FIVE ACTIVITIES YOU COULD ADD TO YOUR MORNING ROUTINE TO IMPROVE YOUR DAY
Released On 23rd May 2024
The first few minutes after you wake up can set the tone for the whole day. If you feel tired or negative, you can easily carry that into everything you do later, and that expectation can make it difficult to stay motivated and productive.
Fortunately, if you start your day on a positive note, that attitude spills over into everything else and you might have a better day overall. That’s why a good morning routine can be so beneficial.
1. Wake up at the same time
Waking up at the same time each day could benefit you for several reasons. Consistency is important when developing new habits, and getting up early ensures that you have time to complete your new morning routine.
More importantly, waking up at the same time helps you regulate your circadian rhythm – your internal body clock. Being consistent about when you go to sleep and wake up cements your circadian rhythm and your body operates on a clear cycle. This means that you’ll feel well rested and ready to face the day when you wake up.
2. Do some simple stretches
Stretching is a brilliant way to get moving in the morning. Simple exercises will get the blood flowing to your muscles and help you wake up. Stretching may also reduce any tension and stiffness that could build up during the night.
A few basic movements such as toe touches, and neck or shoulder stretches each morning could also help you improve your overall flexibility if you remain consistent.
Additionally, stretching can have a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health as you release tension from the body.
You only need to follow a basic routine of a few stretches for five minutes and you should notice the benefits, provided you do them each morning.
3. Drink a glass of water
The common recommendation that you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day has since been shown to be inaccurate as everybody’s ideal intake is slightly different. However, it’s important that you stay well hydrated throughout the day.
Dehydration could cause problems with:
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Kidney function
- Body temperature
- Cognitive ability and concentration.
Even if you’re not dehydrated enough to face severe health problems, not drinking enough water can cause you to feel tired and make it hard to focus. If you feel this way as soon as you wake up, it could colour the rest of your day.
You’re also likely to be dehydrated early in the day as you sweat out a lot of moisture during the night. That’s why it’s beneficial to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning to ensure your body and brain are working at full capacity.
4. Write down goals for the day
Setting clear goals could give you more focus in life and you may be more productive as a result. According to Psychology Today, people who write down their goals are 33% more likely to achieve them than those who formulate outcomes in their heads.
You may be able to leverage the power of goal setting by writing down a few simple aims for the day each morning. Listing some tasks that you want to achieve gives you more focus for the day ahead and helps you stay productive. It can also be a useful way to assess your day and how successful it’s been.
However, it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve each day. If you write a long list of goals you can’t feasibly complete in a single day, it can leave you feeling disheartened when you fail to finish everything. As a result, the exercise has the opposite effect to what you intended and can harm your motivation.
5. Do some exercise
Regular exercise has numerous physical and mental health benefits, so you may want to fit it into your routine, if possible.
It could be especially effective in the morning for several reasons. Exercising releases endorphins, helping to put you in a positive mood for the rest of the day. It could also improve your focus and mental clarity.
Additionally, the Independent reports that a study of mice found that the metabolism-increasing effects of exercise are more pronounced earlier in their circadian cycle. This suggests that you could potentially see more weight-loss benefits from exercise and increase your overall metabolism by working out in the morning.
Finally, you may be more motivated to exercise in the morning when there are fewer distractions, so adding some physical activity to your routine could help you stay consistent.
You don’t necessarily need to do vigorous exercise to see these benefits either. Even a short walk in the morning could make a big improvement to your day.
By incorporating these simple habits into your morning routine, you could see a marked improvement in your mood and productivity throughout the day.
