Everybody has one. Whether you know it or not, you start each morning with a routine. Sometimes it's the same every day. Some do whatever is convenient or what needs to be done. If the way you start your morning lays the pathway for how your day will go, wouldn't everyone want to get the most out of their mornings?
The truth is, how you start your morning does lay the foundation for the rest of your day. However, most people are completely unaware of this. This is where the saying "someone must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning" comes from. Even the slightest inconvenience can lead to a day of misery.
For most people, their day begins in their bed. While their bodies are in bed, their minds are in their phones scrolls through social media or the news. When you first wake up, your brain is in alpha mode. This means your brain is still waking up and is more sensitive stimulants. By scrolling through social media first thing in the morning, you are allowing it to control your day. Seeing all the terrible things happening around the world and how you aren't as happy as everyone in your feed is not the best way to start your day. This puts you in a negative mood which becomes difficult to climb out of.
Instead of starting each day with an activity that brings you down. Start your day with something that brings you up.
The perfect morning routine does not exist. Because we are all different, everyone has their own unique routine that works best for them. For example, some people may benefit from starting their routine at 4:30 in the morning while others benefit most if they were to start their day at 9:00.
Here are activities that we found to be most beneficial to include in your morning routine. Not all of these are meant for everyone and they don't all have to be used. They are just here to give examples and help guide you to make the best morning routine for your own needs.
Waking Up
We've all been there. It's time to get up and you hit the snooze button. Getting up right away is possibly the best thing you can do for yourself in the morning. Starting your day by putting off what needs to be done and being lazy will only lead to more of that throughout your day. By getting up immediately, your are taking control of your life and giving yourself power. You chose to get up even though you didn't want to. You took control of your life and started your day strong. That's your first win of the day. Your first accomplishment. Now you have the motivation to keep going and to complete everything you set your mind to.
Drinking Water
I know, sounds kinda basic. Maybe even a little cliché. But it works. Your body has been fasting all night and needs to hydrate. Drinking a glass of fresh water in the morning gives your body the moisture needed to wake up and work properly. Our bodies are 70% water and are less effective if that number decreases. Drinking a glass of water in the morning will help your body wake up and get it put on the right track.
Meditate
Meditation is like putting on your armor for the day. It gives your body time to wake up in a calm and efficient manner. Sit or lay somewhere comfortably (not so comfortable to where you fall asleep) and focus on your breath. Allow any and all thoughts to freely flow through you without attachment to them. This shows you what is on your mind and you can use this to steer your mind in the direction you want to go. End your meditation by thinking of all the things you are grateful for. This will help you stay calm and relaxed throughout the day. By remembering what you are grateful for you will go on with your day with a positive outlook. Because no matter what is happening in your life. There are always things to be grateful for. And by focusing on those things, you are allowing more of them to manifest into your life.
Yoga
You don't have to be a professional yogi who studied in a cave for a decade to do a little yoga. Your body is tense after being still all night while you were asleep. Stretching in the morning allows your body to loosen up and it will help wake up your mind in the process. Stretching in the morning will help your body be more flexible throughout the day, and it will help your body feel better in general.
Tea
While coffee is also an option, the large amount of caffeine causes jitters, dehydration, and is bad for your health with over use. I'm not saying don't drink coffee. All things in moderation. However, green tea will help give you energy without the negative side effects. Tea will give you energy that doesn't come back to bite you later when you crash. Plus, it is good for your health. Most teas contain antioxidants that help fight free radicals. So by drinking a cup of tea in the morning you are setting up both your day and your future for success.
These are just a few morning routine tips that will undoubtably change your life for the better.
It's important to note that when starting a new routine, it is important to make the adjustment at your own pace. If you start a new hour long routine, it will be difficult to stick with it. Find one or two things that you know you can stick with. It takes 21 days to form a new habit, so make that your goal. Once it becomes a habit, add the next thing on your list and keep at it until you're living your best life.
What you do when you first wake up echos throughout the day. That is why it is important to do things that will benefit you. A morning routine isn't something that should be dreaded or rushed through. It should be something you enjoy and look forward to. Sometimes life happens and your routine has to change. That's okay and it is important to be adaptable. Your routine may need to be adjusted do to certain circumstances. Just be sure your routine is tailored to your needs and sets you up for success. Because that is what makes your morning routine powerful.
If you found this article interesting, share it with your friends. If you'd like to be notified when blogs are posted, subscribe to our newsletter. Feel free to check out some of our other articles as we are adding more every week. And of course, thanks for reading. May your morning routine be powerful and help you become your greatest version.