Whether you’re a morning person or you’re not, life can be overwhelming. You may find yourself constantly working harder to get ahead, trying to nail your productivity so you can spend more time doing the things you love. That’s what life’s all about, right? Yet, if you’re struggling in the productivity department, learning how to create a good morning routine could be the key to transforming your life.
In a fast-paced, everchanging world, your morning routine sets the vibe for the rest of your day. Win the morning and you can basically count on winning the day. Nail 365 mornings and you’re bound to have one helluva successful year, however that looks for you.
It takes 21 days to form a new habit, and the same rule applies for a new routine. So, we’re sharing tips on how to create a morning routine, so you’re set to score productivity goals in a months’ time.
But first, what are the benefits of having a morning routine?
When you take the time to establish a morning routine, you’re doing great things for your mental and physical health. A morning routine can help you to:
- Feel more in control
- Create and maintain healthy habits
- Improve interpersonal relationships
- Increase productivity
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep
- Better adapt to change
- Prioritise your time
- Reinforce you are capable
A solid morning routine is something you know you can do well, which can boost self-confidence and provide comfort during unstable times (aka the pandemic). In an unpredictable world, routine can also ease anxiety while forming a solid anchor point for the rest of your day.
How to create a good morning routine?
- Make sure it’s simple yet meaningful. If you aren’t enjoying the first few hours of your day or the tasks in your routine are unachievable, your routine won’t be sustainable in the long term.
- Maintain a fixed bedtime and waking time. This will set your circadian rhythm and dramatically improve the quality of your sleep.
- Plan and allocate enough time to comfortably complete your routine. This is totally personal. Some may find one hour to be enough while others find greater benefit in a three-hour morning routine.
- Don’t hit snooze. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night to function well. If you’re not reaching that target and hitting snooze as a result of tiredness, maybe it’s time to tweak your evening schedule and hit the sheets earlier.
- Avoid your mobile device. Don’t put yourself in a position where five minutes of checking the news can turn into an hour and blow your morning routine. It’s not worth it. Save the scrolling for the public transport ride to work.
- Hydrate. Instead of reaching for a caffeine-loaded tea or coffee in the AM, aim to drink a full glass of water upon rising. This will help your body to digest food, absorb nutrients and flush itself of waste products.
- Wash your face in the morning sun. Rising with the sun is hands down one of the best ways to start the day. Not only will sun exposure kickstart your circadian rhythm for the day ahead, it’s also thought to increase the brain’s release of serotonin – a total mood booster of a hormone that’ll help you feel calm and focused.
- Exercise. The benefits of exercise are endless. Sneak in an early morning workout and you’ll have one less thing to worry about at the end of the day.
- Eat a healthy, nourishing breakfast. You know what they say; breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Load it up with a healthy dose of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and vegetables, and you’ll be bursting with energy until lunch time arrives.
- Work in increments, starting with the hardest tasks. Avoid getting stuck in the zone by allowing yourself to take breaks throughout your working day. While you may think this will set you back in productivity, the opposite is likely to occur. You’ll return to work feeling refreshed and buzzing with energy to power through the next increment of work.