The way we handle our mornings always seems to affect our attitudes throughout the rest of the day. Here are 11 tips that will help you have a more efficient, productive, and beneficial morning routine that will help prepare you for a better day.
1. Wake up early
It may not be fun, but waking up early is the number one thing you can do to have a better morning routine. With extra time in the a.m., your routine can be more relaxed, allowing more time for things like meditation or exercise.
2. Don't keep hitting that snooze button
We're all guilty of doing this in the morning. Unfortunately, those few extra minutes of sleep won't make you any less tired. You'll just find yourself wasting time instead of doing something productive or beneficial.
3. Don't get on your phone as soon as you wake up
Apart from straining your eyes and damaging your mental health, getting on your phone first thing in the morning is a bad idea because it wastes an incredible amount of time. You can waste so much of your time scrolling through Instagram, when instead, you could be doing literally anything else.
4. Have a fixed schedule
Having a specific schedule laid out for your morning is a great way to increase productivity. It will limit the amount of wasted time and guarantee that you'll be able to fit everything you want to do in your schedule.
5. Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up
Whether it's hot, ice-cold, or with lemon, drinking water is a great way to help you wake up, and improves the functioning of your metabolism. Also, it will help you not eat an excess amount - dehydration can often be mistaken for hunger.
6. Make a healthy breakfast
In this case, "making a healthy breakfast" doesn't just mean eating some whole grain cereal with almond milk. Actually taking the time to prepare and cook your own meal ensures you are eating healthy food that's real and whole. Quick tip - try to incorporate vegetables into your breakfast every morning!
7. Meditate
You can and you should dedicate just 5 minutes of your morning to meditation. It's a great way to let go of any negative thoughts or tension and will help prep your mind for the rest of the day. The meditation app Headspace is a personal favorite of mine because it's so easy to use, and costs just $10 a year for college students!
8. Exercise or stretch
It doesn't have to be an intense workout, or even really a workout at all. As long as you're getting your body up and moving, you'll feel more awake and energized, and ready to take on the day.
9. Prepare for your day the night before
Whether it's laying out an outfit, packing a bag, or planning a workout, preparing the night before is an easy way to eliminate time in your morning routine.
10. Make it a regular thing
Consistency is key when it comes to having an optimal morning routine — this means doing it even on weekends or days off. Find what works best for you and stick to it, and you'll see an overall improvement in motivation, efficiency, and productivity.
11. Review your goals for the day
The last thing you can do to improve your routine is finish off the morning by reviewing your goals for the day. Whether it's physically writing them down or mentally mapping them out, you should visualize your ambitions and intentions before the day starts — it will help keep you productive throughout the rest of the day!
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