Spring Into a New Morning Routine

Some people have the natural ability to jump out of bed feeling energized and ready to take on the day. Others need a warm shower and a cup of coffee to get going. However, whether you’re a morning person or not, a solid routine can create good mornings that grow into great days. Implement these tips in your morning routine to prepare for whatever your day has to offer.

Prepare the night before

If you take care of a few tasks the night before, you can eliminate some of the busyness of your morning. Lay out your clothes and items you need for work so you don’t have to search for them in the morning. You can prep your breakfast and lunch beforehand, and you can even check your schedule or create a list of things you want to accomplish the next day to serve as motivation. You can save a lot of time by not waiting until the morning to get organized.

Wake up earlier

This is easier said than done, right? But waking up earlier doesn’t mean you have to set your alarm for 4:00 a.m. to have a productive morning. Waking up just fifteen minutes earlier can help you feel less rushed. Start the process slowly, and you may find yourself adapting to the change easier than you’d think.

Change your alarm settings

Being jolted awake by a loud buzzing sound can be an irritating start to your day. That’s why it might be time to replace your noisy alarm with a more pleasant wake-up call. Many alarms allow you to wake up to peaceful music, or you can switch to a sunrise alarm clock, which mimics the steadily increasing light of the rising sun. If you wear a smartwatch to track your sleep, you may be able to set it to wake you up with a gentle vibration.

Don’t hit snooze

Staying in bed for a few more minutes of rest could impact your entire morning routine, and, as tempting as it may be, hitting snooze for ten more minutes of sleep isn’t beneficial. Studies have found that you will be unable to get quality sleep in such a short period. A great way to avoid dozing off for a few minutes is to place your alarm clock or phone across the room. This forces you to get up to turn off the alarm, which lowers the temptation to hit snooze. Also, be sure to make your bed when you get up. Doing so not only keeps your room looking tidy but also reduces the lure of curling up for a few extra minutes of rest.

Drink a glass of water

While you may enjoy a morning cup of coffee, tea, or orange juice, make it a habit to drink water before eating or drinking anything else. Drinking a glass of water when you wake up rehydrates your body and can help jump-start your metabolism.

Avoid screen time until breakfast

Checking your phone first thing in the morning for the latest emails, texts, and social media notifications can cause you to lose focus. While it is a hard habit to break, avoid looking at your phone until you sit down to eat breakfast. Take the initial moments of your day to do something to benefit yourself, such as meditating or stretching.

Make time for exercise

Getting up early to squeeze in a workout is a healthy way to start your day. However, exercising can also improve your job performance. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that morning exercise may improve attention, visual learning, and decision-making. Best of all, getting active in the morning allows you to get your workout done before life gets in the way.

Sit down for breakfast

You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, to unlock the full potential of breakfast, it takes more than grabbing a granola bar and coffee before rushing for the door. Take time to sit down and enjoy your breakfast; this allows you to eat more slowly, which aids in digestion and can help you avoid overeating. Choose foods that provide a good serving of protein, such as eggs, Greek yogurt, or turkey sausage. Studies have found that eating a high-protein breakfast may help manage blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, and help you feel fuller for longer.

Check something off your to-do list

Before you start work, try to accomplish something that will benefit you the rest of the day. You can tackle a chore like loading the dishwasher or taking out the trash. It might not feel like a huge accomplishment, but it will be one less thing to worry about at the end of your day.

Keep the same routine on weekends

One of the perks of the weekend is that you might be able to get an extra hour or two of sleep. However, staying in bed past your regular wake-up time can disrupt your morning rhythm, and, once there is a disruption, it can throw your weekday routine out of whack. Try to wake up at the same time on the weekends, and enjoy breakfast with loved ones or take a walk outside.

Remember, the way you wake up sets the tone for your day. Build a routine that makes sense for you and will help you achieve your goals.