“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive; to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” — Marcus Aurelius
Every morning, we get the chance to start fresh, make the most of our day. Waking up early for many people feels like a struggle, but for me, it's my favorite time of the day. If you start to get into a habit of morning rituals, you increase your chances of feeling good, becoming more productive and happier throughout the day.
Here's simple things to do before 10 a.m. to make your days shine a little brighter.
Drink water. This is a very simple task but one many forget to do. Your body awakens dehydrated, so it's important to drink up first thing in the morning. Also, adding a short muscle-stretching sequence of exercises to your morning schedule will increase flexibility, improve circulation, reduce stress throughout your day and improve your posture.
Meditation or some simple breathing is one way to begin your day with a sense of calm. Switch up your routine of grabbing your phone first thing in the morning. Instead, take a few minutes to sit and experience the quiet.
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." — Meister Eckhart
When you wake up, be grateful. Start your day with by reflecting in gratitude. Reflect upon the little things you're grateful for. We often take many things for granted that we receive on a regular basis. A consistent practice of gratitude in the mornings increases your awareness of gratitude throughout your day. This will make you more resilient when challenges occur, which will help change your perspective.
Set a goal for your day. When you awake, set your daily intention. Make this your priority. Making your goals a priority throughout the day will help you feel more productive at the end of it.
Put on music! Upbeat and fun music not only helps wake you up but it fills you with positive energy for the day!
Do your hardest task first. It may seem easy to get little things checked off. But it has been shown that when you finish your hardest task, it leads to a more productive day. It also helps stop procrastination over the things we like to do the least.
Make your bed. This seems silly, but I feel if I make my bed as soon as I awake, I'm less likely to become lazy and lay back down in it. It's also a great habit to keep a clean room. Your surroundings are everything. If you are surrounded by clutter, your mind will feel cluttered as well.
Come up with your own rituals and routines in the morning! Make the positive step in making the most of your days while enhancing your thoughts, peace and serenity.
