Each morning is the start of a new page in our story. The first hours after we wake up is our opportunity to set the scene with a powerful intention to make it the best day possible.
Establishing a consistent morning routine that starts your day with intention and energy, can help you feel more organized and prepared to tackle the day ahead. Morning routines are an essential part of self-care and productivity.
Here are some ideas for morning routines that can help you jumpstart your day:-
Wake up early: Waking up early can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you feel more productive. It also gives you time to ease into your day without feeling rushed or stressed. If you struggle with waking up early, try gradually adjusting your sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up 15-30 minutes earlier each day until you reach your desired wake-up time. The best tip for waking up early is being in control of your bed time. Set a sleep time as well as an intention for when to wake up as you go down to sleep, and your wake up time should take care of itself.
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Weigh-in: What get's measured get's done. Whether you measure everyday or once a week, first thing in the morning will give you the most consistency for tracking your progress or maintenance. Take your waist measurement, step on the scales and make a record.
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Hydrate: Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning rehydrates your body after a night of sleep and gets your digestive system moving. You can also add lemon to your water to help flush your liver after the nightly detoxification cycle and boost your immune system.
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Mood boosters: Try out a different one each day so you have an abundance of options at your disposal, things you know will boost your mood and get you feeling calm, centered and pumped for your day. Look at a photo that makes you smile or laugh, connect with loved ones, spend some quality time with a pet, tend to plants in your garden, listen to a motivational song or podcast, walk barefoot in the grass or beside the ocean, do some breathing exercises, take 3 minutes to think of all the things you are grateful for, and another 3 minutes to visual your goals and dreams as if they have already been achieved.
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Exercise: Getting your body moving in the morning will get those endorphins flowing, helping you feel more energized and alive. You can try going for a run, doing a yoga routine, a bodyweight HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout or simply taking a walk outside. Mixing it up and having a planned workout for each day of the week makes it easier to follow and keeps it interesting.
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Plan your day: Take a few minutes to write down your goals. This will get you motivated and focused. For best effect remember to write them as if they have already been achieved and get a sense of what that feels like so you can carry this into your day. Next, plan out tasks for the day and review your schedule to get you feeling organized and in control.
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Meditate: Taking a few minutes to meditate in the morning can help you feel more grounded and focused. You can try using a guided meditation app or simply sit in silence and focus on your breath.
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Eat a healthy breakfast: Eating a nutritious breakfast can help you fuel your body for the day ahead. Try incorporating protein and healthy fats into your breakfast to help you feel full and focused.
Ultimately, the key to a successful morning routine is finding what works best for you. Any change requires a period of experimentation when you try some different activities and routines to sample the effects and discover the best way to fit everything in. Remember that there are going to be days when you need to adjust your routine and its not expected that you will stick to it perfectly every day. The most important thing is to prioritize your self-care and start your day with intention and purpose.