Morning habits are essential to setting up a healthy lifestyle. I find it easier to manage daily tasks, be more productive, and feel happier when I create a daily routine that sets the tone for the rest of the day. The mornings also seem like a quiet time for me to think, and establishing a daily routine becomes one of the most effective habits I set for myself.
I also find my morning habits to be one of the most crucial times for me to be intentional about my day. They allow me to get ahead of any worries, thoughts, or potential to-do’s that may otherwise distract me during the day. By setting a schedule that I can comfortably fit into my everyday activities, I have been able to wake up on time daily and have a complete, fulfilling morning routine.
The science also supports this idea: having a regular routine can help with increased productivity, better mood, and an improved sense of balance. I also find it best to create a few habits I can add to my schedule in a practical way. Instead of making overblown or unnecessarily complex habits, my morning routine has a few simple tasks that I can consistently do and still enjoy my morning.
The science is also behind this: small and meaningful morning habits that are simple and easy to stick to daily will always be effective in giving you your best start to the day. In short, I see a good morning routine as the perfect foundation to make positive and intentional changes in my life.
Habit 1: Get up early
It is no secret that getting up early can give you an extra advantage in life. If you can set aside time in the morning and spend a few minutes doing your own thing, you can end up going through your whole day without feeling much disturbance.
It gives me peace of mind, and this should also be the first thing that inspires you to develop a morning habit.
If it’s hard for you to get up early in the morning, don’t force it because that won’t work. It is better to start small and gradually build up to the time you want to get up every morning. For example, if you want to wake up at 5 a.m. and you are used to waking up at 7 a.m. in the morning, just start by waking up at 6:45 a.m. and keep reducing the minutes you want to get up until you reach your target.
Related: 12 Tips to Wake Up Earlier Without Feeling Tired
Habit 2: Drink water first thing in the morning
One of the best things that can happen to your body every morning is drinking a glass of water to help your body refresh your system while you sleep. You will be amazed at how refreshed your body feels after a long night’s sleep.
This also helps hydrate your body and prepare your system for the new day.
The easiest way to do this is to ensure you keep a glass or a bottle of water close to your bed so you don’t have to force yourself to walk down and fetch the bottle of water.
You can also improve the taste of the water by squeezing a lemon, a cucumber, or a few mint leaves into the water. You can also warm the water and squeeze some lemons before you start drinking your water first thing in the morning. In fact, it is also scientifically proven that this helps with digestion.
Related: 8 Ways to Take Charge of Your Life
Habit 3: Morning stretching or exercise
Moving around or simply stretching in the morning is also one of my favorite morning rituals.
This is because it energizes my system, and I feel ready to take on the day while increasing the blood flow to my brain, keeping me feeling fresh and energized throughout the day.
This does not have to be an elaborate activity in the morning. Simple activities like neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, or rolling your legs in the morning can help you do this simple activity.
Related: 5 Things to Do When Depression Hits Hard
Habit 4: Mindfulness or meditation
Spending some time in meditation in the morning also gives you the opportunity to take a break. You will be amazed at how you can feel the difference in a situation after just a few minutes of meditation in the morning.
All you have to do is focus on your breathing by taking deep breaths and focusing on every breath you take in or out. You can also watch guided meditations on YouTube if you find it difficult to do it yourself.
Body scan is also another form of meditation you can do in the morning.
Incorporating a gratitude practice into your morning routine is another way of meditating in the morning. You can do this by making a list of things you are grateful for in the morning before you begin the day.
The benefits are also noticed in the clarity of thought you experience throughout the day and your ability to keep calm even in stressful situations. For more of such habits that can help you start your day off strong, see this related article: 10 Ways to Change Your Life for the Better, According to Science.
Related: 8 Ways to Feel Happier and Enjoy Life
Habit 5: Healthy breakfast choices
The truth is, when you wake up in the morning, your system is usually already depleted of nutrients since it’s been a long time since your last meal. The best way to provide your system with a good meal is to start your day with a healthy breakfast.
When I make my breakfast healthy in the morning, I can usually go for a long time without getting hungry.
Healthy breakfast choices can include eating oats in the morning, with a fruit smoothie. You can also prepare a protein smoothie that is packed with fruits. Eggs are also another one of my favorite sources of protein I take in the morning.
Preparing the breakfast the night before can also make it easier for you if you have little time to prepare your breakfast in the morning. You can prepare overnight oats or some snacks for the next morning.
Habit 6: Setting daily intentions
Setting an intention every day also has many benefits that could help you with your personal growth. It allows you to become more focused on your goal and how to go about achieving it during the day.
The first thing you need to do is identify your goal for the day. It could be any activity like having a project meeting or completing a project by the end of the day. Your intention can also be a type of attitude or mood you want to maintain throughout the day.
Setting your intentions in a journal can be a good way to keep track of your progress toward achieving your goal for the day. For best results, ensure you use positive affirmations for your intentions.
It would also be best if you remembered to revisit your intentions by the end of the day, to see if you had been able to live up to your expectation for the day. You can see how you did and improve on them for the following day.
Habit 7: Limit screen time
Limiting the time spent on the screen in the morning can also make a significant change in the progress you make during the day.
When you check your phone first thing in the morning, it can lead to depression and anxiety, making it difficult for you to concentrate on the task at hand.
Setting a no-screen limit in the morning is one of the best ways to start your day. Setting your phone aside until you complete some activities in the morning will also help you.
When you have done this, you will be amazed at how calm you feel in the morning and how easily you can maintain your focus on the task before you during the day.
Related: How to Stay Motivated at Work: 14 Motivation Tips
Habit 8: Inspiration or learning
Spending your morning time reading books or listening to podcasts can also be a good idea as it will help to build up motivation and keep your spirits high during the day.
You can start by reading a few pages of a book every morning. This can be fiction or non-fiction, depending on what you want to focus on.
You can also listen to a podcast in the morning as you prepare to start your day. You can also make use of that downtime in the morning for listening to your podcast.
Journaling in the morning also helps me as I write my thoughts and also helps to improve decision-making during the day.
Conclusion
You have now seen some of the best ways to start your day. As mentioned earlier, your morning routine is just the start, and it should, therefore, be able to offer you a better chance at a better you.
In conclusion, your morning routine should be a set of activities you can consistently and conveniently add to your morning schedule.
Make sure you try as much as possible to stick to your plan as you start the new day. You will be amazed at how far you can go in a day when you take out time every morning to take care of yourself.
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