There’s a reason why so many successful people have their own morning routines. For instance, Steve Jobs would ask himself each day “If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m doing today?” If he answered no too many days in a row, he would know that a change was in order. Other successful people like Oprah turn to meditation in the mornings.
No matter what your preferences are, establishing a morning routine can really help kick-start your day and inspire productivity that lasts throughout the day. While it may seem a bit daunting to wake up earlier than you normally do and add more tasks into your day, there’s no set way you need to approach your morning routine. You can personalize it however you need to so that your morning routine becomes a natural extension of your day and your interests.
If you needed more convincing, there’s also research that backs up the health benefits of creating a morning routine. For starters, a morning routine can lessen stress as you begin your day in a peaceful manner rather than panicking when the alarm clock goes off late. Morning routines can also improve the quality and amount of sleep, because those with a morning routine tend to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. Research also shows that those with a morning routine tend to make more money than those without a consistent morning routine.
We rounded up just a few tips for you to consider as you begin to put together your own morning routine.
1. Make Your Bed
This may seem silly, but making your bed when you wake up is a great way to start things up on a productive note. Making your bed, even though it’s a small task on your to-do list, will serve as a little “win” earlier on in your day, inspiring you to continue to cross things off your agenda for the day.
2. Drink More Water
While it’s tempting to reach for your typical cup of joe when you wake up, opting for water first is a much smarter move. After hours of sleep, your body wakes a bit dehydrated. Try to drink at least 8 ounces of water when you first wake up (and of course more throughout the day), which will help aid in digestion and clear out toxins from your body after a night of sleep.
3. Try a Cold Shower
The zing of cold water on your skin in the morning helps to jumpstart your body and your brain, signaling it’s time to fully wake up for the day. Cold water can be a bit shocking, urging the body to take deeper breaths, which can also help improve concentration.
4. Let the Sunlight In
Open your blinds and curtains to let the sunshine in as soon as you wake up. This will also help signal to your brain that it’s time to wake up for the day. Plus, vitamin D offers its own variety of health benefits including a nice dose of serotonin, which can help start your day on a positive note.
5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Breakfast has long been called the most important meal of the day, but regardless of your viewpoint on the matter, eating a healthy, protein-packed breakfast in the morning will help fuel your body for the day to come and inspire more healthy choices throughout the day. You might choose to make yourself an omelette, avocado toast, or a sweet potato and egg scramble.
More Tips For Creating a Productive Morning Routine
For even more ideas on how to make mornings a bit easier, Auraglow created this helpful infographic offering additional tips and tricks for creating a productive morning routine.
