Getting up and getting started in the morning is often a lot harder than most people are willing to admit. This is why many people struggle with being productive in the early mornings. How can we acquire an Effective Morning Routine?
However, there are some things that you can do to create an effective morning routine. A morning routine won’t only improve your productivity; it is an important method of self-care.
While not all morning routine suggestions work for everyone since are all different, you can follow the general guidelines below.
Fixed sleeping and waking time
Consistency creates routine, and this includes sleeping and waking up at a set time without fail.
Sleeping earlier and waking up on time gives you a restful night sleep and sets your internal clock, called your circadian rhythm, right. A steady, healthy circadian rhythm gives you better quality sleep, which then makes waking up in the morning easier.
Create a plan
Creating a plan on how you want your morning to be is also a very effective way to build a productive morning routine.
Each night, before going to bed, create a plan on what you will do once you get up from bed. You can jot this down on your planner or phone. To break the monotony, try to include something you enjoy as part of your treatment. Perhaps a little yoga or running if you enjoy it, or meditation. This activity boosts your motivation to do other things.
Improve natural lighting in your room
Our body responds to darkness by slowing down its functionality and responds to sunlight by raising alertness.
Often, sunlight alerts your body that it is time to wake up and once this biological process gets going, it can’t be rolled back. This is why, when you wake up with sunlight in your room, then go back to sleep, you wake up feeling a little tired, rather than refreshed.
So, to improve how fast you wake up, let your window allow in as much sunshine as possible so that it jolts your body into action. Conversely, the room should be dark without any artificial light streaming in during the night. Artificial light breaks the circadian rhythm.
Self-affirmation
Self-affirmation is the act of saying positive things out loud to yourself to build your confidence.
It is words such as I am smart, capable and worthy, Today is going to be a great day and so on.
To make the words have an impact, repeat them for as long as a minute after waking up. Also, avoid using ‘will’ when saying it aloud as it makes the event seem like a kind of future goal, rather than a present event.
Morning routines determine what the rest of your day will be like so make it as engaging and fun as possible.
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