Getting up early and starting your day can set you on the path of having more productive and meaningful days. When you get up early not only do you have more time to make yourself a priority, but you also have time to accomplish things you normally would not have time for, and therefore you reduce the stress that rushing around in the morning can cause.
When you get up early you will want to make sure that you have a plan, so that you are not just getting up early, for the sake of getting up early. Try to fill your mornings with activities that motivate and inspire you, this will help for a more relaxed and put-together day.
Activities for an early routine
Looking for some ideas to get you started? Let’s take a look:
Meditation and breathing – Meditation and breathing help to get oxygen to your brain and help with lowering stress levels, while promoting overall well-being. You can meditate through guided meditations or just on something you cherish. If you are new to meditation, start small then work your way up to longer meditations.
Exercise – Getting active even if it is just for 15 minutes in the morning to wake up your body is beneficial. Getting your heart rate up and stretching out your body will help to improve your body in the long term while working to give you more energy, improve brain function, and overall mood improvements.
Goals and productivity – Make a to-do list and write out your goals for the day. Personally, when I start my day without looking over my daily task list, I often forget important things that I need to complete and feel less put together. Creating or looking over your to-do list is a great way to schedule your day while ensuring that you don’t miss any appointments or commitments. Also, set small bite-size goals for your day. And remember not to overdo it, ensure that you have enough time during your day to complete all of your tasks so that you aren’t overloaded.
Nutrition – Eating well and getting hydrated are also both important when starting your morning off. Overnight we get dehydrated from not drinking water for several hours. Drinking a glass of water can help to wake you up and get you started for the day. Also, eating a balanced meal will help make your morning run smoother so you can focus on your work, rather than hunger.
Don’t hit that snooze button – Hitting the snooze button puts your body back into a rest state which makes it harder to get up. If you hit the snooze button too much there is a good chance that you will wake up feeling more tired. Ensure that you go to bed the night before at a decent time, allowing for at least 8 hours of sleep.
Here are a few other convenience tips to get you going in the morning:
- Pre-set your coffee machine to make coffee for you in the morning.
- Make your lunch the night before.
- Decide what you will wear the next day the night before.
- Clean up your space before bed, it will be easier and more relaxing if you have a clean home to wake up to.
- Complete small tasks in the morning.
Getting going in the morning can be hectic when you have a family or if you have a long commute that requires you to leave for work very early. If you take care of small things the night before this could save you time in the morning, therefore causing less stress and helping to save you time on things that you might otherwise be doing (like waiting for the coffee to brew).
The same morning routine doesn’t work for everyone. So, make something that suits your life and schedule. Getting up early when you have a job that requires you to work during the day can set you off on the right foot and can get you to feel more organized and confident in your day-to-day life.
Bliss + You 