What do your mornings look like?

What you do in the morning can set the tone for what happens for your entire day right up until you go back to bed. A solid start leads to a successful day. Start your day with rituals that make you feel powerful and alive.

The right morning routine will change your life. If we fail to appropriately manage our time and health needs, mornings can be the most stressful part of our day. Many of us deal with the dizziness of an unpleasant, hectic rush every morning in preparation for work or school, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

I have always been an early riser. Early mornings when no one else is up yet is my favorite time of the day. It is me time and I have my routine. My rituals that set me up for a successful day. And I get it, not everyone is a morning person. However, I wonder? Is that really true or have you just conditioned yourself to believe that? What would be the pay off for getting up a little earlier? Here are a few things to consider:

1. People who get up earlier are less likely to be stressed. Now, I'm not going to go so far as to say you will not be stressed simply because you wake up earlier. I'm an early riser, but I am also a very high-stress, go-go-go type person.

Waking early is one tool that I use to combat my stress. I feel like I have more time in the day, and don’t feel so pressed by all the days tasks that are before me. Most of my stress is self-inflicted, so mentally I’m able to start my day off in a better place if I get up earlier!

2. Waking up early allows you more time to have a healthy and nutritional breakfast. If you are rushing out the door, you are less likely to factor nutrition into your decision of what to eat for breakfast. If you are in the camp of not eating breakfast, getting up earlier gives you time to make sure that you get it in!

Further, you are more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day because you have more time to prepare your meals for the day.

3. As the day goes on, your ability to make smart, informed decisions dwindles as you become more and more mentally fatigued. You’re more likely to make a well thought out and informed decision at 10 am as opposed to 5 pm, right before you leave work.

If you can start your morning by avoiding the decision-making process by automating your morning routine, you are avoiding becoming mentally fatigued earlier in the day.

4. By waking up early, you are automatically giving yourself an advantage because you are ahead of what is coming. You essentially have the opportunity to get ahead of your day and whatever its going to throw at you. More than likely, something that wasn’t planned in your day will happen. If you rise early, you leave yourself some extra time to deal with those unplanned things that require time to complete.

The specific habits you choose will depend on your values and goals. Start small and have fun experimenting. Consider these ideas for morning rituals designed to help you thrive:

Empowering Morning Rituals for Your Body:

1. Skip the snooze button. Do you feel groggy even after 8 hours of sleep? The trouble could be your snooze button. It interrupts your body’s natural waking process. That can cause sleep inertia that lasts for hours. 

2. Drink water. You may want to postpone your first cup of coffee. Plain water will rehydrate your organs and make you feel more alert. You can add a little flavor with berries, herbs, or cucumber slices. 

3. Eat breakfast. You also need to refuel. Enjoy a balanced meal of traditional breakfast foods or heat up some leftovers. Smart choices include Greek yogurt with fruit or a fish taco.

4. Work out. Complete your main exercise session or move around a little, especially if you’ll be sitting at a computer for hours. Choose an activity that you love, like yoga or swimming.

5. Weigh yourself. If you’re trying to lose excess weight, stepping on the scale each day may help. Keep in mind that daily fluctuations are natural, so look for upward or downward trends.

6. Go outdoors. Morning light wakes up your body and starts a hormone cycle that prepares you for restful sleep at night. Sit on your patio or bike to work.

 

Empowering Morning Rituals for your Mind:

1. Avoid technology. Resist the urge to lose yourself in social media. Turn off your phone or check for urgent messages only.

2. Be prepared. Starting on tasks the night before can make your mornings more pleasant. Lay out your clothes and pack your briefcase.

3. Meditate and pray. Nourish your spirituality. If you’re a beginner, start with a few minutes of meditation and build up your time gradually.

4. Repeat affirmations. Give yourself loving and motivational messages. Speak in the present tense and keep your statements brief. Looking in the mirror can help you focus.

5. Connect with loved ones. Enjoy family time. Play a word game with your kids while you’re helping them get dressed. Tell your partner that you love them.

6. Cultivate gratitude. Count your blessings. Think of someone who you need to thank today.

7. Continue learning. You could use your mornings to complete your degree online or study more informally. Listen to history and economics podcasts. Read high quality fiction or nonfiction.

8. Have a project. Do you struggle to find time for yourself? The early hours may be an opportunity to engage your personal passions or expand your side gig.

9. Listen to music. Research shows that listening to music reduces anxiety and enhances mental alertness and memory. Put together a personal playlist or turn on your favorite radio station.

10. Plan your day. Set goals and block out your time. Otherwise, external events can keep you from focusing on your true priorities. Remember to leave yourself adequate downtime for refreshing breaks.

Kick off your day with a morning routine that will make you feel more productive and fulfilled. Adopt positive habits and jump out of bed with a smile.