Someone once told me that the advantage that you gain at the beginning of a race is hard to lose and, therefore important for the outcome. And if we apply this same logic to our days, the way we see the morning might increase its relevance. And well, yes, the beginning of your day is important, not only the early hours of a day but the first ones when you are awake.
But, why is it important to structurize and ritualize those first waking moments? The simple answer might be that structure gives you a grounding feeling, even though we both know there’s more to it. Don’t worry, we’ll get there.
Now, think about this, that friend who wakes up ten minutes before the meeting, has coffee for breakfast and is always running from place to place. How long do you think they can keep up that lifestyle without having a breakdown or burning out? The answer is not much. Making your lifestyle sustainable and enjoyable is what will guarantee you a long and happy career. And it all starts from the moment you open your eyes…
What are its benefits?
Let’s be real here, life and the world are uncertain, and no one knows what they might face during the day… and that alone can be a stressful thought. We like the feeling that although we don’t know what may come, we have some sort of control over our lives, which is partially true, but not as much as we would want it to be. That’s why having some structure is very important.
It gives us an illusion of control that lowers our stress levels. It’s calming to think that you know what will happen and what you will do when you wake up, It releases some of the pressure and with a routine tailored to your needs, it will also set you up for having a good, healthy, and productive day.
Aside from what was said before, having a morning routine also has some more tangible benefits, like for your health. Having a consistent sleeping schedule, where you go to bed and wake up around the same time every day can make miracles for the quality of your sleep.
This is vital when you have a busy schedule because it will help you rest during those sleeping hours. We all know the feeling of having woken up as tired as we went to bed, and that is not sustainable on a regular basis.
Now, when you add a bit of planning to your mornings, you can make space for some healthier habits. These could be having a bit more time to prepare a good healthy breakfast, working out, meditating, or whatever works best for you. The goal is to make it a regular thing to take care of yourself and start the day fresh and happy rather than stressed out. Which will lead you to a lifestyle that you can endure and will allow you to keep on the good work for a long time.
Some things you should include in your morning routine
Some people think that an effective morning routine should be a two-hour-long ritual that starts every day at 4 a.m. and includes an extensive workout session, which is totally untrue. Everyone has different needs and goals, and those are some things to take into consideration when you are designing your mornings.
You are the only one who truly knows what works for you, so make it your own. Here are some things that might be beneficial with some options to choose from…
Try to get moving, something as simple as taking a couple of minutes to stretch your body can be life-changing, by helping you avoid physical pain from a weird sleeping position or having to spend the day seated at your desk. Some people like to work out in the mornings or go for a good run, some others prefer investing a few minutes into doing yoga. It all depends on what you need, but as people say, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.
You don’t have to run a marathon every morning, starting small is a way to start. It won’t be easy at first if you are not used to it, but it will surely pay off in the long run.
Leave some time to reflect on yourself as well as the world around you. How? Simple. To promote some self-reflection, you could write down your thoughts, and do some journaling. Some others prefer to start the day by writing down three to five things they are grateful for, which is a great way to reflect on your life positively.
To reflect on the world, reading is an amazing tool. Even though most people say you should read something business-related, I believe that in this space, you should read whatever gives you the chance to think about the world around you and leaves you with a fulfilling sensation. You could read a self-help book, or poetry if that is what feeds your soul, but let yourself have an intake of the written knowledge in those early moments of the day.
And whatever you do, don’t leave out the opportunity to unplug. Don’t reach for your phone first thing in the morning, give yourself time to be out of the web.
Meditation, mindfulness, and even yoga are good practices to try and keep yourself in the present moment. If you prefer to go for a walk and enjoy nature, that’s valid too. But enjoy the presence, the existence, before going into the loop of unending notifications.
Last but not least, be healthy. If you need to wake up a couple of minutes earlier to have a decent breakfast, then do it. You can save time by choosing what to eat the night before and making sure that everything to prepare is ready to be used and nearby. Hydrate, when you wake up you haven’t drunk any water in at least 7 to 8 hours, so keep that in mind first thing in the morning.
Making your everyday life something that you can actually do every day is the best investment of time and energy you can make. Something like taking the time to be consistent and take care of yourself should be our top priority. Having a morning routine that is a safe space for you to breathe and grow will prepare you for the day ahead, to face it with the best possible attitude and with a clear mind. So, what are you waiting to stop hitting the snooze button and design your ideal morning?
