The Importance of Mastering Your Mornings

Imagine this. It’s morning time. You’re snug like a bug in your bed, warm under the blankets. You open your eyes to the sun shining through the cracks in your bedroom curtains. You catch the scent of a freshly brewed pot of coffee wafting in from the kitchen. You smile, thinking about the beautiful day you’re about to have and the many things you’re going to do, the people you’re going to see.

Doesn’t that sound amazing?

Well, let’s face it. For some of us, that morning isn’t our reality. I’ll speak for myself here. The alarm wakes me up in the middle of REM, so when I open my eyes, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, and there are anchors attached to my eyelids. I’m tangled in the sheets, so I have to wrestle my way out of them. My hair is matted and tangled. All my clothes are somehow crooked. I am a mess.

And this is just the first five minutes of my day. I’m not even out of the room yet! How could I possibly turn this around?

It Starts with Routine

Not everyone is a morning person, but that doesn’t mean a jilted start should follow you throughout your day. The best way to combat this is to create a routine that simultaneously shakes off those cobwebs and reorients your day to a productive and happy starting place. Here are some ideas:

Eat breakfast. A well-balanced meal gives you the energy you’ll need to tackle the day. Plus, it also gives you a reason to sit and relax or talk to your loved ones before you head off to work.

Take a shower. Showers are proven to have many benefits, including better circulation, feeling more awake, and improving concentration.

Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise has significant mental health improvements for people who struggle with mental illness. Take time in the morning to walk on the treadmill, take your dog for a walk, or do some yoga. Anything to get your body active and engaged.

Take time for yourself. Whether that’s putting on makeup, picking out an outfit, meditating to find your center, or dancing in your living room to happy tunes, give yourself a break. Do something that’ll make you smile every morning and carry that smile with you the entire day.

Healthy Habits Create Healthy (and Happy) Lives

Morning routines are especially important now. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in countless ways. People are working from home, children are doing distance learning, and no one knows when this will end. That’s why routines and structure are essential. We need them to stay productive, healthy, and happy.

Mastering your morning has such incredible benefits and can change your life. It won’t happen overnight, but if you devote the time and commit to this, you’ll start to see considerable improvements in your mental and physical health. You’ll start sleeping better, you’ll be more clear-headed throughout the day, and you’ll find you have so much more time to do the things you love. 

If you find yourself struggling, remember:

Do What Works for You

Only you know your mind and body. These are great suggestions to get you started, and there’s a lot of scientific evidence to back this up, but you should always go with your gut. You know which parts of your routine bring you joy. You know what makes you happy. Master your morning by developing a routine that works for you. 

If you have any other tips and tricks you use to set yourself up for a beautiful day, let us know in the comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

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