Productive, happy days... it's all in the power of your morning routine habits. The morning sunshine that filters into my bedroom through the curtains, is one of the things that instantly put me in a good mood.
Coincidentally, leaving my curtains slightly opened & allowed that lighter to enter the room as the sun rises, is one of the ways I trick myself into getting out of bed early.
It's all about creating a morning routine that fits your lifestyle, needs & one that will help make your days happy & productive, regardless of the weather outside your bedroom window.
Always Make Your Bed
Making my bed in the morning just looks & feels better. It gives you that small sense of accomplishment. And all it takes is a few minutes. When you get home from work after a long day, the sight of a neatly made bed alone can help you feel relaxed & calm. Now, imagine the opposite, a messy bed & bedroom. It just doesn't seem to fun or relaxing. There are a few very small things that you do every morning which will help set the tone for the rest of the day & making your bed is definitely one of them.
Do Not Reach For Your Phone
Most of us are constantly connected to our phone, laptops & other devices. Why not cherish those first few moments of the day before exposing yourself to the constant information overload you're guaranteed to get from turning to your devices.
Reaching for your phone first thing in the morning immediately draws your attention to the things you've missed while you were sleeping. Whether it's news, emails, text messages. All those new notifications can easily cause unwanted stress & then suddenly, you find yourself thinking about, solving problems or catching up on things before you get a chance to even brush your teeth, let alone get out of bed. The truth is, most of that stuff, if not all of it, can easily wait until your day has officially started.
Have A Good Stretch
Ideally, you would have a nice, decent workout every day, early in the morning. In reality, though, most of us have way too much going on to make that a priority. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Stretching is just as important as your normal day to day workout. The good news is that all you need is a 5-10 minute stretch or little yoga session to energise yourself & get ready for the day. A good, morning stretch will kick-start your energy & a great way to let your body know that it's time to get going.
Make Mediation A Part Of Your Morning Routine
The busier your days are, the more I believe we can all benefit from a regular mediation practice. Mediation can help clear out your busy mind, filter out external noise & help counteract stress. It's a practice you can do before you even get out of bed.
As it becomes a daily habit, it will help you become more balanced, energised & at peace. Having the clarity will allow you to stay focused & intentional about the tasks & goals you'll want to complete. It's a great tool to use if you want to set yourself up for a productive day.
Treat Yourself
I always try to make sure to have something small & exciting to look forward to, every single morning. Something that will make my getting up extra early really worth it.
It can be journaling, reading a chapter of a good book. Taking a morning walk with my dog or just sipping on my morning coffee. Those are tiny self care habits that I don't get to do every single day if my schedule is fully packed. This is why I like to take advantage of my mornings. I mean, who says that you can't start off your day with a hot bath? You don't have to wait until the end of the day or the week to treat yourself a little. If you have something important or stressful planned for the day, get up early. Start your day by doing something small & special for yourself.
Don't Rush
Nothing makes your mornings more stressful than being in a rush or running late. When you're in a rush you're more likely to get frustrated & find little things annoying. Your mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. If you're whinning & complaining the minute you wake up, everything & everyone will irritate you. Slow down. Plan ahead. Get up 30 minutes early & see how big of a difference it can make. If you feel like there aren't enough hours left in your day for you to practice some self-care, try getting up early & spend some time preparing for your day.
If you're not much of a morning person, this won't be easy at first. It doesn't mean that it's impossible though. This comes from a former night owl, who still at times struggle with sleep at times.
Maximise Your Commute
Take advantage of your commute & learn something new. Listen to an audiobook or a podcast. Usually I like to listen to anything self-growth based. A couple of my favourite Podcasts are Don't Blame Me by Meghan Reink & Listen Louder by Megan Gilbride. Point is, you can do something productive, even when you're stuck in the morning traffic.
Of course, all of our routines & morning habits are different. Chances are my day probably doesn't look the same as yours. Some people get to get up at 8AM, while other are well on their way to work at the time. Then, there are some of us who work night shifts & spend their mornings trying to catch up on sleep. You don't have to have the exact same routine as others, to embrace a few better morning habits.
It's all about finding & creating a routine that works for you. None of these habits are extremely involved or difficult. Yet, they can all help make your days happy & productive, regardless of when your morning actually starts.
B x
No comments:
Post a Comment