Need a New Morning Routine. Here are the top 10 tips to rise and really shine. Each new morning is a fresh opportunity to seize control of the day and make it your own assuming you’re a morning person, that is.
Are you a night owl? To put it another way, you probably don’t sit up and stretch after a long night of restful sleep.
Instead, you could moan and snooze your alarm a few times. You mournfully walk from room to room, gulping coffee as you try to wake up, wondering how it could possibly be so late already when you eventually pull yourself out from beneath your warm comforter.
Even if you’re a night owl through and through, there are ways to make your mornings more productive and relaxing.
These ten ideas can help you get out of bed and tackle the day with greater zeal (or, at the very least, acceptance).
1. Set the timer for success
Updating your old-fashioned buzzer alarm to a more melodious tone may be all it takes to shake off that lingering morning grogginess, or sleep inertia.
So, why not spend a few minutes going over your phone’s alarm ringtone selections and choose your favourite happy tune? In the morning, you’ll thank yourself.
2. Allow the light to enter
Whether you know it or not, natural light plays an important role in your daily routine. Sunlight, in a sense, “resets” your internal clock. Early in the morning, facing the bright light of day can assist your body recognise that it’s time to get up, making you more aware before you’ve ever reached the coffeepot.
Of course, natural light in the morning doesn’t simply help you wake up; it may also make you feel sleepier later in the evening, making it easier to get to bed on time. And what better way to start your day than with the sensation of being well-rested?
If you have the opportunity to walk outside before starting your day, do so. Are your mornings already crammed? As soon as you get out of bed, open your curtains and windows and take a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the fresh air.
3. Face-washing
A refreshing wake-up call may be as simple as splashing cool or lukewarm water on your face to rejuvenate sleepy eyes.
If you have a multi-step skincare routine at night or have very dry or sensitive skin, giving your face a full wash in the morning may not be necessary.
Regardless matter which camp you belong to, try a delicate fingertip wash to gently awaken your senses, and if you’re worried about drying out your skin, skip the cleanser.
4. Eat a healthy breakfast
Starting your day with a well-balanced, protein-rich breakfast does more than just fill your tummy. It also gives you a boost of energy and fuel for the day ahead.
Breakfast isn’t required, but it may provide a gratifying boost to your morning, especially if you choose healthy grains, whole fruits and veggies, and proteins like eggs or plain yoghurt.
5. Make your body move
Stretching first thing in the morning can help relieve muscle tension and leave you feeling more limber and alert rather than tense and sluggish.
Morning exercise may not seem as natural as stretching first thing in the morning, but it has its own set of advantages. Physical activity can help you feel more energized by increasing blood flow throughout your brain and body.
Important brain processes such as decision-making, working memory, and attention may be improved by exercising first thing in the morning. A morning workout can also help you avoid the heat of the afternoon and early evening if you like outdoor exercise.
These suggestions will help you start moving in the morning if you’re able to exercise:
- Take a 15-minute stroll or jog around the neighbourhood.
- Take a walk or ride your bike to work, or get off one stop early on the rail or bus.
- Increase the distance of your dog’s daily stroll by a few blocks.
- Restart your yoga practice in the morning.
- Gardening has a lot of mental and physical health advantages.
- Stretching or a game of tag in the morning will get your youngsters moving.
6. Take care of a few errands
Sure, chores aren’t the most fun thing in the world. However, doing a few easy things first thing in the morning may make you feel productive, which can carry over into the rest of the day and jump-start your drive to tackle more significant obligations. Plus, later on in the day, you’ll thank yourself.
Try these suggestions:
- Make a clean bed.
- Take care of your breakfast dishes.
- Remove the dishes from the dishwasher.
- Toss in a load of clothes; if you’re going out, you can always start it later.
7. You can either meditate or journal, or you can do both
While there are advantages to meditation at any time of day, beginning a morning meditation practice may help you clear your mind, organize your thoughts and create a mindful aim for the day ahead.
Many people find that meditation is particularly beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety. Meditation may increase self-compassion and self-kindness, which might help if you regularly find that your morning anxieties and frustrations create a bad tone for the rest of the day.
Meditation does not work for everyone, so there’s no need to force it if you don’t find it beneficial.
8. Make a list of all the things you need to get done
You have a lot on your plate every day, and a couple of them always manage to escape your notice.
Making a list of important activities first thing in the morning, such as returning overdue library books, rewriting your project plan, and picking up supper items, will help you stay on top of everything you need to accomplish at home or at work.
It also helps you prioritize your tasks and provides you a better notion of which items should be moved to tomorrow’s to-do list, making your job more manageable and minimizing feelings of overload.
A built-in bonus comes with to-do lists. You don’t have to remember tasks if you write them down (on paper or electronically).
9. Participate in an activity that you enjoy
You don’t have to confine yourself to preparation and productivity in the morning. Setting aside some time for things you genuinely like will help you look forward to your mornings rather than hate them.
Even if you don’t like it at first, techniques like meditation, yoga, and writing can become delightful over time. Even so, devoting a chunk of your morning to a pastime, something you do only for pleasure, is worthwhile.
- play a computer game
- visit your favourite YouTube channel to keep up on what’s new.
- a book to read or listen to
- turn on your favourite music
- work on a craft or a piece of art
10. Make contact with family and friends
You have the best of intentions when it comes to staying in touch with friends and family. However, at the end of the day, you’re usually so exhausted that you can’t stomach the notion of having a conversation, even with your closest friends and family. All you want to do is relax by yourself, to the sound of quiet (or soothing music).
Does this ring a bell? There’s no need to feel bad about it. After all, everyone requires alone time, and not receiving enough of it can lead to frustration and burnout.
However, friendships and family ties are also vital. Why not attempt a morning phone call, video chat, or visit if you’re having trouble finding time for your loved ones at the end of the day?
