Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. If you start it by hitting snooze repeatedly, you’ll probably have to rush to get to work (even if that means walking into the next room to your home office). Then, you’ll like you’re playing catch-up all day. By having a morning routine in place, though, you can set yourself up for a successful day. Keep reading to learn seven things I do every morning.
1. Wake up around the same time each day
This one’s pretty easy during the workweek if you work a consistent schedule. It might also be easy if you have young kids who wake you up on the weekends. If you don’t have kids, it’s tempting to sleep in late on Saturday and Sunday. But, waking up even an hour or two later than usual can mess up your internal clock.
2. Drink a glass of water
Lots of studies show that drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning jumpstarts your internal systems. And it makes sense because you just went seven to nine hours without drinking anything, so you’re probably a little dehydrated from sleeping.
I have a tough time drinking enough water, and I’ve noticed that when I start my day with a glass of it, I’m much more likely to drink more throughout the day.
Read also: 30 Things We Want to Do in Our 30s
3. Open your curtains
Sunlight is essential for letting our bodies know whether we should be awake or asleep. Opening your drapes or raising your blinds will let in some natural light, which can help you feel more alert and awake. It can also make it easier for you to fall asleep at night.
4. Make your bed
It turns out our moms were on to something when they told us to make our bed before school each morning. Making your bed is a simple action that gives you a sense of accomplishment right off the bat. That can help you feel proud of yourself throughout the day, no matter what else comes up.
5. Get active
I’m not saying you have to do a full workout routine (because you might only have a few minutes). But, get your blood pumping somehow – you might go for a short walk or jog, stretch some, or do an energizing yoga sequence.
6. Practice gratitude & positivity
We might face a lot of negativity throughout the day. By starting your day by thinking about the things you’re grateful for or that make you happy, you’ll be able to combat some of that negativity. Plus, you’ll probably smile when you’re thinking about all the things you’re looking forward to that day. And, smiling releases dopamine and endorphins, which makes you happier.
7. Jot down your to-do list
Before you’re ready to conquer your day, write down the top three to five things you want to accomplish. We’re constantly being bombarded with new things that need to get done. But, you’ll be able to focus on your top priorities and can ensure that the essentials are crossed off your list before moving on to something else.
Read also: 29 Productive Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
