Do you want to know the secret of how successful people remain productive every day? Although the title is a dead giveaway, I’m still going to tell you what it is…it’s creating a morning routine. Adding 30 minutes to your day can really boost your energy, mood and productivity. The effects can be quite amazing if you ask me…
The basic concept of setting up your morning routine is all about doing things for the most important person in your life – you – before the day really starts. This is something you owe to yourself because if you put it off for later (end of the day), you probably won’t have the energy to do it anymore. And you may not notice the effect at first, but if you’re not able to do things for yourself, you won’t really feel that much productive from day to day.
Wake up 30 minutes earlier if you must, to get an earlier head start in building a morning routine towards your productivity. If you can wake up an hour before, that’s even better (just don’t shorten your sleeping hours).
The Early Worm Beats Stress
First of all, if you wake up 30 minutes earlier, you will have more time to prepare for work or to do what you need to do. There is no cause to be stressed out because you have extra time to digest what it is you need to do and plan ahead. No rushing, no speed tickets, no headaches and no tardiness at work. Without the stress, you’ll find yourself motivated to complete more work during the day.
Time to Reflect and Meditate
Waking up 30 minutes earlier gives you time to reflect, and this is something every person must do. Reflect on what happened yesterday, reflect if you are acting towards your goals, reflect on your time management and work management and etc. Take this time to think because when you do, your mind becomes clearer. Hence, you can think clearer throughout the day too.
Stretch and Sweat
A very common reason why people wake up extra early in the morning is to exercise. It’s not just about being healthy and fit. Exercise helps increase brain function especially when the brain wants to sleep in during the morning.
Also, exercise decreases stress and releases endorphins, the body’s happy hormones. Endorphins trigger positive mood, disposition and energy, which is why people who exercise in the morning tend to be happier and more vibrant. To top it all off, exercising in the morning enhances your metabolism throughout the day too.
Stay In Bed and Cuddle
I really don’t advise that you stay in bed for 30 minutes every single morning just to cuddle, but cuddling once in a while in the morning can really help with your mood. Of course, this is only applicable to people with spouses or partners (cuddling with a stuffed bear doesn’t count, seriously).
The surprising thing is that cuddling can kill depression and relieve you of any anxious feelings. The warmth and closeness to another person is very nurturing. We feel protected, secure and accepted through our partner’s touch and caress. This is an emotional need to be fulfilled and if you start your day with an emotional high, you’ll feel more inspired to be productive.
Do What You Want To Do
People with families struggle to find time for themselves. Usually, by the time they get home, the kids are there and the only thing left to do is rest. On the weekends, the family goes out together or spends time together.
What you mustn’t forget is that you are an individual too, and you need time for yourself. Read your favorite book, write a blog, crochet or cross stitch, clean your collection and etc. Just do something that you’d love to do on your own with zero distractions.
Chow Down a Healthy Breakfast
Waking up 30 minutes earlier gives you time to prepare a healthier breakfast. When you wake up just on time, you’d normally go for ready-to-eat breakfast foods like cereals, breads and drinking from juice boxes. Well, this isn’t totally healthy at all, and when you don’t eat right, your productivity is affected.
The speed of how the brain and body functions are affected by what you eat. You’ll notice that when you eat junk food, your body feels lazy and sluggish. So, prepare a healthy breakfast, one that will give you a consistent flow of energy throughout the day. Squeeze up some fresh fruit juices and add vegetables to your meal. Trust me, you’ll notice a huge difference in a few days.
Smell Fresh, Feel Fresh
In the morning, people feel rushed to shower and take a bath as they don’t want to be late for work. But, do you notice the different feeling when you’re calm and relaxed when bathing? When you’re not rushed, you are able to clean your body better and more so, in a relaxed manner.
When you feel that your body is not clean enough, this makes you feel less confident, thus, less productive. So, wake up earlier in the morning to spend more time on your personal hygiene and leave home feeling confident and comfortable.
Get in Touch with Friends
You’re tied to your work and your family that you barely find time to go out with friends. It’s understandable but it’s not really a good thing. To keep your sanity (as you are a social human being), connect with friends early in the morning. It doesn’t mean that you have to talk to them directly since they might still be sleeping, but take this time to reply to their messages or compose one yourself. Go to your social networking profiles and stay updated.
Talk it Out
If you and your partner lack the time to communicate, take this time to do it. This is the time where both of you are well-rested and have renewed energies. Talk to your partner about anything and everything. Communicate. Make decisions together. Discuss goals, issues and problems. Release any excess baggage you have. Good communication lessens stress and anxiety.
To sum it all up, you need an extra 30 minutes a day to perform activities that will make you feel happier, energetic, inspired, motivated and relaxed. When you start your day feeling all these, you are bound to be more productive and fulfilled. And when you’re happy with what you do, that’s when success will be knocking on your door.
About the Author: Azalea is a passionate writer with years of experience. You can find her at newInternetOrder.com – the central of online business advice for normal people. Visit us to get a nicely-designed blog post blueprint (how to write a blog post) for free with no opt-in. In her spare time, Azalea is interested in action-packed movies and harnessing positive vibes for a well-balanced lifestyle.
Image credit: Sean MacEntee
