Being a college student with morning classes, I have come to find that having a morning routine is extremely important for ensuring that I get the most out of my day. Some people can just roll out of bed before class and manage to have a great day, but I am definitely not one of those people. Without fully waking up and already have eaten breakfast before class, I feel like a zombie just counting the minutes until class is over. Below I have included the 5 most important steps in my morning routine that never fail to improve the rest of my day.
- Drink Water
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Drinking water right when I wake up in the morning always makes me feel refreshed and ready to begin my day. I like to keep a full glass of water on my bedside table at night, so I can drink it right when I wake up. Sometimes I will add some fresh lemon or lime juice, which is a great natural detox that jumpstarts your digestive system!
- Breathwork
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Meditation and breathwork can be extremely useful for clearing the mind and bringing yourself into the right mindset for a productive day. I find that on days where I allow for myself even just 5 minutes of breathwork I have an optimistic outlook for the rest of the day.
Here are a couple of guided meditations that might be helpful for your morning routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inpok4MKVLM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrO919LF2PU&t=4s
- Get Moving
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Since I have a dog, I am forced to take a 10-15 minute walk outside every morning. Although the cold weather is daunting some mornings, the movement and fresh air never fail to make me feel alive and grateful to be awake. I definitely recommend an outdoor walk to wake you up, but even just some easy stretches in your bedroom can be enough to get your blood moving.
- Skincare
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It’s ideal to start your day with your best face forward which is why skincare is my favorite step in my morning routine. If you’re running low on time, just washing your face and using a moisturizer is better than doing nothing.
Here are some of my favorite morning skincare products at the moment:
Face wash: Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser https://juicebeauty.com/products/blemish-clearing-cleanser
Moisturizer: 100% Pure Jojoba Oil https://www.amazon.com/USDA-Organic-Jojoba-Oil-Unrefined
Facial Spray: Green Tea and Aloe Spray from Mario Badescu
Here’s a deal to try all 3 of their sprays for only $21 https://www.ulta.com/spritz-mist-glow-set
SPF: Juice Beauty Moisturizer or Derma-E Essentials Powder
Depending on how dry my skin is that day, I might use an extra moisturizer, or just use a powder SPF https://juicebeauty.com/products/spf-30-oil-free-moisturizer https://dermae.com/products/sun-protection-mineral-powder-spf-30
- Eat Fruit
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Breakfast is a great time to get your first serving of fruit for the day. Fruit is very versatile and it can be great if you’re in a rush for class. Some of my favorite fruity breakfasts include apples and peanut butter, coconut-milk yogurt parfaits with berries and granola, and smoothies.
Whether it’s at the crack of dawn or past noon, a morning routine is essential in creating a positive mindset for a productive day. I hope this article might inspire you to take some extra time for your mental health each morning. Thanks for reading! :)