The morning is one of the most important times of the day. It can dictate what type of mood you’re in, how productive you are, and how your overall day will go. For many, morning can be stressful and unpleasant. They may find themselves running from one thing to the next the second they jump out of bed. Others may feel lethargic, stressed, and even anxious in the morning. The morning time doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, by implementing a healthy morning routine, you can boost your mental health and overall productivity throughout the day. All it takes is a little planning and a set schedule to stick to on a daily basis.
Planning Ahead of Time
Most people value their sleep so much they’re hesitant to give any of it up and sleep until the last minute every morning. You only need to sacrifice at least 30 mins of sleep in order to have enough time to incorporate a good morning routine. This means you may have to take care of some things you would ordinarily due in the mornings the night before. For example, consider taking a shower at night instead of in the morning, packing your lunch ahead of time, having your outfit for the day already picked out and ready for you, and making sure your bag is packed for the day. This way, you’ll have more time to spend to yourself in the morning, and there will be far less stress and rushing around.
Put Your Health First
The first thing you want to do when your alarm goes off in the morning is to get out of bed and open the curtains to allow the sunlight into your room. Sunlight is not only good for your mental health, but it can help wake you up. It can also help make your bed right away, making you less likely to crawl back in. Are you the kind of person who reaches for your phone and scrolls through texts, emails, and social media the second you get out of bed? Because this can lead to stress first thing in the morning, try to avoid your phone until after your morning routine has been completed.
You will also want to consider what you’re drinking first thing in the morning. If coffee is normally your first beverage of the day, consider having water with lemon first. Staying hydrated can not only improve your digestion but also boost your energy and mental health.
Start With Gratitude
Gratitude is so important for good mental health. No matter what stresses or low points you may come across during your day, and there will always be things for you to be grateful for. By starting the day with a grateful heart, you’ll be more likely to think positively and handle any problems that may come your way. To better foster gratitude, consider starting your day by writing down at least three things that you’re grateful for in a journal. The more you do this, the more gratitude will become second nature to you, and you’ll be practicing it without having to think about it as much.
Get Your Body Moving
Some people might not have the time or opportunity to fit a whole workout in the morning. If this is your case, you can still find other ways to get your body moving. This could include simply stretching or trying out yoga. Yoga is an excellent option because it allows you to move your body while also focusing on how you feel mentally and emotionally. It can also lead to boosted energy and a better overall mood.
Plan Out Your Day
If you struggle with stress and anxiety, making planning a part of your day may help. Proper planning involves more than glancing at a calendar, but actually taking the time to write down what you need to do each day and determining which of these things are high priority and which are not. Once you have done this, you can place an order for your tasks from most important to least important. The most important include things that must be accomplished during the day, and the least important are tasks that can be put off to a different day. Having this priority system and knowing what you need to do during the day can help lessen feelings of being overwhelmed and overworked.
Once you have completed this part of your routine and taken time for your mental health, you can then begin with the next part of your morning and take care of things like eating breakfast and getting dressed.
The mornings are stressful and hectic for many people, but they don’t have to be. By waking up 30 minutes early each day, you can incorporate a healthy morning routine that can help relieve stress, improve your mood, and enhance your overall well-being. It starts with getting out of bed right as your alarm goes off and avoiding looking at your phone right away. You’ll also want to make sure you take care of your physical health by staying hydrated and getting your body moving, if only for 10 minutes or so. You can start your day on a positive note by practicing gratitude and using a planner or notebook to help determine your priority items for the day. At Achieve Concierge, we want to help you ensure that your mental health is the best it can be. Call us at (619) 393-5871 today.