avatarKristina Segarra

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your mind.</p><p id="510a">Do gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises. Grab a coffee or try to meditate. Then, take a few moments to think about your day and the goals you want to accomplish. Sitting with your thoughts will help you gain some clarity about how you envision your day will unfold.</p><h1 id="b185">Jumping On a Sugar Roller Coaster</h1><p id="bfc1">Unless you intentionally want to experience a sugar rush, starting your day with empty sugar will do you more harm than good. If you load your body with sugar the first thing in the morning, you’ll experience what’s called a sugar crash later in the day and your mood may fluctuate quickly. That’s because sugar levels peak quickly in the blood and then drop just as quickly.</p><p id="ab81"><a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much">According to the American Heart Association</a>, the average person in America consumes 77g of sugar a day — that’s three times the recommended amount for women. Sugar has a sneaky way of making you consume it, without you realizing it. So if you’re eating in a rush or grabbing meals on the go, you may inadvertently load on sugar.</p><p id="4ea6">Because sugar has a quirky personality, be mindful during what time of the day you consume it. Since breakfast is the<a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/breakfast-lose-weight"> most important meal of the day</a> and sets the stage for the entire day, it’s the worst time to load on sugar.</p><p id="5dbb">And you don’t have to eat a cinnamon bun to get a sugar load. Sugar can come from treats such as sweet cereals, breakfast bars, pancake syrup, or sugary drinks and smoothies. Staying away from sugar completely isn’t realistic, but you can attempt to be more aware of when and how much of it goes into your body.</p><h2 id="a7f3">What to do instead</h2><p id="167a">Since breakfast is your most important meal of the day, start it right. Stay away from empty-calorie sugar indulgencies and reach out for fiber-rich foods. Lo

Options

ading on fiber will help you get a sustained release of energy throughout the day. Choose healthy breakfast options such as whole-grain toast, oatmeal (not quick oatmeal packages loaded with sugar), and low-sugar whole-grain cereals.</p><h1 id="7a31">Being In a Hectic Rush</h1><p id="9df8">Some people wake up and start their day in a hectic frenzy. They rush to get breakfast on the table, tend to their pets, or get the kids out the door. But when you’re in a rush, you forget to focus on yourself. Taking a few minutes of your time to focus on your well-being before you go about your day can make a big difference in how your day will play out.</p><p id="3599"><a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steps-that-will-increase-happiness_l_5fdd12bac5b6e5158fa6feaa">One research study </a>points to the benefits of taking just a few minutes of your time to focus on yourself and your well-being. They’re small actionable steps, but they can help set the tone for your day.</p><h2 id="aec6">What to do instead</h2><ul><li>Open the blinds or curtains in your house to let in natural light</li><li>Open a window for fresh air and ventilation</li><li>Take a moment to meditate or write in a gratitude journal</li><li>Do some mild stretching exercises</li><li>Think about the qualities you admire in a friend or loved one</li></ul><h1 id="8b90">The Bottom Line</h1><p id="cdf7">What you do first thing in the morning will affect your entire day. Avoid the common mistakes people make and you’ll be off to a great day’s start. Even if you’re not a morning person, staying away from these habits will help you increase your energy levels and be more productive throughout the day.</p><h1 id="b6dc">Mind Cafe’s Reset Your Mind: A Free 10-Day Email Course</h1><p id="69dc">We’re offering a free course to all of our new subscribers as a thank you for your continued support. When you sign up using <a href="https://mindcafe.ck.page/fba9da7818"><b>this link</b></a>, we’ll send you tips on how to boost mental clarity and focus every two days.</p></article></body>

3 Habits You Should Avoid in the Morning

Staying away from these habits will help you have a more energetic and productive day.

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

When asked a question, “What’s the first thing people do in the morning,” far too many will say: “I check my phone,” or “I turn on the TV to get the latest news.”

But there’s a better way to start your morning — and it involves not doing either of those things. Establishing a proper morning routine is essential for sustaining energy levels and boosting your productivity. That’s why the habits you engage in the morning will affect your entire day.

Here are 3 habits to avoid to ensure you have a good day’s start.

Tuning In to Technology

Let’s face it: waking up in the morning is tough, waking up to an alarm is even tougher. You’ve just had a full night of restful sleep. You’re full of energy and your mind is free of clutter and informational input. You’re at peace with yourself. Imagine if you could sustain that moment of peace as you start your day?

Many things can disrupt your state of mind, and one of them is tuning in to technology right after you wake up. If the first thing you do is check your phone, check your e-mail, log on to social media, or listen to the news, you’re not letting yourself be with your thoughts. By receiving too much input from the outside world, you’re not tuning in to your inner self.

What to do instead

After you wake up, don’t connect to any technology until you’ve had a few moments with yourself. Tune in to your thoughts and focus on what’s going on in your mind.

Do gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises. Grab a coffee or try to meditate. Then, take a few moments to think about your day and the goals you want to accomplish. Sitting with your thoughts will help you gain some clarity about how you envision your day will unfold.

Jumping On a Sugar Roller Coaster

Unless you intentionally want to experience a sugar rush, starting your day with empty sugar will do you more harm than good. If you load your body with sugar the first thing in the morning, you’ll experience what’s called a sugar crash later in the day and your mood may fluctuate quickly. That’s because sugar levels peak quickly in the blood and then drop just as quickly.

According to the American Heart Association, the average person in America consumes 77g of sugar a day — that’s three times the recommended amount for women. Sugar has a sneaky way of making you consume it, without you realizing it. So if you’re eating in a rush or grabbing meals on the go, you may inadvertently load on sugar.

Because sugar has a quirky personality, be mindful during what time of the day you consume it. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day and sets the stage for the entire day, it’s the worst time to load on sugar.

And you don’t have to eat a cinnamon bun to get a sugar load. Sugar can come from treats such as sweet cereals, breakfast bars, pancake syrup, or sugary drinks and smoothies. Staying away from sugar completely isn’t realistic, but you can attempt to be more aware of when and how much of it goes into your body.

What to do instead

Since breakfast is your most important meal of the day, start it right. Stay away from empty-calorie sugar indulgencies and reach out for fiber-rich foods. Loading on fiber will help you get a sustained release of energy throughout the day. Choose healthy breakfast options such as whole-grain toast, oatmeal (not quick oatmeal packages loaded with sugar), and low-sugar whole-grain cereals.

Being In a Hectic Rush

Some people wake up and start their day in a hectic frenzy. They rush to get breakfast on the table, tend to their pets, or get the kids out the door. But when you’re in a rush, you forget to focus on yourself. Taking a few minutes of your time to focus on your well-being before you go about your day can make a big difference in how your day will play out.

One research study points to the benefits of taking just a few minutes of your time to focus on yourself and your well-being. They’re small actionable steps, but they can help set the tone for your day.

What to do instead

  • Open the blinds or curtains in your house to let in natural light
  • Open a window for fresh air and ventilation
  • Take a moment to meditate or write in a gratitude journal
  • Do some mild stretching exercises
  • Think about the qualities you admire in a friend or loved one

The Bottom Line

What you do first thing in the morning will affect your entire day. Avoid the common mistakes people make and you’ll be off to a great day’s start. Even if you’re not a morning person, staying away from these habits will help you increase your energy levels and be more productive throughout the day.

Mind Cafe’s Reset Your Mind: A Free 10-Day Email Course

We’re offering a free course to all of our new subscribers as a thank you for your continued support. When you sign up using this link, we’ll send you tips on how to boost mental clarity and focus every two days.

Self Improvement
Mindfulness
Productivity
Habits
Morning Routines
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