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Whether you are a morning person or not, there are many things that you can do to make mornings happier, easier, and more productive. Without a doubt, the morning can greatly impact how the rest of the day flows. Finding a productive morning routine that best aligns with your lifestyle can make you feel more accomplished and better prepared mentally and physically to take on the day. Here are 10 tips on how to have your most productive morning ever.
1. A Productive Morning Starts With The Night Before
A productive morning is greatly influenced by the night before. How we feel, our mindset and overall health can be greatly impacted by what happened (or did not happen) the evening before.
Plan Out Your Outfit Or Workout Clothes In The Evenings
Have you ever found yourself spending too much time in the morning figuring out what to wear or trying to find a random pair of socks? Waste time no longer by planning your outfit the evening before! Without a doubt, setting out your clothes the evening before can make your next morning go a lot smoother! Planning your outfits the night before will not only make you feel more organized but will also make for better, more well-thought-out outfits. When choosing your outfit for the next day, be sure to check the weather so that you can plan accordingly.
Get Enough Sleep
We live in a world where it seems like you need to keep working … and working…. and working. Unfortunately, and fortunately, our bodies were not designed to operate like robots. Our bodies need time to rejuvenate and recuperate physically and mentally each day. The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep every night to maintain good health and well-being. If your sleep schedule is erratic due to insomnia, school, or life’s difficulties, don’t be too hard on yourself to achieve the perfect sleeping schedule. As someone who suffers from insomnia, I’ve adopted a routine that helps me fall and stay asleep a lot easier. I recently started taking these Ashwagandha supplements to help me relax and fall asleep gracefully.
2. Wake Up At The Time You Are Supposed To
Sigh, I know what you are thinking. I love hitting snooze as much as you do. I’ve had many mornings where I have and have wanted to hit the snooze button on my alarm. However, in order to have a productive morning, it’s best for you to emerge from bed at the time originally anticipated. Sleeping in can delay your plans for the rest of the day, cause stress, and even result in tardiness. Just do it!
3. Make Up Your Bed
Making your bed is a simple task that can help you feel more productive in the mornings. Making your bed allows you to mentally transition from nighttime to daytime mode. In addition, making your bed can make you feel accomplished, lift your mood, and create a tidier and more organized environment. I love how making my bed sets the environment for how I would like to return to my room at the end of an exhausting day.
4. Take Time To Express Gratitude
Taking the time to express gratitude can give us a much more positive outlook on life, even when life isn’t going swimmingly. During the pandemic, I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal to keep me focused on my values, strengths, and the people and things I love. In this chaotic world we live in, it can be easy to think negatively or assume the worst about everyone and everything. Too much negative thinking can bring us down and make our day less productive. If you are looking for a way to become mentally stronger and feel more inner peace, try writing down three things you are thankful for each day. Don’t stress about finding something grand to write down, as these things can be very simple. It definitely gets easier the more you do it though! Here are some affordable gratitude books on Amazon to inspire you:
5. Read Or Listen To Things That Inspire You Or Bring You Peace
Another way to have a more productive morning is to read or listen to things that inspire you and bring you peace. By doing this, you can foster a healthy mindset to take on the day like a boss! Many of us take time in the mornings to scroll on social media. While social media allows us to connect with our friends/family or feel inspired, it can also bring out our biggest insecurities. If you find that social media isn’t inspiring you or is making you feel insecure about yourself, step away from social media and engage in something healthier for your mental health. Here are some ideas that you can try:
- Listen to a podcast or Tedtalk (check out Tedtalk on Youtube)
- Meditate (Check out meditation-related apps for iPhone or Android)
- If you are religious, take time to pray and read religious text.
- Sit still in a secluded place
- Take time to read a chapter in a self-help book
- Engage in career development
6. Get Moving
One of my favorite ways to have a productive morning is to get moving! When I first wake up, I tend to feel sluggish and to be honest, quite grumpy. Working out in the mornings has become a ritual of mine to ease anxiety, feel healthier, and get my heart rate up. Engaging in morning exercise will not only make you feel more accomplished but will also make you feel better mentally and physically. I recommend that you engage in a workout activity that you love doing the most. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Swimming
- Weight training
- Dancing
- Youtube work out videos
- Go for a walk or run (bring your dog along too 🙂
- HIIT – I love how it gets my heart pumping!
- Cycling
- Yoga/Pilates/Barre
If you are looking to build a better at-home gym, check out At Home Workout Essentials For a Healthier You
7. Eat A Nutritious Breakfast
Another way to have an energized, productive morning is to eat a nutritious breakfast. I find that when I fail to eat breakfast, I’m grumpier, less energetic, and less motivated. There is just something about breakfast that can help you kickstart your day in a positive way. Aim for eating a breakfast that isn’t too light or too heavy.
Here are some healthy, yet filling breakfast ideas I have been experimenting with lately:
- Protein smoothies (I have been particularly loving this protein powder from Amazon)
- Avocado toast
- Oatmeal
- Chia pudding
- Banana pancakes
8. Call Or Text A Friend Or Family Member
If you have the time, try calling or texting a good friend or family member. This is one of my favorite things to do when I’m feeling down, need a good laugh, or some encouragement. However, choose this friend or family member to contact wisely! Try to single out a family member or friend that you know will bring positivity and joy to your morning. Since many of us have not seen our friends and family as much this past year, this is also a good way to catch up and keep in contact.
9. Hygiene and Primp
To have your most productive morning ever, don’t forget to start fresh and do your basic hygiene! This includes: brushing your teeth, washing your face, showering, moisturizing, shaving, and etc. You don’t have to go full-on glam with a full face of makeup or fancy clothes, but you may find it beneficial to primp. Feel free to take time to add a little makeup, fix your hair, and put on actual clothing. I’ve noticed that when I make an effort to look presentable, I feel much more productive in the morning and throughout the rest of the day.
10. Make A To-Do List For the Day
Does it ever seem like you have a million things to accomplish during the day? One of the things I enjoy doing to have a productive morning and overall day is making a to-do list. Making a to-do list helps you to focus on your daily goals and things that you need to accomplish during the day. This will not only help you to feel more organized but will help you feel less overwhelmed about all the things that you need to accomplish during the day. Your to-do list does not have to be anything fancy but it should be something that you can easily look at and monitor throughout the day.
Check out these cute to-do lists on Amazon to better organize your day!
I hope that these tips on how to have your most productive morning ever help!
Love,
Miracle With Grace