There’s nothing more peaceful than early mornings, as you wake up to a blank slate and start a new fresh day; and you can decide how you want to face the day. This is why it is crucial to have a morning routine; not only will this ground you, but it also sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Waking up early is often recommended, to have a morning routine that is not rushed. Moreover, several successful people are early risers, and there is a simple yet very effective habit that they incorporate into their mornings every day, which is making their bed. In fact, In the book “the power of habit” author Charles Duhigg calls it a “keystone habit.”
Exercising is crucial for one’s health; however, for some reason, it somehow seems to no longer take a priority as the day progresses because we get preoccupied with other tasks. Therefore, scheduling it first thing in the morning is the best for optimal success. Whether it be for 10 minutes, 60 minutes, or just going on a walk, moving your body will speed up your metabolism and stimulates the production of endorphins which will lead to a nice mood. If there is no gym within your vicinity, don’t be discouraged as there are a plethora of workouts online which you can do from home.
Meditation can be a challenge, but practice does make perfect, and if you are diligent, you will get there. It is about quieting the mind while just focusing on your breath and simply being present. You let go of what happened before and what is yet to come. Harvard research studies have shown that people who meditate first thing in the morning have an increase in mental clarity and a decrease in stress and anxiety.
Writing out a to-do list is also a great habit to incorporate. Try to be very specific by sticking to your non-negotiables; in other words, things you absolutely must get done starting from your priority to the least important. This certainly gets you more organised, so you know what needs immediate attention and what projects to tackle first. When was the last time you sat down to have breakfast properly without rushing out the door? The ramifications of rushed meals cause cortisol production (a stress hormone); which leads to weight gain as cortisol suppresses the digestion process. Therefore it is crucial to practice mindful eating.
Adopting a morning routine might not come naturally at first, so instead of implementing a lot of habits in one day, which can be overwhelming, start gradually. Perhaps the first step is by getting up a little earlier than you usually would then add in more habits as you get more adapted.