Morning sets the tone for your day. But let’s face it, crawling out of bed can feel like a daunting task. It doesn’t have to be! There are morning habits that can infuse your day with renewed energy – and put some extra pep in your step.
These habits are simple yet powerful, and they have the potential to transform your mornings into a time of tranquility and productivity. Follow these six morning habits to ground yourself after waking up.
Habit #1 is beautiful in its simplicity.
1. Look.
Go outside. Get some sun. You’ll feel more energetic.
Pay attention. Notice your surroundings. What do you see?
There could be people, plants, animals, buildings, water, vehicles, or any combination of those things.
No matter what you observe, take a moment to appreciate its existence. It is amazing how much we take for granted. Be thankful for the beauty in your backyard.
2. Light candles or incense as your morning habit.
If you’re allergic to smoke or certain aromas, of course, feel free to ignore this point.
Tend to procrastinate? Here’s a habit building hack for you. All you need for this is a candle or incense and a way to light it.
At the beginning of every work day, light your candle (or incense) and immediately complete the first item on your to-do list. It helps when you make this a small task.
In time, your subconscious mind will associate lighting a candle with getting stuff done. Yes, it takes practice, but the result can be powerful when you’re persistent. Stick with it.
3. Exercise early to get energized.
The human body is made for movement – it’s a real, physical need. Therefore, it’s a good idea to find an exercise or physical activity you can enjoy (best) or at least tolerate (worst).
You don’t have to do a complicated fitness routine. Instead, you could simply do a few sets of the sun salutation every morning.
Sun salutations are a well-known sequence of yoga poses from vinyasa yoga, a style that emphasizes flow over achieving perfect poses. Total beginner? Good news. These poses can be modified for any body type or experience level. To learn how, watch this video.
If yoga isn’t your jam, that’s okay. Here are some other options for simple morning habits:
- Water your garden.
- Walk your dog around the block.
- Do pull-ups on a tree in your yard.
- Go to the gym (or buy a pair of dumbbells) and lift weights.
Whatever you end up doing: Run, jump, play, dance and express joy through movement to give you an extra morning boost.
4. Eat a nourishing breakfast.
Your body can’t perform at its full potential without essential vitamins and minerals. That’s why it’s key to have not just breakfast in general (rather than slurping just a cup of joe to go), but to really make the first meal of the day count.
Donuts may taste heavenly, but they are covered in sugar. That sugar rush is nice while it lasts, but you can expect to crash long before lunchtime.
It’s better to eat natural foods that provide sustainable energy. Omelettes are a great option. Feel free to slice up different meats and vegetables every week for a unique variety of tastes.
Eggs contain protein, the building block of muscle. Vegetables are loaded with vitamins that strengthen your immune system. Add fruit and oatmeal for a fulfilling dose of fiber that will satisfy your appetite and keep your digestion in trim. Now you won’t be as tempted to munch on junk food before lunch time.
5. Make a morning habit of listening to music that moves you.
Nothing is more soothing to me personally than the sound of a piano.
It’s like the pianist is expressing, “Everything will be okay,” through his or her fingertips.
What style of music moves you? It might be something completely different. That’s okay.
Be mindful of how music influences your mood and focus. I love heavy metal, but I can’t listen to that when I write. Too distracting. Also, it is hard to type and play air guitar at the same time.
This is true for any music with vocals. My mind needs to concentrate on the words I am writing. Lyrics interfere with that process. This is why I listen to jazz, piano, or symphonies while I work. Experiment with different genres until you figure out which one is most conducive for your mood and the work you do.
6. Meditate to focus on what matters.
Do you waste an hour or more trying to get focused every morning? If so, this tip is for you.
Monkey mind is when your thoughts pile on top of one another in a giant clump that makes no sense.
Meditation will help you find calm in the midst of chaos. It’s not hard. Sit down in a comfortable spot. Shut the door so you won’t be bothered. If you’re in a noisy area, put on some headphones.
You are welcome to meditate with your eyes open or closed. You could close your eyes and focus on the sensation of air flowing through your body. Or you could open your eyes and focus on a mantra, burning candle, or sacred object. It doesn’t matter: Both paths lead to the same place (inner peace).
If you find you simply cannot calm your thoughts, you can try starting out with guided meditation.
Would you add any morning habits to this list?
If so, let me know in a comment. Please share this post with your friends so they can change their morning habits like you. They will definitely appreciate the insights. :)