Your morning routine sets the groundwork for the rest of the day. So, while you can’t control every problem and dilemma that will come your way throughout the day, you can set yourself up to be in the right mindset to deal with them. Here are five proven habits that can help prepare you to brave the world before you even set foot outside your front door.
1. Wake up at the same time every day
Waking up at the same time every day is the perfect first step to creating a better day (and night) for yourself. By making it a daily habit, you will begin to stabilize your internal clock (also known as your circadian rhythm), which in turn will allow you to fall asleep faster and more easily at bedtime.
Additionally, try to make going to be at the same time a priority as well. This habit of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day will help to ensure that you’re getting enough restful sleep each night (the average adult needs between 6-8 hours) and make both falling asleep and waking in the morning an easier, less stressful task.
2. Rehydrate
After a night of restful sleep, it’s important to get your body back to its highest functioning state. Before coffee, and even before breakfast, you should begin to rehydrate yourself. Consuming an 8oz. glass of water will help to jumpstart your metabolism, aids in digestion and will boost your energy. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is lethargy (or a lack of energy) so if you find it difficult to wake yourself up in the morning, water may be just the thing you’ve been lacking.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast
Well-rested and rehydrated, now is the time to reenergize by eating a healthy breakfast. You can’t have a high functioning body without putting in the right high functioning fuel. Your body is your vehicle and it relies on you to make the right choices to provide you with the energy you need so, choose a healthy breakfast wisely. While there are many fad diets on the market, most health and fitness professionals agree that breakfast should be a low sugar, high fiber meal (devoid of highly processed foods) so that your body will be fuelled with slower burn calories up for the morning ahead.
4. Focus your priorities
Pick one major goal for the day ahead. Whether it’s something as tangible as finishing a report at work, or as abstract as being kinder to everyone you encounter, pick one task that you want to accomplish for the day. Focusing on one priority will help to give your day purpose as well as offering the psychologically beneficial feeling of having completed something at the end of the day.
It’s important to pick a goal that fits within the timeframe of the day and that you are in control of. You can’t, for example, control the behavior of others or foresee the future, but you can control your own behavior and how you relate to people you interact with. Also, remember that no task is too small. Some days you may feel like you can tackle the biggest issue in your life. Other days, folding the laundry may be all you can take on. There is value in every task and creating and maintaining the habit of goal-setting and focus will help to build self-esteem through feelings of accomplishment.
5. Practice gratitude & self-love
Every morning you wake up and repeat the act of trying to do your best. You will try to create healthy habits and stick to them but there will always be some things that are out of your control and some times when you are simply human (and thus flawed). Nobody is perfect, which is why it’s important to practice self-love and resilience through gratitude. Perhaps you didn’t accomplish the goal you set for yourself yesterday.
Focus not on the incompleteness of the task but instead look at how today you can focus on a smaller portion of it. Treat yourself with the kindness that you treat strangers. Examine your life and note all the things you’re thankful for. Create a gratitude list, whether in a journal or simply by meditating on the points in your mind. Use this gratitude to propel you forward. Pick a good morning mantra for the day, something that can help you remain positive and upbeat throughout the ups and downs. Use quotes to keep gratitude, self-love, forgiveness, and positivity in the forefront of your mind and heart (along with the other healthy habits) to ensure you have the best day possible.
