A morning routine is simply an action or set of actions that are executed regularly after waking up. When building a morning routine for our own lives that works for us, it can be overwhelming to hear experts and influencers talk about waking up eye-scorchingly early, plunging into ice baths and working out for hours in order to be successful.
While I fully believe that a good morning routine is essential to success, I prefer keeping my morning routine simple so I can sustain it without getting overwhelmed.
Wake Up Early (But not ridiculously early)
The greatest minds of our time all share a common trait. They wake up early to gain extra hours to plan their day, complete their tasks and focus on their passions, hobbies or family.
However, waking up at 4:00 am after sleeping at 1:00 am just because someone on YouTube said it is essential to success could be detrimental to your health and well-being. It's important to establish a reasonable wake-up time that works for your schedule and your body.
Rehydrate
According to this article from Medical News Today, while the amount of water in the body changes slightly with age, sex, and hydration levels, on average, 60% of the human body is made up of water.
Water is essential for health and is necessary for numerous bodily functions such as temperature regulation, cellular function and waste removal. It is crucial to replenish your body after a long night’s sleep.
"The morning is the most important part of the day. It sets the tone and tempo for the entire day." - Tony Robbins
Practising Mindfulness, Prayer or Meditation
For many of us, we spend our waking hours dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. These thoughts, if left to spiral unchecked, take us on an emotional rollercoaster of stress, fear, anxiety and more.
Carve out a moment in your mornings to pray, meditate or reflect on your goals and intentions for the day. This helps you clear your mind and focus on the present moment while reducing stress, anxiety and negative thinking.
Practice Gratitude As Part Of Your Morning Routine
Have you taken a moment today to think about what you are grateful for? It is so easy to get caught up in the daily hustle of constantly striving for more, that we tend to forget to be thankful for what we already have.
Choosing to practice gratitude helps us shift our focus to the positive aspects of our lives, and foster empathy, compassion and kindness. It is a practice that can uplift our spirits, and nourish our souls.
Exercise
Incorporating exercise or movement into your morning routine can have a powerful impact on your productivity and focus throughout the day. Exercise releases endorphins, and increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This improves mood and energy levels and enhances cognitive function, memory, and concentration.
Consider making exercise a part of your morning routine if you want to power through your day with more energy, mental clarity, and productivity. For me, mindful walks are my key to productivity.
Spend time with people you love or with your hobbies/passions
Many of us may not be able to afford this luxury in the mornings when everything is in a rush. However, carving out time for the people you love and for the things you enjoy can significantly contribute to your overall sense of happiness and fulfilment.
Even if it's just 5-10 minutes, make it a priority to engage in activities that bring you joy or spend time with loved ones. It could be anything from reading a book, playing an instrument, or enjoying your morning coffee/breakfast while chatting with a family member or friend.
Conclusion
Establishing a morning routine is a powerful tool for cultivating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. By prioritizing activities such as hydration, mindfulness, exercise, and spending time on the things or people we love, we can enhance our mental and physical well-being, and we can create a ripple effect of positive change in our lives, one morning at a time.
Comments