Whether or not you are a “morning person”, your morning routine is an important step in setting you up for success. We all have different routines. Some routines lead to hectic crazy mornings and others to more calm, calculated and scheduled mornings. Your mornings can either drain you of necessary energy to get you through the day, or inject some energy to keep you productive.
The secret is to spend your morning hours on the right things that will make your energy last as long as possible.
Here are 7 Simple Morning Routines to help Set you up for Success:
Routine #1: Schedule your alarm clock accordingly
When you arrive at work, are you already frazzled because you have been rushing all morning?
Have you ever woken up late for some reason (alarm broke, electricity went off during the night)? You panic as soon as you see the time, rush through breakfast and getting dressed and run out the door. By the time you get to where you need to go, you are already panting. This is not a fun scenario.
However, some people, day in and day out, schedule their wake-up times in such a way that they have to rush throughout the entire morning. If you find yourself having to rush just to make it on time, try waking up 30 minutes earlier. Even if you are not a morning person, making this a habit will eventually make it easier.
Why start your day already behind schedule?
Routine #2: Drink Water
Our bodies are composed of about 60% water. The advantages of recharging this fluid are many:
- Water helps to flush out toxins in your body and skin.
- Productivity boost – A glass of water could help you concentrate and stay refreshed and alert.
- Fatigue Buster – When you wake up, your body is dehydrated. One of the common symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Starting your day with a big glass of water before you even have breakfast helps fight dehydration and fatigue.
- Brain Power – A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. Dr Pawson raised the possibility that water consumption may have a physiological effect on thinking functions that result in improved exam performance. He also proposed the possibility that consuming water may alleviate anxiety, which is known to have a negative effect on exam performance.
Routine #3: Exercise
Do you want a boost of energy in the morning? Schedule your exercise routine in the morning instead of the evening. Exercising gets your endorphins going, resulting in increased productivity and energy levels. Working out can increase your mental clarity for four to ten hours post-exercise.
Studies found as well that people who work out in the morning tend to get a better sleep than those who work out in the evening. When you work out in the evening, your energy levels are higher making it harder to get a restful sleep.
Routine #4: Most Important Meal of the Day
Yes, it is breakfast. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can help improve your concentration and performance throughout the day. It can also increase your strength and endurance to engage in physical activity. Trying to incorporate elements like an energy drink into your breakfast can also be good for boosting your energy and providing a stimulant to your brain.
Breakfast is also a great time to just relax before you start your day. Spend time doing something that is relaxing like reading a good book. I tend to spend a few minutes catching up on social media then the rest of my breakfast reading. I purposely give myself 30 minutes to take my time and have breakfast. I also make sure that I wake up before anyone else and make this time my “me” time.
No time for breakfast, see routine #1.
Routine #5: Take time to reflect, meditate or whatever works for you
I never learned how to meditate and maybe one day I will figure it out. As mentioned above, my breakfast time is where I usually take the time to do something relaxing. During my morning coffee or tea, I think about what I want to get accomplished during the day.
Routine #6: Planning ahead/ know what you want to accomplish
Hopefully, you are already practicing writing down your goals and scheduling tasks that you need to accomplish in order to achieve your goals.
Mornings are a great time to review your priority goals and to plan out your day. This will help ensure that most of what you are doing is getting you one step closer to your goals. You should be setting goals for your personal as well as your professional life. Review what you accomplished the day before and readjust according to needs. To make this process even smoother, the best planner app for iPad can help keep your goals and tasks organized in one place.
Routine #7: Coach Best Practices for those in your household
Even if you practice the above routines and make them a habit, it does not mean that the people in your household will do the same. It can be difficult if a member of your household are one of those people who make their mornings hectic. Have a conversation with your family and practice the successful routines together. Make it a challenge and try to have fun. Set the example and hopefully, your family will follow your lead. I know this step can be more difficult since it is not necessarily in your direct control.
Is there a morning routine that helps set your day up for success?