How you start your morning can greatly influence the rest of your day, shaping your mood, energy levels, and overall productivity. By adopting a few mindful and effective habits, you can set yourself up for success and positivity. Here is a list of morning practices that can help transform your day and keep you on the right track.
Do Physical Exercise
Even if you don’t feel like it, push yourself to do some exercise. You can incorporate activities like jogging, yoga, or biking into your morning routine. Exercise improves mood, energy levels, and mental clarity, and even short workouts in the morning can be highly effective.
Practice Positive Affirmations
Use affirmations to combat any limiting beliefs you have and build your confidence. Affirmations can be a powerful tool for mental and emotional well-being and don’t take long to do. You can tailor your affirmations to your personal goals and values.
Ground Yourself
Believe it or not, grounding can reduce anxiety and stress. VeryWell Health says, “Grounding exercises include standing or walking barefoot or pressing your bare hands into the grass or dirt.” Techniques like these or hand-on-heart breathing can center you and bring a sense of calm and readiness for the day.
Clean Your Physical Space
A tidy space leads to a settled mind. With that said, simple acts like making your bed or washing dirty breakfast dishes before you leave for the day can have a significant impact. A clutter-free environment enhances focus and peace.
Engage in Spiritual Practices
Why not incorporate meditation, nature walks, or religious studies into your morning? Spirituality, in any form, can truly connect you to a deeper sense of self. These practices foster inspiration and inner peace, making them a great addition to your routine.
Soak Up Some Sun
Exposure to daylight regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, so if you’re lucky enough to have some morning sunlight where you live, embrace it. Sunlight exposure can increase alertness and reduce grogginess. Even a few minutes outside or near a window can be beneficial.
Rise Early
Early rising is linked to reduced procrastination. This practice offers quiet time for personal activities or planning. And according to Healthline, “Research suggests that people who wake up early tend to go to bed earlier and enjoy longer, better quality sleep.” Historical figures and successful individuals often endorse early rising.
Read a Book
Reading stimulates the mind and reduces stress—not to mention that it can be extremely enjoyable and an escape from the world. Choose material that inspires, entertains, or educates you. This habit primes your brain for the day’s challenges and is something to look forward to.
Journal
Journaling aids in stress reduction and emotional processing. Just the act of writing itself can help clarify your thoughts and goals. Many successful people include journaling in their morning routines. Why don’t you join them?
Brush Your Teeth
This may go without saying, but plenty of people rush out of the house without brushing their teeth. Not only does brushing fight off that nasty morning breath, but it also coats your enamel with a protective barrier. Morning brushing is vital for your overall dental health and well-being.
Move and Groove
“People who work out in the morning tend to maintain a more stable weight, have better focus, and experience a more positive mood throughout the day,” as per Marie Claire. Physical movement also energizes you! Activities can range from gym workouts to dancing at home.
Play a Brain Game
Engaging in puzzles or games like Wordle stimulates the brain. Mental exercises can also help to prevent cognitive decline, which is always a bonus. So, we suggest starting your day with a challenge to boost your strategic thinking!
Do a Good Deed
Try to recall how you feel after doing a good deed. Pretty great, right? Acts of kindness improve your mood and outlook. Simple gestures like wishing someone a happy birthday can have a big impact on you. Focusing on others’ happiness really enhances your own!
Hydrate Immediately
If you don’t already, you should begin drinking a full glass of water when you first wake up. This counteracts dehydration from sleep and caffeinated drinks from the day before. Hydration also boosts your physical and mental functioning, so you’re starting the day on the right foot.
Enjoy a Morning Beverage
After your glass of water, it’s time to savor a hot cup of coffee or tea while taking some time to relax. You can use this time for mindfulness or bonding with family or pets who won’t get to see much of you later. This small pleasure can increase the likelihood of a consistent morning routine.
Prepare a Nutritious Breakfast
As shared by BetterHealth, a healthy breakfast “improves your energy levels and ability to concentrate in the short term, and can help with better weight management, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the long term.” So, opt for a healthy meal like oatmeal or a smoothie.
Engage in Self Care
It’s a good idea to incorporate a grooming routine or relaxation activities into your morning—like having a warm bath, doing skincare, or even reading—to enhance your well-being. Personalized self-care rituals prevent burnout and promote a work-life balance.
Learn Something New
Exploring new skills or hobbies keeps your mind active, and incorporating learning into your morning can be rejuvenating. This practice fosters personal growth and curiosity, setting you up for a positive day. If you’ve got the time, try it out for yourself!