Without the stress.
For most of us, to say that the morning rush can be hectic, is an understatement. We all go through basically the same rituals every morning, but does the morning routine you currently follow align with your needs and goals? Is it promoting a productive and energetic start to your day? Or are you just in survival mode?
You can begin your day with a productive morning routine that sets the stage for productivity and focus. Whether you're a morning person naturally or not, these simple ideas can boost your energy and concentration throughout the day. Plus, simplify your morning routine. Yay!
While discovering the ideal productive morning routine for your needs is essential, it may not happen overnight. And this routine will look differently for each person as we're all in various seasons of life. It may take experimenting with a variety of ideas and combinations until you uncover the perfect morning routine that best complements your lifestyle. But it will be worth it in the end. Plus, finding YOUR perfect morning routine will ensure that it not only enhances your daily productivity, but is also sustainable.
A Productive Morning Routine Starts the Night Before
1. Manage sleep habits
Waking up with a full night of quality sleep is the best thing you can do to jumpstart a productive day. Making it a priority to get a good nights sleep will have a positive effect on your entire life-not just your mornings!
2. Prep the night before
On top of waking up rested, prepping the night before will have a huge impact on how your morning begins. Depending on your lifestyle this may look like selecting an outfit for the morning, showering before bed instead of in the morning, making lunches, or prepping the coffee pot.
jump Start your productive morning
1. Don't hit snooze
Get up early. It's important to allow yourself enough time to not be rushed in the morning, as this can run over into your whole day. While sleep experts argue whether hitting the snooze button will make you foggy and unfocused throughout the day or not, it WILL definitely cut into your time and could make you late. If you have trouble waking up when the alarm goes off, consider placing the alarm clock across the room or in the kitchen by the coffee pot. Once you're up turning off the alarm, it easier to just start your day. Hatch has a gentle sunrise alarm clock that mimics the sun and your own natural circadian rhythm. This can be a game-changer for heavy sleepers.
2. Drink water
Get your body off to a good start by drinking a glass of water soon after you wake up. This will replenish fluids lost from the night, gives your skin a boost, kick starts your metabolism, and improves both the immune and lymphatic systems.
3. Eat
Eating breakfast can improve focus and memory throughout the day! Who doesn't want that?! Eating a nourishing breakfast also helps stabilize blood sugar and your metabolism. If eating breakfast is not your usual routine, explore a few recipes that sound appealing, and evaluate if you see a difference in concentration levels or focus.
Include your mental and spiritual needs into your morning routine
1. Avoid Social Media
Oftentimes it's tempting to pick up your phone and check your messages or see if you missed anything overnight. Instead, try spending time with friends or loved ones face-to-face. Spend a few minutes cuddling your significant other, or asking your kids about their plans for the day. Or play fetch with your dog before you leave for the day. See if you notice a difference in your day when you spend this time making real interactions.
2. add in Quiet time
Take a few moments to yourself for quiet time. This time can be used for reading, journaling, counting your blessings, saying positive affirmations, prayers, or meditation. This time will help you start your day centered and balanced.
3. prioritize your day
You can do this mentally or write them down. But the act of prioritizing your duties for the day, will help you focus. Depending on your personality, you may find it easier to complete the most difficult tasks first. You may hate dreading it all day. But for some people, it's the opposite. They find it easier to start small and celebrate those wins in order to build motivation to tackle bigger problems. If you aren't sure, try it each way and mindfully assess which strategy works for you.
Hit the ground running-literally
1. Let's Get Physical
Plan your productive morning routine with some physical exercise to get your blood pumping. And those happy endorphins! This can mean running for 30 minutes for some people, or simply doing yoga or stretching for 10 minutes. Either way, you won't regret it. Exercise in the morning has been shown to improve focus for the rest of the day, as does mindfulness. It also improves sleep and your mood, on top of other health benefits.
2. sunlight
Sunlight in the morning is beneficial to your sleep pattern at night, regulating your circadian rhythm. Sunshine will also boost serotonin which increases positivity, productivity, and focus.
While it is our goal to have a productive morning routine that is sustainable long-term, it's also important to listen to our bodies and evaluate if a certain tip or strategy works for us. Forcing ourselves to follow a rigid morning routine will only become another stressor. NOT our goal! Inevitably, your morning routine will change with the seasons of life as they ebb and flow, so allow yourself to be flexible as needed. Don't think of changes as a failure-but as a survival skill. Whether these seasons are cooking breakfast for your kids, or your commute time changed with a new job, give yourself the gift of flexibility. In time, you'll find learn to adjust your morning routine.
