Tips for a productive morning routine
We all know getting up and at it in the morning can be challenging. We spend too much time on our phones the night before we make up other excuses to stay in bed just a little bit longer. It may not seem it, but these bedroom behaviours might be contributing to you not getting your sh*t done! If your morning routine could use a boost, check out my tips for a productive morning.
Aim for a consistent sleep schedule
This tip should come as no surprise, but it is super important! Do your best to get to bed early; by getting to bed, I mean sleep, not scroll your phone in bed for hours before falling asleep. An earlier night means that waking up earlier will be a lot easier, duh! Ensure you get between 8-10 hours of sleep, making your mornings much better. A sleep schedule is great as your body and mind will adjust to it, and consistency always makes productivity easier to achieve. If possible, get yourself some sunshine first; this will help with your sleep schedule as it notifies your body that you are awake and it is indeed the morning.
Implement some Self Care
There are many ways we can show ourselves some care in the mornings, so whichever one sticks out to you is worth a shot! Meditation and mindfulness are great in the morning, allowing you to align with your body and centre yourself. Keep off your phone for at least an hour after waking up; the last thing you need to do is compare yourself to others and be bombarded with ads, images and whatever else. Eat a nourishing breakfast and drink water; this will set up your energy levels and improve them throughout the day. Studies have shown that making your bed in the morning leads to a more productive and happier day; it is an easy way to get a sense of accomplishment as you start your day. Spending a bit of time doing your favourite hobby, journaling & practising gratitude is also great for the soul.
Do some exercise
Now, when I'm saying exercise, I don't mean you have to be in the gym immediately after waking up unless that's your vibe! Instead, you can do a light stretch for 5-10 mins followed by something low impact, i.e. yoga, pilates, or walking. These 'easier' exercise forms are great for moving your body without stressing out your nervous system. A bonus to keeping your exercises simple is that because they are simple, you are more likely to be able to stick to the routine of doing them each morning.
Get on top of your time management
This one may seem like a given, but allowing yourself enough time to get ready in the morning so you don't have to rush is underappreciated. Once again, this ties into your sleep schedule. If you are better rested, then upon waking, you can better seize your morning. Having more time in the morning means you don't stress yourself out from the start of your day. Slowing down and taking some time to tend to yourself in the morning will make you much more productive throughout the day.