The internet is filled with ideas for a productive morning routine, as well as loads of interviews about how successful people start off their days. But the truth is that what works for someone else might not be the perfect morning routine for you. Why you ask? Well, that’s because each individual operates uniquely. We all have different biological rhythms, likes and dislikes and different actions that inspire productivity. Some of us like to sprint off to a 5-mile run while others opt for gentle yoga stretches. Heck, some of us even think that people who exercise first thing in the morning are crazy!
But that doesn’t mean that having morning routine is useless. The secret behind a productive day is to lay out certain rules that are not treated as a fixed menu, rather a buffet from which you can pick and choose your own perfect morning routine. There are thousands of morning routine ideas available online. Select the ones which suit your fancy and come up with a customized morning according to your personality. Today we are going to share some of the best ideas that you can incorporate in your quick morning routine:
1- Have a power-packed breakfast
Breakfast acts like fuel for your body and mind. There are uncountable benefits of having a healthy breakfast and if you haven’t started incorporating in your morning routine, start doing it asap. Ditch the sugary cereal for oatmeal or a protein-packed option like eggs. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables are also great to keep you going till lunch.
Having a nutritious breakfast saves you from the mid-day crash, and you’ll notice that your energy levels remain high all day long. All in all, having breakfast should be the first thing on your morning routine, irrespective of the fact whether it is a workday morning or a weekend.
2- Sweat it out
If you are not an exercise freak, don’t worry, we’re not asking you to do a full-fledged grueling workout session. A short burst of any cardio activity first thing in the morning can help the blood circulation and rev up your body’s engine. Ideas for quick bursts of cardio are playing hula hoops with the kids, jumping on the trampoline or a brisk walk with the dog.
It doesn’t have to be a formal exercise session. All it takes is 15 minutes of any activity that increases your heart rate, and you will find your physical and mental health at its peak throughout the day.
3- Practice conscious breathing
Now that you’ve gotten your heart to pump up a bit, its time to cool things down. Conscious breathing is a form of meditation that is inspired by yoga. According to many renowned psychologists, conscious-breathing can help with many cognitive disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others. In fact, it acts as an instant stress buster and can help within minutes.
Envision your tasks for the day and think about how you’re going to make it through without unnecessary stress. Relax and restore yourself early in the morning so you can tackle through the whole day without crashing.
4- Be grateful
This point is related to the one above. Be grateful for the blessings you have in life and close your eyes while your breath through your stomach, conscious of each time you inhale and exhale.
Think about all the good things in life such as your family, health, job, religion, etc. and write it down on your notepad. Making a small gesture like this will make you feel as if you have lifted a huge weight off your shoulders. What’s more, it has been proven scientifically that being grateful for 21 straight days will rewire your brain to be in a permanent positive state.
5- Review your schedule for the day
We can’t stress the importance of drafting your schedule the day before. This way you simply have to read it once before jumping into the daily grind. What’s more, you can wake up with a clear mind because you know that you have already written down all the important tasks the day before. This technique will also help you stay in control of the day, so there are no last-minute surprise chores in between the day.
6- Plan your outfit
Ideally, you should lay out your clothes for the day the night before. It saves a lot of time and unnecessary drama in the morning. Add some funky pieces like trendy leather jackets or coordinating accessories, to spruce up your boring work wear wardrobe. A little bit of excitement hurts no one, and you will feel much more confident when your outfit is on point.
7- Show appreciation to a loved one
Small gestures such as a message telling someone why you love or cherish them that means a lot. According to the author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, there are 5 different ways of appreciation that people like to receive- acts of service, physical affection, gifts, one-on-one quality time, compliments. Each one of us has a preference. So, don’t forget to show appreciation to a loved one as emotional well-being is as important as physical well-being (if not more).
8- Connect
Now that you have taken care of your physical and emotional health, its time to move back into the world and connect with others. Connections are vital for being happy and successful in the world. In fact, research supports that being social can help you live longer! Humans are social creatures so there is no way we can be happy in isolation. Keep in mind, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.”
Conclusion:
Now that you know the secret to create good and productive mornings, it’s time to create a tailor-made morning routine for yourself and stick to it. Read more about what other people’s morning routines consist of and adopt the habits that suit you. There is something very powerful about starting your day with clarity and structure so if you haven’t started following a morning routine yet, it’s time to make one soon!
ABOUT Alycia Gordan
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia
