Photo by Mathildr Langevin

When it comes to morning routine, we don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s all about experimenting and figuring out what works best for you to transform your morning to a better one. We’ve come up with a list of suggestions and feel free to implement a few to see which ones work best for you! 

1. Don’t Snooze In and Reach For Your Phone First Thing In The Morning

Photo by Malvestida Magazine

Are you one of those people who love setting multiple alarms on your phone? Having an endless row of alarm alerts makes it a lot easier to snooze in. It also makes it easier to dive straight into your emails and scroll through Facebook and Instagram. Stop wasting time on infinite scroll and get out of bed to start your day!

2. Morning Workout Is The Real Deal

If you don’t want to feel groggy throughout the day, try hitting the gym first thing in the morning. Sweating helps prime your body to keep blood sugar level in check, gets endorphins flowing and leaves you feeling great for the rest of the day. 

3. Hungry In The Morning? Don’t Skip Breakfast

Photo by Dani Rendina

When it comes to having breakfast, listen to your body. Eat when you’re hungry and go for something light and healthy. 

If you skip breakfast when you feel hungry, you’re depriving your body the nutrients it needs to function properly for the day. You’ll get more sluggish and overindulge in snacks later during the day. 

In a rush? Take a banana or apple with you. Prepare overnight oats the night before and bring it on the go.

4. Jot Down In Your Gratitude Journal 

Start your day on a positive note by practising gratitude in the morning! 

Reflecting on the top 3-5 things you’re grateful for can help boost your mood and shift your perspective, even when life throws shit in your way. You can write in bullet points and even elaborate them in detail in order to get a better picture of how much there is to be thankful for.

5. Breathe In, Breathe Out

Start off with a simple meditation ritual for 5 minutes, and when you’re comfortable to meditate for longer, extend the session longer to up to 15-20 minutes. 

Sit in an upright, comfortable position, either on a chair, sofa or even a cushion on the floor. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Breathe in for 3 full seconds, hold it in and then breathe out for 6 seconds. Repeat this for 5 minutes.

We also love apps such as Insight Timer, where you can find free guided meditations and soothing music offered by different mindfulness practitioners.

6. Affirmations and Visualisation 

Photo by Arnel Hasanovic

Hal Elrod mentions doing affirmations and visualising your personal goals, project or dreams on a constant basis help you stay motivated and make it more likely for you to achieve them. 

The rule of thumb is to visualize things you’d like to do, achieve and feel, as if they’re already happening in your life.

The more you recite your affirmations and visualize them regularly, the easier it is for you to achieve their goals because your brain ALREADY BELIEVES in them.

7. Spend 15 Minutes Doing What You Love 

Are you a bookworm? Pick up your book and spend 15 minutes reading without interruption (cough* put your phone away!). If you like to scribble or doodle, pick up a notebook, and put down whatever that inspires you. Our brain is most active just after waking, and so is our creativity. Get your creative juices flowing, and you might stumble upon a bunch of cool ideas for your next project!