Morning Routine Need A Lift?

Try These 5 Changes To Improve Your Morning Routine and Your Day!

1. The Early Bird Catches The Worm!

We’ve all heard the saying that “The Early Bird Catches The Worm”. Research proves that those who have an early start to the day are more productive. Set an alarm to start your day early enough to have time for yourself before your work day begins. Make sure that you set your alarm for the same time every day. This helps your body “set” it’s own alarm clock. Soon your body will adjust to waking up at the same time every day, and you will begin waking before the alarm even goes off. When determining what time you should wake in the morning, take a look at your normal daily routines, schedule, and habits. If you have kids or pets, what time do they usually wake up and want your attention? If you work, what time do you start receiving emails, phone call, or texts? Keep all of this into consideration when choosing what time you should rise in the morning. Take time every morning for yourself and to make yourself successful. Your success begins with you.

2. Take a Moment to Breathe

How many times have you gotten up in the morning and you felt like you were in a race to beat the clock? Everything starts happening all at once. Your mind begins racing with things you need to accomplish that day. Your thoughts drift to of the accomplish the day before. Then everyone begins bombarding you with things at once. This is why taking the time to determine when you need to set your alarm is so important. It is unhealthy to “Hit the Ground Running”. Our bodies need to defuse before we begin daily activities, creativity, or work. Take five minutes to lay in your bed and just breathe. Clear your mind and allow your body to prepare for the day ahead. If you find yourself going into those earlier mentioned bad habits, teach yourself to take short long breaths and clear your mind. Think of a happy place or memory and take yourself there. This helps that happy serotonin to develop a flow.  Stressed bodies use more serotonin to regulate a stress level. Hense, this five-minute change in your daily morning routine is the start to a happier, healthier you!

3. Drink Water!

That sounds simple enough right! Drinking water first thing in the morning helps with so many different things in your body. This is a little-known secret to help your skin look better and give you that natural “glowing” effect. When you drink water first thing in the morning it increases the rate that new blood cells and muscles are produced, and also balances your lymph system. Lymph glands fight infections and help you perform productively. Drinking chilled water in the morning also helps boost your metabolism to help you lose those few pesky pounds. Drinking water in the morning is also proven to help cure illnesses.

The simple fact that you can have the “glowing” effect just from drinking water, should be incentive enough!

4. Take Time to Meditate or Pray

Whatever your religious preference is, research proves that taking the time to pray or spend time in quiet meditation for at least 15 minutes every morning, does many things for your mind and body. Taking this time, to spend in quiet contemplation helps your mind reset in preparation for the day. As a result, performance increases as well as your clarity, creativity, and degree of being alert. Additionally, mediation helps your brain activity work at its mental peak for nearly the entire day. Relaxing for this period, to be present with quiet contemplation is key to starting your day off on the right foot. It helps jump start your brain in the right direction. Try spending time every morning meditating, in prayer or studying your Bible before you start your day, you will consequently feel a difference. The days you do not, you may feel frazzled or have a harder time dealing with stresses. Finally, you are equipped and prepared for your day by first devoting time to meditation with God, or in prayer. Try finding 30 minutes to an hour every morning before you start your day. Most noteworthy is the fact that the majority of successful people believe they find themselves the most productive and influential during or after their time of quiet contemplation. It is proven that as you quiet your mind from distractions, you are further apt to open your mind to new and innovative ideas.

5. 20 Minutes to 1 hour of Exercise

Exercise in the morning is essential for your brain function and well-being. It affects the brain on a multitude of levels. Increasing your heart rate pumps more oxygen to your brain. Exercise stimulates anti-depressant like effects by stimulating cell growth in the hippocampus, which is an area of the brain that is responsible for your memory and learning abilities. In addition, you have a plethora of hormones that are released that aid in energy, performance, and mental health by boosting the growth of brain cells. Exercise comes in many forms. Have fun with it! Go for a walk and listen to some music. The point is to get moving, be active, and get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes. It is important to note that you take the time to stretch before and after your workout. Finally, exercise aids in relaxing muscles and preventing injury.

How do you start your day? Leave us a comment below.