Establishing a morning routine is an essential part of a successful life. If you are used to jumping out of bed with five minutes to go until the next train or bus, downing a cup of coffee, and throwing on some clothes, you are likely starting your day with extra stress you don’t need. Instead, waking up earlier and creating the perfect morning routine can give you extra time to focus on your goals, begin to feel energised and refreshed, and conquer whatever the day throws at you. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips that can help.
Establishing a morning routine
You should never underestimate the value of an alarm clock. Most people nowadays rely on their smartphones to wake them up, but there are many negative effects of keeping your phone near you while you sleep. If you keep it on your bedside, you’ll be tempted to scroll through your newsfeeds until the early hours, and the light emitted from your phone will trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. Also, leaving your phone charging overnight, especially under your pillow, is a real fire hazard. So, consider leaving your phone downstairs as you head to bed and instead invest in a decent alarm clock.
Always Eat Breakfast
A lot of people make the mistake of skipping breakfast, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day. As well as being an important source of nutrients – as long as you eat the right foods – breakfast helps to kick start the metabolism. After having slept for the recommended 7-9 hours, your glucose levels will be low, and a healthy breakfast will help replenish this store and give you the energy you need to stay alert. Establishing a morning routine with breakfast even if you only have a few minutes spare, that’s enough to eat a piece of fruit or a small yoghurt with a glass of water.
Try to Fit in Some Exercise
Exercise is the perfect way to get your blood pumping in the mornings, so if you can, try to add a short brisk walk into your routine. This may mean taking a long way round to the bus stop, parking further away from your place of work, or you could ditch the car or bus altogether and cycle instead. If you set your alarm 20 minutes early and avoid the temptation to press the snooze button, you’ll easily find that this becomes the most enjoyable part of your day.
Prepare for Tomorrow Before Bed
If you know that you’ll be rushing around in the mornings, no matter what, try to get into the habit of laying out your outfit for the next day – ironing it if necessary – and preparing your breakfast the night before. You can set up the coffee machine if it has a timer, layout your bowl and breakfast choice, and put your bag and shoes by the front door. Also, try to get all the dishes cleaned before you go to bed – there’s nothing worse than trying to prepare your breakfast only to find that there are no clean dishes or cutlery left. You’re more likely to want to grab an unhealthy snack from the shop on your commute, which is never a wise choice. There are many other things you can do each morning to help you stay motivated throughout the day, including taking a moment to meditate, writing down your goals, and practicing breathing exercises. All of them will help set you up for a day of success. Which will you try to establish a morning routine?
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