10 simple morning habits that will make you happy every day
Let me start this article by saying that I am not a morning person. My body seems to be a night owl by nature and I have difficulty waking up early in the morning.
But because I wanted to become a teacher, I had to overcome that. I had to find a way to not only wake up early, but also wake up early AND be happy.
What finally got me to this point was a solid morning routine. You see, daily habits are very useful in times when "the spirit is ready but the body is weak".
They help us stay on track, keep moving forward even when we don’t feel like it. Your morning routine is especially important because it sets the tone for your day. And it’s probably the most stable thing you’ll have because it’s so easy to maintain once you’ve mastered it. Now, habits can be different for each of us. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
The important thing is to find one that creates the tone you want and makes you happy.
So, here are 10 simple morning habits to choose from that can help with that:
1. Wake up early, but not too early
Waking up early can be difficult, especially if you’re a night owl like me. I can say it was the biggest fight I have ever experienced. But it can be said that I have to adapt to the program.
Otherwise I will be late for school forever.
And that won’t help if you’re a teacher! So what I do is set my alarm an hour and a half earlier than the time I’m supposed to be out. This gives me enough time to approach my day at a calm and comfortable pace. Of course, at first it was difficult.
What might help is not making such a big leap right away. You can start setting your alarm 15 to 30 minutes earlier, then gradually increase it as you get more and more used to waking up early.
However, this also means you will have to sleep a little earlier. So, make sure to adjust your bedtime so you don’t miss out on valuable sleep.
2. Hydrate first
Once you get out of bed, your body may need to stay hydrated. Before drinking coffee, drink water first. After all, you’ve just gone several hours without water and coffee is a dehydrating drink.
A tall glass of water is the perfect way to get your system going. (I drank two because...I don’t know, I guess I just needed a little more to really wake me up!) Trust me, coffee may have a reputation as an energy booster, but water in the morning will wake up your brain better.
In addition, it also boosts metabolism and eliminates toxins accumulated during the night.
Additionally, it paves the way for better digestion throughout the day.
So go ahead, have your first glass (or two, if you’re like me) and prepare for a hydrated, happier day.
3. Move a little
I find that this is where you can really set the tone of your day. If you’d prefer something peppy and upbeat, by all means, go for a dance routine or something invigorating.
If you’d rather have it slow and steady, a simple stretching routine or a quick yoga session might be a better fit.
Whichever you choose, know that you’re doing yourself a favor. Not only does exercise, or movement in general, loosen up those kinks and knots in your body, it also releases endorphins.
Those are our happy-making hormones, and who wouldn’t want to have a dose of those so early in the morning?
4. Take a cold shower
Don’t believe me? Here’s what science tells us about the benefits of cold showers:
- Boosts our immune system
- Improves circulation
- Increases metabolism
- Reduces inflammation and prevents
- Relieves localized pain
- Fights symptoms of depression
I repeat: fights symptoms of depression. In short, it’s a mood-booster. A happy-maker!
If you haven’t warmed up to the idea yet (see what I did there?), try easing into it. Start with your regular warm shower, then gradually turn down the temperature for the last 30 seconds to a minute. It was a shock to the system in the best way possible.
5. Eat a nutrient-rich breakfast
Here’s another one I’ve struggled with. As someone who is not a morning person, of course breakfast is something I often skip.
I thought everything would be fine, I could endure until lunchtime. And wait, I will. But it has bad effects on health.
My energy levels were so low that I would eat anything - anything - just to get something in my stomach. Result? Choosing unhealthy foods for lunch.
Now that I wake up earlier, I have time to sit down and eat a healthy breakfast before going out. And it also determines my food choices for the rest of the day.
6. Start with gratitude
If we’re talking about starting your day with a morning routine that makes you happy, I can’t help but mention gratitude.
What are you grateful for? Look around you: what beautiful things do you see? Delighted? You can write these thoughts in a journal (which is what I do) or you can sit quietly and take a moment to appreciate them.
Starting your day with a quick gratitude exercise can change your perspective and make you more excited about your day.
7. Read or listen to something positive
Still on the topic of positivity, think about what you take in your head in the morning. If you’re like me, you probably pick up the phone and find out what people are doing. Or check the news. I hate to say this, but it’s a bad idea.
For what? Because scrolling straight to social media or the news can immediately flood your mind with negativity or stress. Imagine scrolling through your feed and seeing a friend’s political rants while you’re still fast asleep.
Or worse, reading disturbing news. Isn’t that the best way to create a positive mood for your day? I often feel unsteady before getting out of bed. Just as we strive to make wise food choices, we should also be more conscious of what we consume with our minds in mind.
Choose content that nourishes your mind if you want to be happier in the morning. That’s why I now prefer something uplifting or educational.
I usually read a good poem but sometimes I choose to listen to a motivational or inspirational podcast.
Other days I just sit down and do the next thing…
8. Mindfulness and meditation
It’s true: A few extra minutes waking up earlier can give you that freedom. Freely meditate. To observe what is happening around you. To observe how your body feels. Okay.
Maybe this sounds like New Age hype to you, but trust me, even just five minutes of practicing mindfulness/meditation can help you focus and prepare yourself for the day new.
Just five minutes of quiet and you can walk out the door happier. Imagine that…low capital investment but big profits.
9. Plan your day
While you’re comfortable, take a few minutes to plan your day. This can be a detailed to-do list or a simple overview of your key tasks. Planning brings clarity and eliminates the stress of the unknown.
This gives you a roadmap to follow and makes the day much less scary. To add to that, I also like to visualize a bit. For example, I know that my typical day as a teacher can be chaotic.
So I take a moment and imagine teaching the topic of the day to my students – how I would present it, my tone, my gestures, how I would handle interruptions, and all all of those things. It makes me feel confident and responsible, exactly what I need before leaving the house.
10. Connect with loved ones
Finally, why not quickly check in with loved ones before starting the day? It’s a great way to remind yourself that no matter what the day brings, you still have people by your side.
This can be something as simple as text. For me, my mother is my reference, sometimes even my older sister.
We usually just exchange funny or inspirational memes to exchange good mornings and wish each other a good day. And if the day doesn’t go well… well, that’s okay.
Because that’s what the next morning is all about: another chance to have a great day.