Whether you’re a morning person who embraces a new day or someone who needs to ease into their day, your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Most of our time in the morning is spent pressing the snooze button and staying in bed as long as possible.
By spending time in the mornings to invest in your well-being, you’re more likely to have a better, more productive day.
Here are some routines to introduce to your mornings to carry you through your workday.
1. Stretch
Have you ever woken up in the morning sore and stiff? As we sleep, we stay in the same position for 6-8 hours a night. And if you work an office job, you’re heading into a day full of sitting at a desk and rarely moving.
Adding some stretching into your morning routine loosens any tight muscles and can help alleviate soreness. We carry a lot of tension in our muscles, so if we start the day with some light stretching, we stop stress-induced body pain from interrupting the workday.
https://www.self.com/story/morning-habits-of-successful-people
Not only that, but stretching can prevent injury if you work in a more physically demanding job. When you’re always on the move, whether you’re in and out of an office or traveling most of the day, stretching gives you more agility. You can focus less on aches and pains and be more present in your work.
2. Exercise
When people think about working out in the morning, they tend to believe they have to wake up extra early and go for a five-mile jog. You can absolutely do those things if you want to. But being active and introducing movement into your morning doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking.
Even doing a short workout for 10 to 20 minutes is enough to get your blood flowing. You can download an app with planned workouts for you to follow, you can do some short yoga workouts, or even build your own circuits. By exercising in the morning, you start to release endorphins and get your energy up, which is good for your brain and body.
3. Drink Water
Most of us don’t drink enough water throughout our day. Doctors recommend drinking 8-ounce glasses of water eight times per day, and we tend to fall short. Instead, we reach for coffee, tea, soda, or juice to give us a boost.
Despite guzzling tons of caffeine, water is the better alternative to give us the energy we need. Before you reach out for your morning tea or coffee, get one glass of water out of the way to re-hydrate.
While we’re sleeping, we’re not drinking water. So, even if you don’t feel thirsty when you wake up, you need the water more than you think.
If you think water is boring, you’re not alone, so adding fruit or mint makes it more fun. You can also try sparkling water. It is still hydrating, but it gives you a little bite to keep you alert. The carbonation also mimics a soda.
4. Eat Healthily
Some argue that the key to a good morning routine is established in the evening. If you stay up too late or had caffeine at 4:00 pm, your sleep will be affected. The critical factor in managing your sleep schedule and ensuring you are rested is your diet.
If you eat a really rich dinner or have overindulged, it can be hard on your sleep. Similarly, if you have a midnight snack or eat too late, your body gets knocked out of a rhythm. If you need to eat later in the day, the lighter the food, the better.
Sticking to fruits and vegetables is easier on your stomach than chocolate cake. It will give you more energy when you wake up in the morning.
By snacking on fruits and vegetables both in the morning and throughout the day, you get all the vitamins you need to keep you alert and energized.
Final Thoughts on Morning Routines
Having an established morning routine with these elements will give you the mental sharpness and physical alertness you need to have a productive and energetic day.
Not only will you beat the afternoon slump with these restorative steps, but they will help you feel better and healthier overall.
Mobility, flexibility, exercise, hydration, and nutrition are the essential foundations to success in the workplace and life. If you take care of your body and mind, you’ll be more active in your life and have the energy to take on new things.
Image by: [KAROLINA GRABOWSKA]