You probably don’t give much thought to how you start off your day. For most people, it boils down to a morning routine of getting up, getting dressed, and getting on to the tasks at hand. If this describes you, it may be time to reconsider.
How you approach your mornings sets the tone for your entire day. If you habitually skimp on sleep, skip breakfast, or shortchange how you look and feel, you are compromising your ability to stay focused, engaged, and productive for later on.
For tips on how to start your day off right, try tweaking your morning routine to include these eight smart strategies.
Wake up refreshed:
Go to bed at a decent time every night and give yourself 7 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep. Allow for enough time after you wake up to go through your morning routine without feeling rushed.
Greet the day with optimism:
Assume a positive attitude when you first wake up. Take a few moments to identify 2 or 3 reasons to be happy and reflect on what makes you feel thankful.
Make your bed:
Always make your bed in the morning. This initial activity will give you a sense of accomplishment and completion.
Jumpstart your morning with water:
It is important to hydrate your body after hours of sleep. Start your morning by drinking a large glass of water to help remove toxins from your digestive tract, support weight loss, and stimulate your metabolism.
Eat a nourishing breakfast:
Celebrate your day with a healthy breakfast. It will kick-start your metabolism and fuel your body with energy and nutrition to stay mentally sharp and productive.
Allow time to meditate:
As part of your morning routine, incorporate some form of meditation to focus your mind and emotions. It may be as simple as a few breathing techniques but do explore your options.
Listen to uplifting music:
As part of your morning regiment, listen to upbeat music that stimulates positive emotions and energy. With the right kind of music, you can add a smile on your face and a skip to your step.
Take time for you:
Every morning, spend time and energy on your appearance. Make the effort to look and feel good about yourself.
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Written by: Patricia K. Flanigan, Smart Strategies for Successful Living
Patricia K. Flanigan has worked in higher education for over 28 years. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne as well as a M.A. in Latin American Studies and B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before retiring and moving to Idaho in 2015, she served as the dean of online education and learning resources at Saddleback College, a large community college in Southern California. She currently consults in higher education, volunteers for AARP, writes for a local magazine, and serves as an Affiliate Faculty member at Boise State University and a contributing member to LEARN Idaho. Since February 2017, she has been the founding director for Smart Strategies for Successful Living, a community-based website designed to promote quality aging. As an educator, her focus is to inspire others to live and age well.
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Source: Northwestern MedicineThe Importance of Establishing a Morning Routine: CLICK HERE
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Source: WebMD
