What does your morning look like? Do you hit the snooze button, down your coffee a few minutes later as you check the emails on your phone, grab your shoes, and walk out the door? Or maybe you lay in bed scrolling social media longer than you should before getting up, grabbing your coffee to go, and rushing out the door?
If that sounds familiar, we’d be willing to bet that you typically struggle to focus throughout the day, and no matter how much you keep promising yourself that tomorrow will be better, nothing really changes. You probably feel like you are always rushing and never really able to catch up or be as productive as you would like. With all the responsibilities awaiting you each day, it’s easy to feel constrained by these daily habits, but we have good news. Setting up a morning routine may be just the thing you need to help you be at the top of your game every day.
Benefits of a Morning Routine
The way you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. No matter how challenging yesterday was or how many things are on your to-do list for today, taking some time each morning to focus solely on yourself can be beneficial in many areas of your life, such as:
- Your emotional wellbeing. When you feel that you’re always rushing, drowning in a sea of unending tasks, or trying to get everything done at the same time, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out. No one wants to feel that way all the time. Thankfully, there are things you can do to break the cycle, starting with a morning routine. Having a consistent routine that you partake in every morning can contribute to you having more positive feelings about your day and helps give you more resilience to take on whatever the day has in store for you.
- Your productivity. A morning routine helps you start your day off on the right foot. It helps you feel like you have more control over your own schedule and leaves your mind in a better position to focus on the tasks at hand. It’s not just about checking tasks off your to-do list, but also the level of detail that you put in them. After all, you’ll be more proud of yourself if you end the day after completing 5 well-done tasks instead of 10 mediocre ones.
- Your relationships. A stressful day will impact how you relate with others–from your colleagues at work to family or friends at home. If you feel rushed or stressed throughout the day, you may find yourself being short with your colleagues or emotionally distancing yourself from your loved ones. Establishing a morning routine can help you feel more confident throughout your day and leave you with a brighter perspective, which in turn will help you foster better relationships with those around you.
Creating a Morning Routine that Works for You
The internet is full of articles and videos about the “perfect” morning routine, but the truth is that everyone is different. The morning routine that works for one person may not work for you. That’s why it’s important to take the time to customize your morning routine in a way that will help you start the day feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to focus.
But where do you even start? Let us help you out with a few of our favorite tips.
Choose Your Times
The first step to creating your routine is going to be choosing what times you will go to bed and wake up each day.
There is no "perfect time" for either of these things since everyone is different. You don’t have to skip prime-time news or wake up at the crack of dawn. What’s more important is being consistent and planning for a sufficient amount of sleep based on your lifestyle. Generally, this will be between 7 and 9 hours a night for most adults, but only you know what amount of sleep you need to feel and function your best.
Additionally, make sure you are giving yourself enough time in the morning for your routine. This will vary depending on what you decide to include in your routine, but generally, you’ll want between 30 and 90 minutes to get things done. That way, you can enjoy your morning without rushing to get out the door.
Plan Ahead
If you find yourself struggling to make decisions in the morning, planning ahead will be key to helping you create and stick to a morning routine. What will you have for breakfast? What will you wear to work? What will the kids need for school? Think about all these things the night before, and do what you can to prepare for them before you go to bed. Doing things like choosing the breakfast menu or setting out clothes the night prior will give you a little extra time to wake up before having to make any decisions.
Stop Habits that aren’t Serving You
Morning routines aren’t just about adding things to your itinerary, they are also about cutting out activities that are no longer serving you. Things like hitting the snooze button or scrolling your favorite social media site only keep you in bed longer and consume time that could be used more efficiently.
So, what should you do instead? Try moving your body or drinking a tall glass of water-both of which will help actively wake up your body and mind and prepare you for the day ahead.
Quiet Time
Taking a few minutes each morning completely to yourself can help you reset and become fully present in the morning. You can do whatever you wish with this time, so long as it is quiet and helps you feel calm and focused. Activities like meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, or taking a short walk can do wonders to help you start the day with the right mindset. For many of us, the ideal time for these activities is before pouring your first cup of tea or coffee. If it’s something you are going to do indoors, pick a room that’s free from noise and distractions, and set up a comfortable, inviting area that you will look forward to spending time in each day.
Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast
We’ve all heard the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” and it’s true. A hearty, healthy breakfast will provide your body with the fuel it needs to get through the beginning of the day. As we previously mentioned, plan your breakfast the night before so you don’t have to take inventory of your pantry and decide what to make first thing in the morning. Breakfast needs vary from one person to the next, with factors like age, health status, and jobs greatly affecting what foods will be best for you. Whether you choose fruits and dairy products, whole grains and green smoothies, or concentrated superfood supplements that are packed with nutrients, a good breakfast will include different things for different people. The key is choosing breakfast items that are healthy and will provide your body with plenty of important nutrients to help you get through the day.
Make This Your Most Productive Year Yet
You’ve set goals for yourself for this year, and you’re determined to reach them. One of the best things you can do to set yourself up for success is find ways to make the most of your day. Taking control of your mornings with a routine tailored to your particular needs can help you gain the energy and motivation you need to complete the tasks on your to-do list and bring you closer to reaching your goals.
Here at New Earth, we believe everyone deserves to be living their best life, and a sustainable morning routine is one of the best ways to help you do just that. That’s why we consider it part of living the #NewEarthLife. We hope you’ll join us in building a morning routine that will help you kickstart your day.