The Power of A Morning Routine: How to Make + Stick to One

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Nothing gets your blood pumping quite like realizing you snoozed your alarm clock one too many times and you now have exactly 12 minutes from the time your feet hit the floor to be rushing out the door? If you’ve never experienced the panic of a late start to your day, well done you. If you have, then might we suggest implementing a morning routine to your daily rituals?

Let’s clear up any misconceptions about morning routines that may be keeping you from starting your own. First off, morning routines don’t have to be just any one thing. If your goal is to become more mindful, try meditating in the mornings. If your goal is to become more fit, sign up for morning workout classes. The best types of morning routines are personalized for each individual so that you get the most out of your morning and kickstart your productivity for the day.

Secondly, for those that insist they are “not morning people,” our answer is that if there’s a will, there’s a way. Switching from night owl tendencies to becoming a morning person, won’t be easy, but there are steps you can take such as waking up just 20 minutes earlier than you usually do and adding more minutes as your body becomes used to it, that can make the process less painful.

And of course, science backs up the benefits of morning routines. For example, being a morning person can have a positive impact on your ability to concentrate, lead to faster reaction times, help you become agreeable, and improve conscientiousness.

5 Tips for Setting Your Own Morning Routine

Now that you’ve heard the case for setting your own morning routine, we’ll dive into a few tips for easing into a morning routine below.

Make Your Bed

This may seem like a no-brainer, but crossing tasks off your list (even small ones) early in your day can help set you up for success and productivity throughout the day.

Take a Cold Shower

Before you reach for your cup of coffee in the morning, try taking a cold shower first. The shock of the water will signal your brain that it’s time to fully wake up for the day. The invigorating rush of cold water can actually have similar effects to your morning coffee boost, without the negative side effects that come along with coffee.

Skip the Traditional Alarm Clock

One way to make becoming a morning person a bit easier is by catering to your circadian rhythm. Opt for a sunrise alarm clock that will help your body wake naturally by using light to gradually wake you out of your sleep. By the time your alarm goes off, your body has already been preparing to wake up, so it doesn’t cause as much of a startle.

Eat a Protein-Packed Breakfast

Start your day off with the proper fuel by preparing a healthy meal. A few protein-rich breakfast ideas include making your own omelette, avocado toast or a protein-rich smoothie.

Drink More Water

When you go hours without drinking water throughout the night, your body becomes dehydrated. So opting for water first thing when you wake up will help rehydrate you and set your day up for success.

Our friends at Auraglow created this helpful infographic that dives into even more tips for establishing a productive morning routine. It will take some time for you to turn your new morning habits into a routine, but stick with the process to reap the many benefits of establishing a routine. You’ll be more productive and ready to face whatever challenges are thrown your way.

Source: auraglow.com