Early morning hours — to some, it’s a blessing; to others, a waking nightmare. But how you kickstart your morning can influence the rest of your day.
Today, most people rarely get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. And while enough sleep is essential for your body and health, these proven tips can help you start your day the right way.
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8 ways to kickstart your morning
1. Pre-plan for the morning
Chances are that you always have a very short morning preparation period. Plus, it is tough to remember everything you must do for the day when you wake up.
So it is advisable to plan for your morning the night before. This plan of attack solves your morning crisis, where you have to choose your outfit, prepare breakfast, put together your kids’ lunch, exercise, and so forth.
So making a “to-do list” makes your routine as smooth as possible.
2. Don’t snooze
It’s advisable to wake up naturally because the good old snooze button can leave you feeling worse. So, try to avoid hitting snooze after your alarm goes off.
Of course, avoiding the temptation to lie there for the next 20 minutes is difficult. But this forces you to rush through your morning routine, which may ruin the rest of your day.
Instead, take a few minutes and create positive thoughts about your life. Then, sit and try to connect your body and mind, or better yet, take the time to meditate.
3. Understand yourself
Knowing what you are good at in the early hours is essential. Some people find their creative juices flowing in the morning, and others find it easier to do mindless tasks like answering messages and emails.
So, if you are more creative in the morning, it’s better to solve your problems before the day fades.
4. Family time
Family and friends are also important in your work-life schedule. If you work late, you can set apart the morning hours for your family and friends. These connections build the mental and emotional energy to help you push through the day.
5. Eat breakfast
You may probably be hearing this for the umpteenth time, but breakfast is an important meal in your day. Breakfast lovers can go for a multi-nutrient diet consisting of lean protein, healthy fat, and fiber-rich carbohydrates. Alternatively, anything from yogurt and fruit to hard-boiled eggs and toast can go a long way to boost your day.
Also, always take a glass of water before your morning tea or coffee. Hydration is essential, and water hydrates you best.
6. Exercise
Avoid your gadgets in the morning because they may affect the rest of your day. For example, you may lose more than an hour in the morning going through your social media accounts.
Swap your screen time for an exercise routine that fits your body and schedule. Any exercise, from walking to weightlifting, is an excellent way to boost your entire day. It will also help you avoid distractions such as emails, morning news feeds, shows, or social media.
7. Positive thoughts
Affirmations are great ways to start your day. Yes, busy schedules and day-to-day lives may be stressful, but having a positive mindset in the morning is essential.
Tell yourself what you want to do for the day, and remind yourself about your long-term goals. You can do this by adopting positive thoughts in front of your mirror. Also, you can write down your previous day’s accomplishments to remind yourself that you are progressing.
8. Stick to your routine
Some people find “to-do list” tasks boring; others can’t function without them. But it’s essential to make a routine and stick to it — even when you are not fond of it.
Know your schedule, whether you start with exercise, meditation, shower, breakfast, kids, or more. It may seem monotonous at first, but once you do it every day, it becomes a habit that helps you clear your morning tasks fast and efficiently.
Carpe diem: Seize the day
There are several ways to kickstart your day. Everything from a good night’s sleep to exercising can help you seize the day.
