What side of the bed we wake up on has a huge impact on the rest of our day. Establishing positive energy and a positive mindset early on can make us more creative, more relaxed, more efficient, and more productive.
Easier said than done, right? When that alarm clock rings at 6:00 AM, positive energy may be the last thing on your mind. Hitting the snooze button five times in a row is often far more tempting than leaping out of bed to meet the day head on.
Establishing a morning routine can add some structure and energy to those mornings when you can’t seem to pull yourself out from under the blankets. If you’re looking ahead toward a busy day full of appointments, meetings, tasks, or projects, a solid routine can give you a strong foundation from which to start your day.
The most important thing about a routine is that it is customized to you. Make sure your routine is organized in a way that is simple enough that you’ll stick to it. We all need something different to start our day in a way that will help us be the best we can be. Read on for nine simple and easy activities you can start tomorrow.
Commit to a gratitude journal. Starting the day by taking a few minutes to write down what you are thankful for can do wonders to put you in a positive mindset. Writing with gratitude also keeps fresh in your mind the reasons you are working hard every day – your family, your friends, your health, your dreams, etc.
Read something positive. Many people start the day by opening up the news and catching up on current events. While staying up to date on what is going on in the world is obviously important, try to make the first thing you read every day something positive. It can be a couple pages from a self-help or self-growth book, an old letter from a good friend, or even a positive article online.
Wait to look at your email. What’s the first thing many of us do when we open our eyes? First, we curse the alarm. Then, we reach for our phone and open up our email. The world moves fast and we all know that communication is key in business. However, jumping straight into your inbox when you wake up doesn’t allow you any time to center yourself before you get to work. Furthermore, going through emails has a way of leading us down rabbit holes. Before you know it, three hours have gone by and you haven’t gotten a chance to start on your real work. Get yourself focused and going before you sit down to tackle those messages.
Make a daily to-do list. Most of us will make a to-do list when we know we have a lot of tasks to accomplish. But, committing to making a list every morning will help you get a clear idea of what your main focus for the day needs to be. Plus, checking off items and tasks as you tackle them provides you with a sense of completion that will help keep your motivation strong all day long.
Work out. If you have time in the morning, a quick workout can help you feel energized and awake. Some cardio in the AM will keep your energy levels high through the afternoon. Plus, getting yourself to be active is much easier in the morning than at the end of the day when you’re already worn out from work.
Try morning stretches. Even if you don’t have time for a full workout in the morning, there are other simple ways that you can get active in the morning. Simple stretches and yoga gets your blood moving. By increasing blood flow, you’re helping your brain get focused and your body prepare for a day of productivity.
Sit in the sun. Our internal clocks run in part based on sunlight. Exposing yourself to sunlight in the morning re-calibrates your circadian rhythms and tells your body and mind that it is time to be alert and active. Plus, it’s the perfect time to enjoy that cup of coffee.
Eat something healthy. The worst thing you can do in the morning is skip breakfast. Even if you find that you aren’t particularly hungry when you wake up, try to at least eat something small. Providing your body with nutrients and energy early in the morning will help you hit the ground running and can even help ward off that afternoon slump.
Start with water. If you’re wondering what the very first thing you should do when you open your eyes is, try drinking a glass of water. Our bodies get thirsty overnight, and water is not only refreshing, but it can help kick-start your metabolism for the day, ensuring that you get the most energy possible out of your meals.
What do you do every morning to start the day out right? Let us know in the comments!