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In light of resolution season, I decided now would be the perfect time to write about a productive morning routine (achieved through acting upon 5 habits) that I think everybody could benefit from adopting.
I’ve seen these practices skyrocket not only my productivity but also my motivation for my work and general happiness. None of these require you waking up at the butt-crack of dawn (although I do recommend that) or sleeping at 8 p.m.
These habits are perfect to take the place of damaging ones that we all have done before. Keep in mind- it is impossibly difficult to successfully abandon a bad habit if you don’t have another habit to replace it with.
Check out 5 Morning Habits Killing Your Productivity to pinpoint what substitutions you can make.
1) Have a Self- Care Regimen
Self-care is an awfully broad term associated with any practices that foster appreciation for oneself. Life coaches and influencers often encourage people to start their day with positive affirmations, literally speaking complements to yourself.
These are impactful, but many people (including myself) often don’t feel quite comfortable doing them. Fear not; there are other ways to practice self care that will motivate you for a great day ahead!
One thing I really love to do is start my day with oil pulling. A post is coming on this soon…. but basically it is an ayurvedic practice that helps eliminate bacteria from the mouth.
It has many other purported benefits, but I’ll get into those another time. After this, I like to drink a detoxifying lemon water with a face mask on.
Having a self-care regimen in the morning, be it five minutes or 15 minutes long, boosts your self confidence and will propel you into a good day.
2) Working Out
Hmmmm… you knew this was coming, didn’t ya? Hate to be trite, but I cannot help it in this case- working out in the early morning is SO beneficial for physical, mental, and emotional reasons!!
I find it morning workouts to be especially unpopular among people my age (college aged students).
Campus gyms seem to always be busier at night than anytime before 12 p.m. But I know that the last thing I want to do coming home from a long day of classes and org meetings is walk all the way back to the gym!
Related-> No Gym Required Fat Burning HIIT Workout
By knocking out a sweaty workout in the morning, you avoid this early evening burnout that can often result in no exercise at all.
Plus, our metabolisms rev up after a workout, so morning workouts enable full day high speed caloric burn.
We all know that exercise releases happy endorphins that put us in a good mood…. doing so in the morning is like taking a happy shot that will last all day!
3) Nourishing Your Body
You’ve already heard about the importance of a well-rounded breakfast, but let’s talk about a meal that will really power you through your morning and keep you satisfied until lunch.
I know that most people lose their motivation to eat healthy as the day goes on. In the mornings, people generally are more driven to stick to their goals of eating healthy. Take advantage of this natural motivation!
A nutrient packed meal includes a good proportion of the fats, carbs, and protein and a large amount of micronutrients (derived from fruits and vegetables).
There are surprisingly tons of easy ways to get in veggies even in your breakfasts!
If you don’t have time to cook in the mornings, prepare your breakfasts the night before and grab it to go! Some great grab and go options that can be refrigerated are: overnight oats, tofu scramble, smoothies, and chia pudding, to name a few.
You can keep track of what you eat and how you feel throughout the day by using a Mindful Health Planner! Different than a typical food journal, a mindful health journal helps you track mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health DAILY!
4) Nourishing Your Mind
I think that catching up on a few articles/news stories while eating breakfast is a great habit to keep. For one, it keeps you updated on world matters (even though much seems to be dire these days).
Doing so also prevents you from getting easily distracted by news headlines while you’re at work; you’re already aware of many of the days headlines!
It’s so important to read and extend your knowledge base, but it’s easy to avoid doing this when your focus is diverted towards work. Just by going over a few articles in the morning over breakfast, you will create a habit of daily learning and extending connections in the brain.
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5) Positivity Practice
What makes your soul feel positive and energized to take on the day? For me it is prayer and reflection. Even 5 minutes of engaging in a positivity practice can get you started on the right foot.
Whether it be meditation, prayer, positive affirmations, singing, dancing, reading, or WHATEVER, do something that makes you smile and you will feel happier throughout the day; I assure you!
My Productive Morning Routine
Here’s a look at my ideal morning routine- it gets my day started on a good foot, and ensures that I am ready to work the rest of the day!
There’s no harm in trying different things until you find your optimal morning routine.
Establishing a routine of habits is what our brains thrive off of. Everytime we practice a habit our success in completing the task increases!
SO set your alarm for tomorrow and think of one thing you want to do before you start your day.
Thanks for reading! Let me know how it goes. What is YOUR favorite morning activity?
