The Morning Habits That Set Me Up for Success Every Day

Better morning habits can lead the way to a better day

First, don’t hit the snooze button.

Yes, I am starting there! And yes, I know we’ve all done it.

The quality of sleep you get when you keep hitting the snooze button is not good, so go ahead and get up because sleeping longer with the snooze isn’t doing you any good. It disrupts your circadian rhythm.

If you wake at the same time-ish every day, you’ll be at the end of your REM sleep cycle around the time of your first alarm. Snoozing your alarm lets you go back into that REM stage. Then, when your alarm sounds the next time, you’re still in the middle of the REM stage you returned to. That can leave you feeling tired and groggy.

Once you turn your alarm off (instead of snoozing), try the 5-Second Rule by Mel Robbins — count backwards: 5–4–3–2–1 and blast off out of bed! Somehow that countdown really helps. I do it quite often for getting out of bed and anything else that I might procrastinate on.

Hydrate first thing after getting up with water.

Do this after tongue scraping if you practice that. I just use the back of a spoon — no special scraper required.

Hydrating first thing is refreshing and will help you get your daily water goals in if you start first thing in the morning.

Movement for energy!

I like to do some cardio in the mornings in the form of a jog outdoors (as long as it is 17 degrees or warmer). If it is too cold or rainy, I have an indoor bike treadmill, and Bodi workouts I can do.

I tend to have more energy throughout the day if I get morning cardio in. Give it a try and see if your energy increases as a result.

Taking some time to journal is an amazing way to start the day!

I don’t journal with a focus, I just let whatever is on my mind flow onto the paper. This is what Julia Cameron calls “Morning Pages”.

Read more on that here:

Meditation can be transformative.

After my dad died I started a meditation practice. I never knew how badly I needed it until the moment of my first meditation — tears rolled.

I’ve never looked back. I meditate almost every day.

Please don’t stress the meditation thing — you don’t have to sit there for 20 minutes trying not to think of anything. I use Insight Timer for short guided meditations. It’s free and an easy way to ease into meditation.

I have a friend who specialized in breathwork meditation with a tool she created calls ‘Breathbeads’. You can see what her meditation practice is all about here.

Give yourself the gift of a little extra time.

I don’t think anyone loves to rush around in the morning to get out the door in time for work.

It’s a recipe to literally start your day with stress.

Another reason I wake at 4:50 AM. To be honest — I love it! I have hours for me in the mornings.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine sitting back with your feet up with a hot cup of coffee or tea keeping you company while the rest of the house is still sleeping. Can you feel the peace and calm?

Starting your day that way may help you deal with stressful situations with more calm and ease.

Those are my best tips for starting your day off right — but what works for me might not work for you. Find the morning routine that fits your life and makes you feel healthy and happy.

Some more reading:

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