Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. Do you feel foggy and tired when you sleep through the alarm? Maybe you jump out of bed and start cooking some eggs? To improve how you look, feel and relate to others, level up your morning routine. Adopt these 10 tips today and watch your life improve.
Words: Kate Harveston
Image: Allie Smith on Unsplash
1. Focusing on Intentions
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What's the first thing you do when you wake up? If you reach for your phone and start scrolling social media, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity. Plus, if the first story you see is negative, it colors your mood. Instead, start each day by setting intentions. If you're spiritual, practice yoga, meditation or prayer. Even an avowed atheist can harness the power of mindfulness.
2. Make Your Bed
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Sure, making your bed is a tiny accomplishment — but it starts your day with a small taste of success. Psychologists say making your bed kickstarts a chain reaction of other good decisions throughout the day. Plus, it feels good to climb between neatly made sheets when night falls again.
3. Consider Your Sleep
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Do you feel tired when you wake up? Feeling unrested after a good nights' sleep can indicate a deeper health issue. You might suffer from sleep apnea or UARS (upper airway resistance syndrome), both of which cause frequent nighttime waking. Common symptoms of a sleep disorder include snoring, daytime sleeping, headaches, irritability and anxiety. Your doctor can refer you to a sleep study for diagnosis.
4. Get Your Blood Flowing
Whether you do a 5-minute yoga routine or go for a jog, getting your blood flowing starts your day right. When you exercise, you bathe your brain in oxygen, waking up your neurons and improving concentration. Plus, if you suffer chronic inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, getting your blood flowing gently lubricates your joints, easing pain throughout the day.
5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
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Those who eat breakfast tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who skip it, even if they consume more calories throughout the day. Are mornings hectic? You have to get the kids and yourself ready. Instead of a grab-and-go meal like a frozen burrito, opt for fruit or a yogurt parfait. You can also make a morning smoothie packed with a punch of protein.
6. Elevate Your Coffee
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You can still enjoy your morning coffee. If you look forward to enjoying a barista-style coffee in the mornings, there is no need to miss out on this crucial part of your morning ritual. Even on the most hectic of mornings, there can still be time for coffee. To help you save some time on busy mornings, you could make your coffee using Nespresso compatible pods to help you prepare your perfect coffee in no time at all. The smooth taste and rich aroma of the coffee provide a sensory experience that will help you to fully wake up and feel ready for the day ahead. According to experts, caffeine may boost memory and thinking skills. To spice up your routine, add a dash of turmeric and cinnamon to your grounds. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps alleviate chronic pain, and cinnamon naturally controls your blood sugar levels.
7. Say You Care
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How often do you rush to work without saying, "I love you," to your partner or children? Take the time to tell them you care. Expressing your emotions increases your level of oxytocin, the so-called cuddle hormone, and naturally improves your mood. Plus, when you tell people you love them, you feel more connected.
8. Transform Your Commute
If you curse at traffic throughout your morning commute, you're emitting some heavy-duty negative vibes — and you're not making people drive any faster. Instead, tune into an uplifting podcast to improve your mindset. You can also put on your favorite jams and turn your vehicle into a personal recording studio.
9. Review Your To-Do List
When you get to the office, review your to-do list. Hopefully, you set this up before leaving the previous evening. If you did not, take a few minutes to outline your most important tasks. As you check each item off, you feel intense satisfaction. Try to look ahead and plan out your week, month and year.
10. Tackle Your Chores
When you begin your workday, it's tempting to check email and slack a bit. Instead, dive into your toughest task. The psychological dread you feel is often more uncomfortable than getting it done. Once you've tackled the biggest challenge, everything else will flow more easily.