Establishing a regular morning routine helps you stay more focused and productive during the day. It can be as simple as making your bed, or reminding yourself of one good thing that happened the previous day. These habits will help shift your perspective to a positive one and get you prepared for the day ahead.
1. Make Your Bed!
As soon as you get up in the morning, make sure to make your bed. It may seem tempting to leave it unmade and rush to get some breakfast but the simple task of tidying your bed is attributed to boosting mental health. American author and retired Navy admiral, William H. McRaven writes in his book, “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life,” that making your bed in the morning sets you up for success. A tidy bed is a start to a tidy life. The act may be small, but it helps kick off a chain of small successes to achieve throughout the day. 22. Drink a Tall Glass of Water
It’s very important to drink a tall glass of water right after you wake up as your body may be very dehydrated. We tend to lose water through the night by breathing and sweating which is why it’s so incredibly important to replenish our water intake as soon as possible. Expert opinion on how much water to drink varies but ranges from a minimum of 16 ounces to a liter. Water is very important in aiding your kidneys in flushing out toxins and also helps you achieve better skin. Including this simple task in your morning routine can make a big difference in your health and will help you stay more focused and alert throughout the day, improving productivity.
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3. Do a Simple Meditation
Setting aside just 10 to 15 minutes every morning to meditate and self-reflect can have surprising benefits for both mind and body. In this modern age, we are increasingly overburdened with information and thoughts which make it very difficult for us to achieve stillness and relaxation. Our minds jump from one random thought to another, almost like a monkey jumping from branch to branch. This is a well-known concept in Buddhism commonly referred to as “monkey mind.” People often complain that they feel overwhelmed in the mornings just thinking about all the tasks ahead of them. Meditating has proven to help with this by helping you kickstart your day more peacefully. By calming the mind, you can think more clearly during the day and decrease anxiety.Meditating has also been associated with boosted energy levels due to the release of endorphins. This natural energy boost can help productivity, without needing as much caffeine throughout the work day to sustain energy.
Simply hop into some comfortable clothes and drink a tall glass of water before finding somewhere quiet to relax. There are many techniques to help you meditate, but the simplest is to just close your eyes and breathe gently while trying not to think of anything. This is difficult to achieve at first, but that’s normal! Keep on trying for a few weeks until your mind learns to use this time to quiet down. You can try lighting a candle or your favorite incense to help you achieve this and send a signal to your brain to relax.
4. Try Dry Brushing
Practiced by the ancient cultures of the past, dry brushing has been associated with improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. The act of brushing or scrubbing your body helps exfoliate the skin, making it softer and giving it a youthful glow. It will also help get rid of dead skin thus helping you absorb moisturizers more effectively. Sweat and toxins will be able to leave your body more easily due to the unclogging of pores. Many people also report feeling energized after dry brushing. This is why it’s best carried out in the morning, before you hop into the shower.
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The whole process should only take 5 minutes. Choose a good body brush—a firm bristle brush—and start brushing upwards from the bottom of your legs towards your heart, until you have covered your whole body. It should not hurt; if it does, make sure to stop as you may have sensitive skin. Brush as often as you like, but preferably a couple times a week. Your skin should give you a good indicator of how well it’s doing.
Incorporate these four habits to your morning, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a more productive, fulfilling day.
