Setting the right tone for your mornings makes a world of a difference when it comes to the outcome of the rest of your day. A quote I like to live by is “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Going into your day with a positive mindset from the moment you wake up will improve your attitude immensely in the way you go about things each day. You’ll thank your future self for little things like not snoozing your countless alarms and giving yourself enough time to get ready. Take it from someone who used to wake up at the last possible minute and scramble to get out the door.
Here are some tips to having an intentional morning that have helped me and that I hope will help you too! P.S. I was never a morning person until I finally started implementing these habits into my daily routine (getting 7-8 hours of sleep definitely helps too!).
1. Stop snoozing!
Sleeping in a little longer may sound tempting, but I like to give myself two hours before I actually need to be out the door (or on a Zoom call) so that I don’t have to feel rushed. Once you determine how much of that time it takes you to get ready, you can dedicate the rest of your morning to doing whatever it is you value. Some things I enjoy are journaling, yoga, and reading, just to name a few.
2. Make a to-do list the night before.
3. Have a routine you follow as soon as you open your eyes in the morning.
Find what works for you and gets you moving! If the first thing you do every day is make your bed or hop into the shower, for example, you’ll have a much easier time following the same routine you’ve created for yourself even when you’re half asleep.
4. Make breakfast!
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and it often gets overlooked, but it’s important to prioritize fueling your body so that you have enough energy to accomplish everything you want for the day. That starts by making more than just a cup of coffee!
5. Get inspired!
Listen to some upbeat music, a podcast, or a TED talk — whatever it is that motivates you. This especially helps to limit social media use in the morning because it leaves you already occupied with something that actually makes you feel good.