Most of us wake up in the morning and immediately look at our phones, check emails or texts, interact with kids, spouses, or roommates. We feel rushed, stressed, and approach the day reactively. However, taking the time to start your day right will help you complete your day proactively, productively, and with purpose.
It is possible to gain some sanity and balance by adding just a few intentional practices to your day. Check out my top 10 tips for a better morning routine below, practice them all or just add one or two to level up your day.
1. Set an Alarm Across the Room
As annoying as this is, it can sometimes be the act of just forcing yourself out of bed is all you need to feel charged for the day! Get up, turn your alarm off, and go do something – get a glass of water, go to the bathroom. It will make it all the easier once you’re up to stay up, rather than just hit ignore on your alarm 5 million times.
2. Unplug for 60 Minutes
Rather than starting your day scrolling through the news, social media, emails, texts, take some time away from your phone. Instead, take some time to unplug. Focus on yourself and re-center on your goals for the day. This will help you be more productive and proactive during your day and make space to accomplish what’s important to you.
3. Journal
Journaling is an awesome way to get in contact with your own thoughts. An easy journaling practice, which is a great form of self-care and can take as little as 2 minutes to accomplish, is to simply write down the top 3 things you’re thankful for. Gratitude journaling is a great way to center yourself on what’s important and move through the rest of your day with joy.
4. Meditate or Pray
If you want to refocus your energy positively, depending on your preference, both meditation or prayer are great ways to do so. Many people think that meditation is clearing your mind of all thoughts, but there are many ways to practice meditation. Meditation can be about getting clear on what you want, finding peace, and more. Both meditation and prayer are practices that get your brain firing, connecting with higher thoughts, hopes, and dreams, as well as considering those around you.
5. Exercise
You guys know me, I couldn’t write this article and not include exercise. Get up and get moving! Working out in the AM will free up your evening. Plus accomplishing something big in the morning will make you feel motivated for the rest of your day!
If you don’t have time for a full workout, just 10 minutes of exercise can make a difference and start accruing benefits. Check out this quick 10 Minute Morning Tune Up to help start your day off right!
6. Set Aside 30 Minutes for Yourself
Do you have a big goal or passion project you’d like to spend time on? The early morning is a great time to find space and a quiet place to work on something big! Plus focusing on a project you’d like to achieve will give you excitement, passion, and warmth that will carry you throughout your day with purpose.
7. Consume a Balanced Breakfast
Beginning your day with a meal that will power your body and brain will help you have the best day possible. Aim for a meal with low GI carbs and protein.
Low GI carbs provide a slow-releasing energy that lasts longer, with fiber that keeps you feeling full. Try whole grains like oats, buckwheat, or rye, as well as fruits and vegetables. Protein releases a hormone that keeps you feeling full and will fuel your cells. Some great sources of protein for breakfast include eggs, nuts, seeds, yogurt, nut butter, etc.
8. Take a Cold Shower
Okay, for most of us taking our whole shower in the cold sounds absolutely miserable, but there’s something about a cold shower that does really awaken the senses. Try taking your shower as usual but shifting the water to cold for the last 30-60 seconds. Take slow deep breaths and splash your face with a little cool water. You might hate it or you might love it – it’s worth a shot. I personally enjoy it, especially on these hot summer days.
9. Hydrate
Start the day with a few cups of water. It’s important to be intentional about hydrating throughout the day. You should be drinking at least 8 cups of water a day for proper hydration. Plus, with exercise or on especially hot days, you’ll need even more. Starting your day with water will leave your body and skin feeling rejuvenated and remind you to keep drinking water all day long.
10. Listen to Inspiring Music or Podcasts While Getting Ready
You have to get ready for your day either way – might as well enjoy and make use of that time by listening to some music or inspiring podcasts. As for podcasts, everyone has their own taste but there’s something out there to make any and everyone think outside of the box.
