A solid morning routine, one that you can perform regularly, orders your mind so that you can get more out of your day. We’ve put together a short list of tasks to do right after waking that will make you feel happier, healthier, and motivated all day long. Now, don’t worry — we’re not asking you wake up super early. You can do all of this in about 30 minutes! This routine should be enjoyable enough that you look forward to this daily investment in yourself. By the end of your morning routine, you will feel awake, in both mind and body, and be primed to smash your daily goals. Here are six things that you can do first thing tomorrow morning in order to reap the most from your day!
1. Drink a Glass of Water
We are all familiar with many of the benefits of hydration, but did you know that we lose about a pound of water overnight? Rehydrate with a big glass of water to improve your mood, concentration, and much more. It can also decrease your early morning fatigue.
2. Make Your Bed
Navy Seal and retired Admiral William H. McCraven highly recommends this simple action. In a graduation speech he gave at the U.S. Naval Academy, McCraven spoke on the merits of bed-making, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.” He goes on to say that it establishes the importance of little things. That, if you can do the little things right, then you can do the big ones right as well. Plus, if nothing else positive happens that day, at least you can come home to a made bed, which gives you encouragement to try again the following day.
3. Wake Up Your Body
Physical activity gives your body a wake-up call. Any short exercise you do right after waking resets your circadian rhythm. You’ll go from groggy to feeling good in only a few minutes without caffeine! As part of your morning routine, you’ll want to choose something that you enjoy doing. The focus shouldn’t be on feeling the burn or making gains, but instead on energizing yourself and working out the sleep kinks. A few minutes of a Zumba video, a short jog up and down the block, or a quick jump rope session to an upbeat song are perfect ways to accomplish this! Just be sure that you stop way before you feel fatigued. Your goal is to move just enough that you feel totally awake.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Pray or meditate for 10 minutes. Practicing mindfulness in this way reduces depression, stress, and anxiety. You’ll also find that you have a better mood and greater ability to focus. Whether you pray or meditate, you’ll have more awareness of your thoughts. This allows us to see ourselves more honestly so that we can identify areas in which we need to improve. It is also a perfect time to take note of what you are thankful for. People who spend time being grateful are always happier.
5. Read Something for Personal Development
Everyone has a passion that they’d love to pursue or a skill that they want to grow. Set aside 10 minutes each morning to read from an educational or motivational book. In doing so, you will consistently advance toward your personal development goals! What do you love and want to learn more about? Professional skills, parenting, or a particular hobby? By prioritizing this activity into your morning routine, you are committing to yourself and your personal growth.
6. Do Something that Makes Your Day a Win
Now that you have taken the time to prepare yourself in mind, body, and spirit for the day ahead, you are ready to launch. Do the one thing that will make that day a success. Whatever it is, make sure that it is a great big push toward your goal. Having a big checkmark at the top of your to-do list early on will give you the momentum to keep going. It also ensures that you haven’t spent the entire day simply being reactive, which especially for moms, is all too easy to do! Choose this one thing the night prior so that you can have it on your mind as soon as you awake.
The only way that a morning routine can help you is if you actually do it — consistently. It would be far better to do only three or four of these items than none at all. The best way to stay on top of your morning prep game is to make sure that you have fun with it! Change up the routine by substituting in a different activity that powers you. We know that sleep is precious, and truly believe that it’s worth hitting the hay a little earlier in order to make this investment in ourselves!
Photo Credits: Unsplash | Marisa McDonald Photography
