoy getting a good sweat in before starting the day. That sense of accomplishment and pride after getting up and moving your body is a great feeling. If you do not have the time (or desire) to go to the gym, stretching at home is a good way to wake up your body. Going for a walk is another great way to move in the a.m.
MEDITATE OR RECITE AFFIRMATIONS
A key part of a successful morning routine is engaging in an activity that puts you in a good headspace for the day. Some people enjoy morning meditation. Click here to try out a loving kindness meditation. If meditation isn’t your thing, reciting affirmations also creates a positive headspace. Some affirmations include:
● I am refreshed and energized
● Today is a beautiful day
● I am motivated to achieve my goals
● I create the life I desire
● I am thankful for my blessings
GET DRESSED ASAP
This habit is especially important now that working from home is common and it’s tempting to stay in your pajamas or sweats for most of the day. What you wear affects your mood and potentially your productivity. When dressed up for the day, that urge to crawl back into bed and curl up under the covers isn’t quite as strong.
COMPLETE SMALL TASKS FIRST
This last habit might not be for everyone. Some people prefer the “eat the frog” approach of completing your toughest task first. We agree that it is a good idea to get that daunting task out of the way, yet we don’t believe it should be the very first thing on your to-do list. Checking off a few small tasks from your to-do list starts the day off on an encouraging note (ex: make bed, tidy up room, schedule dentist appointment, etc.). Completing these minor tasks first will give you the confidence to tackle the larger tasks.
Everyone is different, so everyone’s morning routines look different. Try out these eight life-changing morning routine habits and figure out which ones work for you. The morning is the start of your day, so make sure your day begins on a peaceful yet productive note.
