It happens too often: You wake up, roll over and hit the snooze button, not ready to start the day. You’re already feeling scattered.
By contrast, starting your day with a healthy morning routine can help you feel more productive, positive and in control.
The suggestions below will help you build your personal morning routine. Start slow and choose just a few to begin with. If you need to wake up a bit earlier, try to manage it.
Choose four to five activities or create your own routine.
Give yourself one to two hours. Don’t make it too long or you will burn out. Now give yourself 30 days to build the habit. If you skip a day, forget or don’t have time, add that day onto the end of your 30 days.
1. Kiss your significant other. If you have a partner, kiss them good morning. Human connection sets you up for a great day.
2. Drink water. First thing, drink a 16-oz. glass of water. Many people set a glass on the bedside table the night before, making it a no-brainer.
3. Make your bed. Yes, it sounds simple, but it is a small way to feel good.
4. Leave your phone alone. It’s easy to lose yourself in the rabbit hole of email, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. They can wait.
5. Stimulate your body. This can mean walk the dog, hit the gym, do yoga, stretch or run, whatever you works for you.
6. Journal. Keep a personal diary or a gratitude, art or bullet journal. Set 10 to 20 minutes and stick to it.
7. Read. Find a good book and read each morning (10 to 20 minutes).
8. Write or review your to-do list. Prepare for the day. Anticipating what lies ahead makes you better equipped to cope with change.
9. Wake up at a consistent time. Waking up at the same time sets your internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which makes for better quality sleep and a more productive day.
10. Meditate. Apps like Aura and Calm have many programs.