Are you looking for a way to boost your productivity? If you’re like us, you tried everything to jumpstart your day and get more done. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you like to do, or what goals you hope to accomplish, starting your morning on the right foot is the key to success.
We are going to take a look at several morning habits that will help make you more productive, which can lead to reduced stress and improved happiness. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ plan, but generally, you can fit these habits into your lifestyle in a way that works for you. Our recommendations here are a jumping-off point for people who want to get a little more out of their day but aren’t sure where to start.
Let’s dive in!
Start Your Morning an Hour Early
You’re not going to like this if you’re a night owl, but starting your morning an hour or two early will help you thrive for the rest of the day. There are plenty of reasons why this trick works. The most common reason is that people can get more done when the rest of the world is asleep or just waking up.
If you usually wake up at 7 am, try waking up at 6 am and see the difference for yourself. The extra hour of productivity will help you knock out some chores, read a few chapters in a book, or even answer your work emails early. The mixture of handling goal-oriented tasks while partaking in hobbies you enjoy is bound to add a refreshing change to your mornings.
The point is, early mornings give you time to reflect and get ready for the rest of the day. As you adjust to this new sleep schedule, you’ll find yourself loading your day up early, instead of pushing yourself until almost 9 o clock at night. The result is you’ll feel more accomplished, which will give you the drive to keep getting more things done every day.
Get Your Blood Flowing
Once you get in the habit of waking up early, you should start experimenting with different exercises to get you ready for the day ahead. Research shows that 30 minutes of exercise a day can have a massive impact on our mental state and performance throughout the day.
When we say exercise, we don’t necessarily mean pouring sweat while on the treadmill or lifting weights either, unless that’s your thing! Activities like yoga can help relax your mind while moving your body and getting your blood flowing.
You might not know what kind of exercise will work best for you, and that’s okay. There are plenty of ways you can stay fit that are non-conventional. Experiment with yoga, cardio, weight training, and more to find a workout routine that suits your lifestyle and mindset.
Take Some Quiet Time
We all appreciate some quiet time, right? It turns out that it’s a good idea to take 20 to 30 minutes out of your morning for some time to yourself. Don’t pick up your smartphone, don’t skim the newspaper, just reflect on your accomplishments, challenges, and what you’re thankful for in life.
Writing down one thing a day that you’re thankful for can improve your morale and help you see things more optimistically, even if something terrible happens later that day. You don’t want to wake up and immediately feel stressed. Adding some quiet time to your morning routine can help you mentally get to a good place for the day.
Time with yourself to meditate on where you’re doing well and where you can improve can make you a more productive person. We spend so much time focusing on other people, news stories, and social media that we don’t take time for ourselves. If you want to see a spike in your productivity, take some time each morning to reflect on the various aspects of your life.
Bond with Loved Ones
Last but not least, don’t forget to spend time with your loved ones. It could be your best friend, your significant other, your parents, or anyone that you love dearly. You don’t have to worry about scheduling a time for this type of bonding. Merely asking your significant other what they have planned for the day over breakfast can have a considerable impact.
Similar to the way we neglect ourselves, we often get caught up in other areas of life and don’t bond with our loved ones the way that we should. Stress from work, a continually dinging phone, and just plain exhaustion can stop us from spending as much time as we would like with our family. It’s usually a better idea to try and have these conversations in the morning so that everyone is awake, alert, and feeling good.
When spending time with people we love, there’s a release of endorphins, which help us feel secure and peaceful. Not only are you getting the chance to spend time with those you care about, but you’re also actively improving your mood for the day. As a general rule, when you’re feeling good, you’re able to get more things done.
Conclusion
We all want to live our best lives and overcome stress and fatigue. A great morning routine can help you improve your quality of life and productivity. Experiment with these habits, and don’t be afraid to add your own spin. Everyone has different interests and knows what works best for them. If you strive to do more and actively make changes that promote this mindset, you’ll have no problem doubling your productivity.