6 Tips For A More Productive Morning #RiseHappy

Every Good Day Starts with A Morning Routine

1) Try to get as much done the night before

For instance, if your plan is to go for a run in the morning, have your running shorts next to your bed and your shoes and socks ready to go by the door. Small preparations the night before will help you in the morning if you’re feeling a little groggy or disoriented from this new habit. 

2) Sleep 

Ideally try and get 8 hours of sleep if you can – there’s no sense in waking up early and going for a run, drinking three cups of coffee, and doing a crossword puzzle if you’ve only had 4 hours of sleep. 

There was a study done back in 1993 that discussed the 10,000 hour rule – explaining that to become an expert in something you need to devote 10,000 hours of practice. Well, they studied experts in various fields and do you know what they all had in common? They slept on average 8.3 hours/night. So, if you want to be productive and continue to move towards your goals in life, you need your sleep. 

3a) Movement and hydration

We are mammals and by that I mean movement is part of our biology, it helps us pump blood and oxygen throughout our body to our muscles and up to our brain providing us the vital energy we need that makes us feel so good. So a great way to start your morning that will keep you productive throughout the day is some form of movement. That can be anything from a walk to 10 minutes of stretching. This movement helps carry oxygen throughout your body that helps release all kinds of powerful benefits, even serotonin in your brain. So, if you want to have a productive morning, start with movement. 

3b) Part two is water

What’s the first thing that most of us do in the morning? We go to the bathroom to pee. If you’ve ever looked at your pee in the morning and it’s yellow then you know you’re dehydrated. Water is our second primary fuel source, so another great way to jumpstart your day is by drinking water first thing. You’ll feel the water almost flush through your body like a good rinse of your insides.  

4) Not everyone is the same 

What I mean by this is that not everyone is an early bird like us. For instance, we love getting up at 5-530am, but we don’t mind going to bed at 9-930pm. However, that’s not everyone. Other’s, and this may be you, are night owls and love to stay up late. 

It’s all about knowing yourself and what’s best for you and sustainable. 

However, if you do want to become more of a morning person (an early bird) then the best thing you can do is to get up and get outside. Rise with the sun and feel the morning air on your body. This naturally resets your circadian rhythm, providing you more energy upon waking up. 

5) Do something that makes you feel good when you wake up 

So often we get caught up in other people’s routines, but it really comes down to doing what’s best for you and what makes you feel great first thing in the morning. You’ll then be able to carry this positive energy into the rest of your day, feeling great and owning your life! 

This can be anything from reading a chapter in a book, writing in your journal, playing sudoku, brewing up some tea or coffee, going for a walk, or getting in a jog or workout. The point is this is unique to you and your mornings don’t always have to look the same.

Wait, did I just contradict myself? If not all mornings have to look the same then how can it be a routine? The whole idea behind doing something that makes you happy instead of restricting yourself to one task every morning, is that it can change and should change. What makes you happy on Monday morning might not make you happy on Thursday or Friday morning. The routine is in picking something that you enjoy each morning and then actually doing it.

To start, try doing five different activities (one activity each day!) that get you excited Monday through Friday. After each activity write down how you feel and if you’d do it again. Do this for five straight days and at the end of the week reflect on each morning activity, asking yourself if you’d change anything, rearrange the activities on different days, or take any activities out and replace them with something new or repeat an activity that you really loved. Have fun with this and let us know your favorite morning activities in the comments below!

6) Accountability

Lastly, find someone that will hold you accountable, whether they are meeting you for your run or walk or simply checking in with you virtually. Having someone that you are accountable to will help keep you on track and provide you that extra kick you might need so you don’t disappoint that person or let them down. 

So, if you follow these 6 Tips you’re bound to have not only a more productive morning and day, but one that is filled with more joy and happiness.

#RiseHappy