Have you ever given any thought to the way that you start your day and how that may affect how the next 16 hours go? Do you ever feel like you are stuck and you can’t seem to make progress? There is a reason for that and a lot of it may have to do with how you spend the first 45 minutes of your morning.
I have done success trainings and tried various morning routines over the years. I think I finally found a routine that supports my mind, body and spirit and gives me the proper balance to tackle the day ahead.
First of all, don’t hit the snooze button! I did a training not long ago on the success habits of millionaires. One of the top tips was not hitting the snooze button (and if I am being honest, I still struggle with this one on occasion) but it makes sense. Mentally, when you hit the snooze button, you start your day from behind. Hitting the snooze button can extend that period of grogginess. The reason: Rolling over and falling back asleep after the alarm puts you back into slow wave or deep sleep; waking from that stage of sleep makes sleep inertia worse, according to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research. To start your day off right, get out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off. Don’t delay, just do.
Secondly, stay off electronics for the first 45 minutes of your day. This is another great success tip that I picked up in one of my training courses. Have you noticed that when you pick up your phone first thing and start reading texts and emails or checking social media, you can end up being sucked in and before you know it, 30+ minutes have gone by. Not to mention, using your phone in the morning can affect your brain’s ability to prioritize tasks. “The information overload that hits [you] before you’re fully awake interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks,” said Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, a psychiatrist, who was quoted by Elite Daily. To start your day with mental clarity and focus, stay off your phone/computer for a bit.
MY MORNING ROUTINE FOR SUCCESS
WAKE UP AT 6:30
I am not a morning person. If I didn’t have to get up to get my kids ready for school, I’d probably sleep until 8:30 every day. There are benefits of getting up earlier, mainly, that I get a couple of extra hours in my day. This gives me quiet time with God and gives me time to exercise first thing.
Some of the benefits of waking up early are:
- More positive outlook
- More energy
- Time to get organized
- Time for exercise
- Better Sleep
- Time to yourself
- Healthier Skin
- Better Concentration
BRUSH TEETH/SPLASH FACE WITH COLD WATER
Brushing my teeth is self-explanatory. You have to get the funk out of your mouth when you wake up. Then I either wash my face or splash cold water on it. This helps me wake up and snap out of morning zombie mode. (I rarely drink coffee, so cold water is my go-to for a jumpstart.) According to an article in Cigna Health, A splash of cold water over your face will draw your circulation upward, toward your head, temporarily renewing your energy, making you feel more awake. Doing this every morning will help get you on your way!
MORNING DEVOTIONAL/PRAYER
When I do not have a weekly Bible Study with homework, I normally listen to or read a daily devotional from Our Daily Bread. Then I use the Scripture reading that goes with the devotional to read a chapter. For example, if the verse that goes with the devotional is John 3:16, I will read chapter 3 in its entirety. Then I spend time in prayer.
According to Dr. Tim Weins, there are four main benefits to spending at least 10 minutes in the morning doing a daily devotional.
- It reminds us of what to focus on the rest of our day.
- It reminds us of our priorities.
- It reminds us of our calling to love God and love others.
- It reminds of who we are in Christ and who He wants us to be.
WALK A MILE+
I have found that my mind, body and soul benefit greatly when I start my day with a brisk walk. While walking outside in the fresh air and sunshine is ideal, I can’t deal with the heat. During the hot months, I walk with Leslie Sansone on youtube. She makes walking at home fun. And I promise, you will sweat!
A 30-minute walk in the morning can change your life! There are a plethora of health benefits including:
- Natural boost of energy
- Improved mental health
- Deeper sleep
- Boosts your brain health
- Improves your heart health
- Reduced risk of diabetes
- Improves balance
- Reduces muscle & joint pain
Whatever you choose to do in the morning, make sure you are calling the shots! A morning routine is said to boost happiness, increase productivity, reduce stress levels and get you grounded and settled for the day. It’s about getting started on the ‘right foot’. A morning routine also allows you to start your morning with intention, rather than letting the day run away from you. If you have been struggling to reach health, personal or work goals, you might benefit from adding some structure to your morning.
Start your day focused, not scattered.
