The way you act in the morning sets the stage for your entire day. Too many of us wake up at the last minute - after hitting snooze, of course - then scramble to fill a bag with everything we need for the day. We then rush out the door with a cup of instant coffee in hand only to spend the day anxious and rushed before repeating it all tomorrow. Break the cycle by following this early morning routine to get your day off to a great start:
Give yourself time
Give yourself a few hours to ease into your day and shift from sleep mode to fully awake. Fortune recommended setting your alarm for two hours before you have to be anywhere. This gives you enough time to complete those items further down this list.
Listen to your alarm
Getting five extra minutes of sleep is tempting, but hitting the snooze button is one of the worse things you can do to start the day. As Business Insider noted, snoozing messes with your sleep cycle and makes you more tired later. It feels good in the moment, but it's nowhere near the 90 minute sleep sessions your body naturally goes through. Interrupting these cycles makes you feel disoriented and affects both memory and decision-making skills - not good if you need to make it to work in half an hour.
Hitting snooze ruins your sleep cycle and can make you crash later.
Get a good stretch
Even if your schedule prevents you from squeezing in a full workout in the morning, you should still take time to get in a few stretches. According to the American Council on Exercise, stretching in the morning gets your mind and body ready for the day. It's a gentle way to warm your muscles and get your blood flowing, reducing the potential for cramps. ACE provided a simple routine you can do before getting out of bed, or you can try this morning yoga sequence courtesy of Prevention.
Eat a filling breakfast
A cup of coffee alone won't cut it when eating in the morning. According to Rush University Medical Center, a healthy breakfast gets your metabolism going. Getting some food in after several hours of sleep assures your body that it isn't starving, so it starts to burn calories instead of conserving them. This is why any reputable dietician will tell you skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do to establish a healthy lifestyle. People who skip breakfast tend to have a harder time concentrating and eat more unhealthy foods throughout the day. Fruit and oatmeal or breakfast burritos with eggs, chicken sausage and wheat tortillas are great options.
Eating a healthy breakfast kickstarts your metabolism.
Meditate
Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply and focus on the present moment. According to The Art of Living Foundation, meditation increases focus and creativity while reducing anxiety. This positive mental state makes you more engaged and productive throughout your day. Even if you don't have time for a two-hour Zen session, just 10 minutes of focused breathing is enough to bring your attention to the present moment. Set your timer or download a meditation app, sit upright in a comfortable position and concentrate on inhaling and exhaling fully. Make sure to keep your eyes open - not only does this prevent your mind from wandering, but it also keeps you awake during the groggy morning hours.
Make a list
Before starting on any one task, take time to write out everything you need to accomplish for the day. Getting organized starts you off on the right foot and ensures you don't miss anything as the hours pass by. Jot down what you need to accomplish at work, which children have school or practice, any scheduled appointments or whatever needs to happen that day.
Developing a morning routine requires dedication, but you'll be better off for it. Starting things off right brings more happiness to your daily life, reducing stress and improving your sense of well-being.