I make Morning Moves!

Small Changes for Big Wins

A morning routine is exactly what everyone needs in order to have a successful day. Your routine could look however you want it to look as well. It could be you waking up three to four hours before you start work and doing everything that you want to do, whether that be going to the gym, doing yoga, stretching, praying to your higher up, or even journaling. It can be you having more time in the morning to listen to your favorite music and having a concert in the shower. Whatever you decide, it’s important for everyone to have a morning routine, no matter who you are or what you deal with.

Why Your Morning Routine Sets The Tone

It’s important to have some type of routine in place even if it’s a small one. The same way you may partake in a nightly routine to get settled and prepared for bed is the same way you should do in the morning to prepare for the day. When it comes to creating a system for yourself in the morning, you do this in order to take control of how you want your day to go. A morning routine can increase your energy, your outlook on the day, and your productivity. If you have a good start to your morning, you’ll feel better and perform better when doing tasks. A morning routine not only gives you time to yourself, but it also allows you to set intentions and complete tasks you may not be able to do during the day.

1. Wake Up Earlier

The first step is to get into the habit of waking up earlier. This means that we can no longer hold on to our pillows until the very last second. Place your alarm clock across the room so you have to get out of bed to get to it.

By waking up earlier we give ourselves time for gratitude. If you’ve ever pulled yourself from the bed with little to no time to spare, you know that sometimes the last thing to come to mind is being grateful for the night’s sleep or the warm water running from the faucet as you wash your face.

2. Appreciate the Small Things

Feeling appreciation for the little things is often overlooked and underestimated. We can set ourselves up for happier days by bringing light to the things in our lives that bring joy.

3. Drink Water

Hydrating at the start of the day can make a huge difference as well. Again, it’s about setting the tone. There are many benefits to drinking water first thing in the morning, especially on an empty stomach. It helps rid the body of toxins, improves metabolism, promotes radiant skin, and strengthens the immune system.

4. Eat Breakfast

Waking up early also means having a chance to eat a well-balanced breakfast. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to stop to grab something convenient and awful just to keep the stomach growling at a minimum. If we set the tone for the day by eating a good, nutritious breakfast, the rest of the day’s meals get into formation and we tend to eat nutritious lunches.

5. Write Down Your Tasks and Goals

Because we’re up with enough time to really get our thoughts together, we can write down our most important tasks and goals. Whatever it is that needs to get done, we identify them and write them down to hold ourselves accountable.

6. Affirm Yourself!

We also need to reinforce and affirm ourselves, our goals, and our vision. This helps us focus, prioritize, and manage our time better. This practice also boosts confidence and self-love. Remind yourself of how beautiful, talented, capable, and intelligent you are.

Of course, life is constantly throwing variables at us, but at least we have some structure now. We want to set ourselves up for success so it’s okay to take baby steps. If you tend to wake up at 8:30 to be out of the house by 8:45, then try waking up at 8:15 instead. Continue to wake up 15 minutes earlier each day and perhaps go to bed earlier as well. Small steps lead to much bigger changes and before you know it, you’ll be waking up two hours earlier!

Having a solid morning routine is so important because again, it sets the tone for the day. Small wins empower us to achieve bigger wins, so start small.