“Early to bed, early to rise” hardly ever applies to those who are accustomed to living in the fast lane. Imagine managing a busy work schedule, parenting, a spouse, external engagements, and entrepreneurship all at the same time; you’ll have almost no time to breathe! If you fall into this category, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Is a morning routine even possible with the tasking state of affairs”? When you hear “morning routine”, an alarm goes off in your head, and you’re thinking to yourself, “Is a morning routine even possible with the tasking state of affairs”?

Aside from the routine debate, we can all agree that there’s nothing worse than waking up late with a to-do list because you kept hitting the snooze button because you were tired. Please share your thoughts on how that day went. It’s not voodoo or rocket science, but a simple life principle: “how we start our day has a big impact on how our day turns out”. So get up, shine, glow, or whatever you want to call it, and be thankful for a new day.

Now it’s time to get back to creating that healthy morning routine. We’re not trying to add to your already overflowing to-do list; instead, we’re attempting to create a paradigm shift that prioritizes self-love and appreciation over all else. Consider this a necessary “me time” in which you reconnect with your body, soul, and mental health in order to prepare them for another day of hard work.

For starters, here’s a daily mini-routine you can follow:

– From the moment you wake up, develop a mantra of being grateful for the present moment (pun intended). You’ll have more reasons to be thankful if you’re grateful for who you are and what you have.

– For basic internal cleansing, drink a glass of lukewarm lemon water. It helps with bowel movement and is very refreshing in the morning.

– Allow the morning dew to rest on your skin by taking a short walk. On weekends, go for longer walks. This will allow you to clear your mind and appreciate the wonders of nature, as well as the wonders of simply being alive.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how to create a good healthy morning routine.

Be disciplined in love

There’s that vexing D-word again, but self-discipline is not the same as being cruel to yourself. The key is to maintain a level of consistency. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so be consistent in taking daily baby steps toward your health. When you make a mistake, your habits should not be extreme or make you feel like a rebel. Developing a healthy routine necessitates discipline, but discipline is practiced in the context of self-love. So make a commitment to do the above for the next 21 days, and they will become an automatic part of your morning routine.

Meditate/pray

The best time to start your day is in the morning, and it all starts with getting in touch with yourself. This ties in with our first habit of being grateful. “You can’t give what you don’t have”, as the saying goes. When you’ve lost your inner balance and are barely hanging on, it’s easier for that boss or coworker to get under your skin. Fill up on yourself so you can give more. If you’re spiritually inclined, prayer can help you achieve your goals.

Create a playlist

Music isn’t just for parties, but if you don’t believe us, consult a psychologist. Music helps to relieve chronic stress by lowering cortisol levels, making you feel more hopeful, powerful, and in control of your day. Music also stimulates all of the brain’s known areas. During the day, listening to music can make you smarter, happier, healthier, and more productive. A relaxing morning playlist, which you can listen to while you walk, shower, and get ready, is a great way to relax your nerves while also recharging your soul.

Exercise

To begin making a difference, all you need is 10 minutes of your time. Keep things simple and enjoyable when you’re first starting out. Exercise helps your body wake up and become more active. It’s also important for your mental health. Walking, of course, counts as exercise, but you can always do more by concentrating on your “problem areas,” if any exist. You can also consider jogging or skipping, which you can do from the comfort of your own home, especially on weekdays when the morning rush is particularly bad. If you’re not a morning person, this may be able to lift your spirits and free you from the morning monster curse.

Have a smart breakfast + a Ted talk

Photo: Viktoria Slowikowska | Pexels

You should probably expect your system to be thrown out of whack if you skip breakfast or just throw a few spoons in your mouth on the run. Uncontrollable cravings, hunger, and low energy levels are common side effects, leaving you unmotivated. It’s bad enough that you’re stressed out from traffic or your job; skipping breakfast will only exacerbate your situation. It’s a good idea to keep a food schedule because it will relieve the stress of not knowing what to eat. So, for motivation, eat a well-balanced, healthy breakfast and a fruit snack while watching a Ted talk.

Have a “To-Do” List

A to-do list helps you stay focused and eliminates distractions. Nothing can compare to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from crossing items off your to-do list as the day progresses and knowing you’ve had a productive day. In the end, there’s a lot more to health than what we eat. The lifestyle component accounts for more than half of our total health, so it’s important to pay attention to it. There is no better way to start your day than with a healthy and consistent morning routine if you want to experience drive, happiness, and peace of mind.

Featured image: Asa Dugger | Pexels