Morning habits are ingrained into our lives as routines after only a short period of repeating them. This might sound like an unloaded statement until you realise just how much your morning habits affect the rest of your day. From your energy levels to your mood, a morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day and either makes it or breaks it. At this point, you might be wondering ‘what can I do in the morning to make my day better’, or ‘what is the perfect morning routine’.
Although we all have personal preferences, the goal should be to stick to any morning habits that positively promote our health. We at SweepSouth have put together the best morning habits for success, to make your day a happy and healthy one. Follow along and find what suits you best so that you can start getting the most out of your days instead of wanting to remain under the warmth of your duvet.
Rest Well The Night Before
The irony of it all is that one of the most important parts of starting your day the right way is how you end the previous one. Getting a good night’s rest and enough sleep overnight will determine how you feel when waking up. Try to get between 7 and 8 hours of solid sleep. Your night-time routines will help you achieve this. Avoid strenuous exercise late at night, settle down to a good book instead of an overload of technology, and don’t eat any foods that will spike your blood sugar level too close to bedtime.
Maintain A Constant Waking Time
Before we speak about the time you wake up, a good point to note about getting a good night’s rest is also trying to go to bed at a set time every night. Maintaining a fixed sleeping and waking time will help your body create and follow a rhythm that will improve the quality of your sleep. There will be days (most likely the weekends or holidays) when those times change, but try not to divert too far away from your usual time.
Say Goodnight To The Snooze Button
When the sound of your alarm is ringing in your ear, you probably want nothing more than to hit the snooze button and try to get a few more minutes of rest. This is problematic for two main reasons – firstly, you may end up sleeping longer than you had anticipated, causing you to be late for that crucial morning meeting, and secondly, you might think that the extra time spent with your head on your pillow benefits you, but the truth is that it does the opposite. Your body won’t be able to enter the deep sleep it requires to benefit from it. As such, you’ll be left feeling sluggish throughout the rest of the day.
Don’t Scroll Through Your Phone
The first thing most of us do after waking up should actually be last on the list. If you scroll through your phone first thing in the morning, you’ll probably be wasting time that could be spent doing something more beneficial. Depending on what content you scroll through, you could also set up the wrong mood for the day. Imagine scrolling through negative news stories before being asked to arrive at the office with a positive attitude – the two don’t match up. If you’re going to use your phone, rather listen to uplifting music or an inspiring story on a podcast.
Take Pride In Making Your Bed
You’ll be surprised at the feeling of accomplishment that such a simple task can give you first thing in the morning. This healthy morning habit is on this list because it’s one of the most effective ways to start your day. It will declutter your bedroom and mind simultaneously while also instilling a sense of pride in your mind that can be carried throughout the day to accomplish everything else. Add it to the list of goals for the day and you’ll be surprised at how beneficial it can be.
Stretch, Exercise, Or Do Both
This is a surefire way to wake your mind and body up in the best way possible. Instead of exercising your thumbs by scrolling through social media, perform a stretching or exercising routine. If you have the time, then why not do both? If you aren’t much of a “working out” person, then stick to a simple stretching routine – something that will get your muscles ready to tackle the day instead of wanting to crawl back into bed.
Drink Some Water
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a coffee person who can’t get your day started without a good cup first thing in the morning. Trade in that cup for a glass of water as the first liquid you consume, to experience longer-lasting benefits. From a very young age we’re taught that hydration is key, but just how important is it? Well, think of it as a cleansing solution that helps our bodies get rid of waste, while also helping to absorb important nutrients, and properly digest the food we eat. If you’re exercising in the morning, then there’s no doubt you should be drinking during that time anyway.
Eat Something Healthy
This is a slightly controversial morning habit because there are so many different dietary routines nowadays. If you are someone who enjoys eating in the morning, prepare the healthiest meal possible. The first meal you put into your body will determine how you feel for the rest of the day. Make sure it covers as many of the macro and micronutrients available to you as possible. Do some research and find something that’s both healthy and appetising.
Engage In Something Insightful And Creative
Whether it’s reading a few pages of a book, expressing your feelings by journaling, or setting some time aside for prayer and meditation, activities like these will stimulate your mind and soul, and leave you motivated and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Use these healthy morning habits, together with any others that benefit you, to create a platform for a day you’ll enjoy every second of. Sure, there might be some challenges throughout the day, but a healthy morning routine can help you get over those speedbumps with less effort and stress. Start planning your routine today so that tomorrow is lived the right way.
