TeamThe alarm rings and you hit the snooze button a couple of times for those “5 more minutes” only to get up a lot later than you planned and feel exhausted even though you’ve just slept.
Maybe you already have your own morning routine, but is it making you happy?
When you hear the alarm you shouldn’t feel stressed out, you should feel like it’s the music that helps you start a brand new day that offers more great opportunities.
Does it sound too good to be true?
Maybe so, but successful people have a morning routine that makes them happier. If you don’t feel like you’re one of them, it’s time to change something in your life, and what’s a better way to start than changing the way your day starts?
The way your day begins can significantly influence the way you feel during it. Are you ready to feel refreshed and energized when you wake up knowing that you have a good morning routine? Then keep reading because you’re about to learn what you can do in the morning to be happier.
1. Get up at the same time each day and wake up earlier than you need to
Having a steady sleep schedule is important for your health, so you should try to wake up at the same time every day. That’s not all though, because you should always aim to wake up at least 15 minutes earlier than your responsibilities require you to.
When you have to rush to get ready and do everything right after you’ve just woken up, it can make you feel stressed out throughout the day. Give yourself enough time to go through your morning routine before heading for work or starting anything else that you need to do during the day.
Don’t forget that the snooze button is your enemy, not your friend. We all like to get those “5 more minutes” of sleep, but as a result, we often feel tired and unmotivated because of it. Make an effort to get up as soon as the first alarm rings, and you’ll be much happier. If you need more sleep, you can always go to bed earlier.
2. Move your body
Some people go for a jog in the morning, hit the gym, or exercise, but this is not for everyone. It’s one of the best things you can do for your health, but if it’s just going to make you give up on your new morning routine, you don’t have to do it.
You do need to move your body, though. Don’t set goals that you’re not going to achieve but make an effort to stretch and move your body so that it truly wakes up.
3. Drink water and make your bed
A glass of water as the first thing in the morning is the best way to start your day. This is especially true for those of you who have a bad habit of grabbing a cup of coffee or a cigarette as soon as you open your eyes. Drink water instead, and if you can even drink it instead of coffee, it will do wonders for your health.
Making your bed in the morning should also be a routine you stick to. It will help you become aware that a new day has started, and you’ll be glad to see your bed all set for sleeping once the day is done.
4. Eat breakfast and talk to someone
Your body needs its fuel to keep going through the day, and you already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Coffee can’t count as breakfast, and you need proper food to feel energized. Cereals, oatmeal, toast, or eggs are all great choices for the first meal in the morning.
It’s also important to spend some quality time with your loved one, your family or simply call a friend to say hi. Mornings can seem lonely sometimes and having someone to talk to whenever possible can make you feel better. In addition, simply talking aloud makes you more awake and ready for what awaits you during the day.
5. Don’t check your phone until you’ve done everything mentioned above
If you’re anything like me, you grab your phone as soon as you wake up and check your emails while you’re not even properly awake yet. This is a bad habit and it’s much too soon to focus on responsibilities. Instead, don’t check your phone until you’ve done everything listed above. Once you’ve done it all, you will feel awake enough to focus on your phone without feeling overwhelmed and stressed out because of all the messages and emails you need to respond to.
6. Plan your day
A part of being happy is being productive, and being productive means planning your days. There are things you need to do during the day, so sit down and write down what needs to be done while you relax.
Don’t turn this plan into a to-do list that will just make you frustrated. Write down what kind of attitude you’re going to have, and simple things like “take a nap” as well. This will take the edge off, and you won’t be stressed because of work obligations and chores as much as you would be if you only wrote that.
7. Meditate
It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to relax and clear your mind. If you’re religious, you can pray, or you can think about the things you’re grateful for. Whatever you do, try to relax and focus on your breathing. It will help you be present in the moment and feel calm, which will set a great foundation for the rest of your day.
In the end, look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a smile. It’s a brand new day, and you got this!
