The key to a good day is a good morning routine. It takes time to create the best routine, but it is essential for success and happiness. Having a morning routine gives your day structure and it will improve your productivity. You will be able to focus better during the day. Routines give people a sense of control. I have assembled a list of 17 habits for the best morning routine. You might not have the time to do all of these in the morning, so just look at these and try to create your own routine with them, and I promise, it will make your day much better!
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
– John C. Maxwell
1. Wake up early
If you wake up early, you have more time before you have to go to work, which means more time for a proper morning routine. It is best for your body if you sleep 7-8 hours every night, so if you want to wake up at, let’s say 5:00 am, you should go to bed around 9:00 pm. Most billionaires wake up at 4 am every morning, they claim it is the most productive time of the day.
2. 10-minute tidy
A 10- or 5-minute tidy includes decluttering and putting things back where they belong. You shouldn’t make your bed until a few hours after you wake up. The reason for this is bed mites, you can’t see them, but they probably live in your bed. They can cause skin irritations and acne. To get rid of them you should let your bedding “breathe” for a few hours before you make your bed.
3. Drink water
It is very important to drink a glass of water right after you wake up, it rehydrates your body and makes you active. Drinking water on an empty stomach can even help you lose weight. If you want to lose belly fat, it is recommended to drink warm water with lemon in the morning.
4. Meditate
Morning meditation is one of the most important things on this list, you should definitely include it in your morning routine. You can meditate for as long as you like. It has a long list of benefits. You are, for example, more focused during your day if you meditate in the morning. Meditating also prevents stress and anxiety and boosts your happiness.
“Meditation is like a gym in which you develop powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.”
– Ajahn Brahm
5. Exercise
Exercising in the morning will give you an energy boost that lasts for the rest of the day. When exercising in the morning, you should take the time to do a more extensive warm-up. If you do a workout in the morning, your fat will burn more easily.
6. Practice yoga
The morning is the best time of the day to practice yoga. You should do this on an empty stomach. Practising yoga will make you feel immediately much calmer, which decreases the stress factor during the day.
7. Cold shower
A cold shower may not immediately appeal to you, but it is really good for your blood circulation. Showering with cold water is also a technique to lose weight, it helps you recover after a workout as well.
8. Skin care routine
The kind of routine you need varies from skin type to skin type. To find the one that suits you best you have to know your own skin type, once you know that you can start your routine. Cleansing and moisturising are two things you definitely need to include in your skin care routine.
9. Get ready for your day
This part of the morning routine includes, for example:
- Brushing your teeth
- Styling your hair
- Doing your make-up
- Packing your bag
10. Have breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast improves your ability to concentrate and your energy levels. It also boosts your brain for the rest of the day, so never skip breakfast! In this meal, you should include whole grains, lean protein, such as eggs and nuts, and you should include fruits or vegetables.
11. Read
Experts say it is best to read in the morning, considering it can reduce stress and expand your mind best at that time of the day. If you don’t have a lot of time left in the morning, you don’t have to read for very long. Studies have shown that people should read at least 6 minutes a day to get those benefits.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss
12. Go outside
You should at least spend 20 minutes a day outside. You could, for example, go for a walk, a run or you could ride a bike.
13. Make a to-do list
Making a to-do list or writing down your goals for the day gives structure to your day, you know what to do and will live up to those goals which makes it easier to achieve them. When you cross items off your list you will get a sense of accomplishment. A list of goals will also motivate you.
14. Write or journal
Writing improves many skills such as focusing, forethought, planning and of course cognitive skills. It is not the most important thing on the list of habits, but if you have the time I recommend you to do it.
15. Listen to music
Listening to music will awaken your brain in the morning. You can do this, for example, while you exercise, so it doesn’t take any extra time.
16. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a practice that uses scents of essential oils to improve your well-being and health. Some people say it can cure illnesses, but there is no evidence for that. It can reduce stress and elevate your mood.
17. Avoid screentime
Instead of staring at a screen, try to live in the here and now and do the other things on this list. It is a well-known fact that too much time on a screen is bad for you.
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.”
– Daniel Handler
