Start Your Day Off With the Right Morning Routine
No one wants to start their day off on the wrong foot. But, unfortunately, too many people feel overwhelmed, rushed and stressed in the morning. Does this sound familiar? If you can relate, it's time to establish a morning routine that will prepare you for the day ahead.
You may feel like you don't have enough time to establish a healthy morning routine, but the benefits are hard to ignore. Studies have shown that the right morning routine can alleviate symptoms of bipolar disorder, ADHD, insomnia and anxiety. Sticking to a routine in the morning can also help you be more productive, increase your energy, relieve stress and improve your mood for the rest of the day.
Everyone is different, so a morning routine that works well for someone else may not work for you. Follow these tips to find the right morning routine for your lifestyle:
Consider time constraints
Figure out how much time you have to devote to a routine on a typical morning — don't set yourself up for failure with a routine that simply won't work with your time constraints.
You may not have as much time as you want, but that's perfectly fine. A spare 10 to 20 every morning can make a big difference in your day. It's not about how much time you have, but how you spend it.
Eliminate as many decisions as possible
Making decisions, even minor ones, requires a lot of mental energy . It's even harder to make decisions in the morning when your brain is still trying to transition from being asleep to awake.
Save your mental energy for later in the day by reducing the number of decisions you have to make in the morning:
- Don't stock your pantry full of different breakfast foods. Instead, choose a few go-to recipes and foods. You can even make breakfast the night before .
- Lay your clothes the night before. Don't forget your gym clothes if you'll be doing a morning workout.
In essence, get rid of as many of these mundane decisions as possible to set yourself up for success.
Define your goals
It's important to figure out what you want to achieve with your morning routine. Some people want a morning routine that will boost their energy, whereas someone else wants a routine to help manage stress and anxiety.
You can't establish an effective morning routine if you aren't sure what goal you are trying to reach. Take the time to define your goals, then focus on what you need to do every morning to achieve them .
Assess and adjust your routine
It may take some trial and error to find a morning routine that's right for you, so start with small changes to your routine. After a few days, think about how the changes have affected your mood, productivity, stress levels and overall happiness. If something isn't working, there's no harm in adjusting. Keep tweaking your routine until you discover what works for you.
The caring therapists at Foundations Counseling can help you and your family overcome life's greatest challenges. Contact us today!
