We have all had those mornings that got off on the wrong foot and the entire day seemed to follow. Maybe you overslept, left the house without eating breakfast, or just woke up feeling drained. For whatever reason, our morning seems to set the tone for our day. To get your day off in the right direction, we’ve assembled a few tips for a happy healthy morning routine. By turning the following tips into daily habits your mental, emotional, and physical state will be running on all gears. So set that alarm clock (don’t forget to set it on the other side of the bed so you can’t hit snooze), it’s time to become a morning person.
Keep in mind, the following steps combined will take about 1- 1 ½ hours, so adjust your sleep schedule accordingly to make sure you’re getting in a full 8 hours and are waking up with enough time to prepare for your day.
Source: Wall Street Journal
After those teeth have been brushed and a somewhat decent top-knot has been achieved, it’s time to roll out that yoga mat and get your “om” on. There’s no need for rules, routines or even a DVD (though if it helps, go for it!), just move your body in whatever way feels right. A nice stretch is a great way to warm up the body and relieve yourself of any aches or pains that may have come from uncomfortable sleeping positions.
Source: Vanity Fair
Before anything else has hit your stomach, drink down a nice hot cup of lemon water. The hot water will get your digestive system moving, while the lemon will help detoxify the blood stream and even boost your metabolism. Hot lemon water also helps regulate your body’s pH level (alkaline/acidity levels) which results in a strengthened immune system and overall better health.
Source: MindBody
Whether you’re a full-on meditator or could just use some piece and quiet, try and give yourself at least 15 minutes of silence. Listen to subtle noises around you, be aware of how your body feels, and enjoy what may be the only part of your day in which someone doesn’t want something from you.
Source: Odyssey
Spend at least 30 minutes getting your heart rate going. What? You didn’t think stretching was going to be your workout did you? Not only will having a daily workout routine leaving you looking great but the rush of endorphins your body produces post workout will have you feeling great all day long!
Source: Inspired Taste
Haven’t jumped on the green smoothie train? Well now is a perfect time. Not only are green smoothies packed with antioxidants, but they will also help your brain get out of its morning haze. Try incorporating superfoods like avocado, kale, chia seeds, and spirulina for an extra health boost.
Source: The Chic Site
This simple technique takes only ten minutes and will help improve blood circulation, help heal your digestive tract, and detoxify your body. Your pores and skin is a major detoxification system in your body. Many of the toxins leave your body through your pores and get stuck to your dry skin…gross. If the toxins don’t eventually get removed from your pores, then your skin acts like a sponge and reabsorbs them. By buying a simple dry brush and brushing your skin 3-4 times in the direction of blood flow, before your shower, you can help detox process and leave your skin feeling irresistibly soft.
Source: CBI Digital
While reading may seem like an evening activity, the right kind of book at the start of the day can train your mind to become more productive. Choose a book based on organization, time management, improving confidence, or expanding your business and commit to reading 10 pages at the start of each day. While 10 pages may not seem like much, the words will stick in your head like advice from a good friend, and you will find yourself referring to its guidance throughout the day.
Source: Success
Don’t carry that laundry list of to-do’s in your head, it will only result in causing stress and accomplishing very little. Instead, do a “brain dump” by writing everything you need to do on one paper, dividing the tasks into categories, and then prioritizing them into “top three’s”. This way you will train yourself to get started on the most important task, not just whatever keeps you busy.
Source: Inc.com
Take a moment to consider what your biggest challenge of the day may be, then assign yourself a mantra you can repeat to help face the challenge head on. For example, you may have a major presentation that you’re feeling nervous about, so you could try a mantra like, “My ideas are valuable, and this whole company will benefit from them” or if you are trying to stay on track with your diet you could say, “Today, I love myself enough to make my health a priority.”
Source: Quotesgram
Buy coffee for the person next in line, pay the toll for the car behind you, call a friend that you know is going through a hard time. Simple small acts can take less than 5 minutes and will leave you feeling wonderful all day. Not to mention by incorporating this giving action into your daily routine, you will touch at least one life a day in a positive way. That has to have some major karma pay off right?
Remember, everything done in your morning routine is done as an act of kindness and love to yourself. It’s not a mandatory task or a chore, because no one wants to start their day in that type of mood. So if you miss a day or two, try not to be too hard on yourself about it. Just forgive yourself, get to bed early the next day and remember tomorrow is a brand new day!
