Last Updated on November 21, 2022 by Hammad Hassan
Imagine the following scenario: You wake up to your annoying alarm and, after pressing the snooze button three, four, maybe five times, you rush to the shower without even knowing what day of the week it is. You then scramble to find clean clothes in your closet, dress, and run to the kitchen, only to realize you forgot to prepare your breakfast AND lunch for the day. It’s not nearly 8 a.m. and you’re already exhausted, stressed, hungry, and a little irritable. Oh, and your dog needs to go for a walk and is gazing at you somewhat bewildered… or perhaps in despair?
The scene shown above shows what happens when you don’t follow a morning routine. In addition to experiencing a stressful morning, this person is more likely to have a stressful day. No pressure, but how your morning goes can determine how successful your day is. If we had to choose one routine to start with, it would be your morning routine since we believe that healthy habits and routines form the basis of a healthy lifestyle. A morning routine is essentially a list of simple actions that you complete each day in the same sequence. The following are just a few of the many advantages of developing and adhering to a morning routine:
Positive attitude: Starting your day off well sets the tone for the rest of the day; consider the difference between waking up peacefully to pleasant noises as opposed to the blaring and obnoxious sounds of an alarm. One of those, we suppose, might result in a negative attitude.
Having less stress Let’s go back to the earlier example; a hurried morning leads to a stressed morning (and possibly the rest of the day), whereas a more tranquil and deliberate morning ritual prepares us to be calm and attentive.
Increases attention and productivity: When you follow a fixed schedule, you are more efficient and productive because you know what to anticipate next. It is more likely that you will remain focused and effective for the rest of the day if you had a productive morning.
Sense of stability and control: We feel as though we have established control at least in part of our lives when we stick to a schedule in the morning before any unpredictability and mayhem may start (as life occasionally throws such curveballs at us). This not only gives us comfort but also enables us to deal with life’s challenges in a more collected and logical manner.
Increases energy: A routine offers us direction and structure, and when we adhere to it in a task-like manner, we are doing the action rather than slouching through our morning wondering what’s coming up. This keeps our intellect sharp, our body active, and our attention narrowed. Your heart rate may increase if you add in an exercise, a cold shower, or morning gratitude or meditation practice.
encourages wholesome behaviors We are more likely to stick with good habits if we start the day off well. There’s something about the way your day starts that can truly make or break what happens after that. Action breeds action, and it will be much simpler to keep on track if the initial action is one that is structured, upbeat, and focused.
Enhances relationships: Having a routine increases the likelihood that you and those around you will start each day peacefully and calmly, which may make living with others much more pleasurable. Even while it won’t always be a great morning, it will be far easier to handle on such days, keeping you and your relationships in better shape.
promotes discipline When we lack motivation, discipline helps us continue a habit while also establishing a link to the underlying reason we are choosing to engage in good actions.
We will feel better and be in a better frame of mind to make more deliberate and meaningful judgments throughout the day if we adopt the discipline of a morning routine.
Several ways to get your day off to a good start
Okay, so you are aware of the health benefits of establishing a morning routine and are motivated to do so since you are sick of stumbling over yourself every morning. But how do you get started? The following are easy actions you can do right away to get your days off to a good start. Choose the ones that speak to you the most. To create the habit that feels best (and to make accommodations if necessary), start small and build on it:
Receive Your Sleep: We recognize that this technically belongs under the nighttime routine, but hear us out: when you get quality sleep, defined as at least 7-9 hours, you are more likely to get up the next day with the intention of following a morning routine.
Set the alarm for 15–30 minutes in advance: Make sure you select a cheerful alarm sound or song that inspires you to start the day. By getting up earlier, you may combine a morning ritual while feeling more at ease. Adjust your nights as necessary as you get adjusted to the earlier schedule to make sure you are getting enough sleep.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “make your bed” before, and for good cause. You may do it as soon as you get out of bed since it is so easy (or at least the second thing you do after getting out of bed). In addition to making your space seem prettier and maybe making you feel more put together, crossing it off your to-do list is satisfying. Additionally, you won’t feel the want to immediately return to bed for “just a few more minutes” since you won’t want to mess up your morning masterpiece.
A brief instant of awareness: Engaging in a mindfulness practice may help you feel better and stay peaceful, whether it’s through a gratitude practice, writing, breathwork, or just being present with your morning cup of coffee or bowl of oats.
Moving on: Even if you don’t have 30 or 60 minutes to devote to exercise, find ways to get your body moving in the time you do have. For example, go for a brisk walk, dance to your favorite music, do some yoga, or even squeeze in some stretching. By including exercise in your morning routine, you may awaken your body and brain, elevate your mood, regulate your blood sugar, aid in weight loss, and enhance your quality of life.
Break your fast wisely by choosing meals high in protein, fat, and fiber to keep you full and satisfied until lunch if eating in the morning feels good to you. Examples include avocado toast with an egg on top, chia seed pudding with nuts and berries, and Greek yogurt topped with hemp seeds and a variety of fresh or frozen fruit. Even better, you can blend nut or seed butter, protein powder, and frozen fruit into a smoothie. But you have to keep in mind: cleaning your teeth before breakfast is much better for your tooth and also is a good way to start the day, says a dental office in Litchfield.
We hope that these arguments have persuaded you that creating a morning routine is worthwhile. Choose an approach that works for you, make any necessary adjustments, and start living a healthy morning, day, and life!
