Optimizing Your Morning Routine

Are you looking to optimize your morning routine? Check out what our friends from unwstd., our partners and Sober Curators of Sydney, Australia have to share about making the most of your mornings.

It’s no secret that how you begin each day will ultimately determine how the rest of your day pans out. Having a good morning routine that you can follow can be the difference between a great day and a really bad day. Take it from me, I used to have no set schedule in the morning and my mind was all over the place. I know I needed some structure in the mornings so I decided to implement some new, healthy habits into my routine. Let me walk you through them! 

Set your alarm!

First, I set my alarm for 6:00 a.m and make a list of things I need to do for the day the night before so I am not scrambling or forgetting what needs to be done. But yes, I wake up early so I can make the most of my day…it might be hard at first to get up early but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I am most productive in the mornings and studies have showed that being up early is one of the key drivers of success.

Hands off! No phone!

Second, I do not reach for my phone first thing when I wake up. Scrolling through Instagram and checking texts can wait at least 30 minutes to an hour after getting up. I try and get out of bed fairly quickly so I’m not tempted to go back to sleep. A good trick for getting out of bed first thing is to put your alarm somewhere you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off.

Make Yo Bed!

Third, I make my bed! This is a must for me. If I don’t make my bed, the rest of the day will be really subpar. It takes 2 minutes, so make your bed if you can. You will feel organized and accomplished first thing in the morning. Plus, it’s just nice to come home at the end of the day. 

Drink H2O

Fourth, WATER. I drink lots of water in the morning before I have any coffee because our bodies are the most dehydrated first thing when we wake up. This is a great habit because you won’t be needing to catch up on your water intake throughout the day. THEN coffee. Not going to lie, just thinking about coffee is enough to get me out of bed.

Sip, Plan, and Journal

Fifth, while I drink my coffee, I plan my day and journal. I write down what I need to do for the day in checklist form, organize my time in blocks, and write down what I am grateful for. Doing something mindful in the morning will help you conquer your day and you get it out of the way early so you are lazer focused on work or whatever else your day brings.

Breathe

Sixth, I like to practice my breathing or do a short 5-10 minute meditation. This calms me down and relieves me of any anxieties I might have during the day. It’s also a great way to feel energized and reset your mood. I like using the apps Bloom and Breathwork because they are so simple. No excuses, just click and go. 

Move yo body!

Lastly, I exercise. I go to the gym, or I go for a run or a long walk. Exercise is crucial for me because it helps my mental health so much and makes me feel so good afterward. I love listening to a good playlist or podcast to motivate me throughout my workout. 

Now I am fully ready for my day and I know it will be amazing!

Now, this may seem like a lot of steps, but it actually goes by super quickly! I have become so much more productive, energized, and organized since having a great morning routine. It has become one of the best parts of my day because I know it’s setting me up for a great rest of my day, no matter what i’m doing! 

The Daily Llama brings you short, one-word meditations, paired with a quote and daily reflection. Make sure to check this section of the site Monday – Friday for your complete wool-being. (The Daily Llama takes the weekends off to practice selfie-care)

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