In many ways, how you begin each morning will have a significant impact on the remainder of the day. That can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing.
Therefore, consciously building a morning routine that allows you to get up early, intentionally set the tone for the day and boost productivity is critical to your long-term happiness and well-being.
While early mornings can be difficult for some folks, that hurdle can be overcome. So set your alarm clock, pick up some delicious collagen creamer for coffee and get ready to greet the morning sun, because here are six tips for getting up early and establishing a solid morning routine.
Set a Steady Bedtime and Waking Time
No matter what kind of routine you are trying to establish, consistency is the key to success. Therefore, if you want to start waking up early, it is essential to establish a set bedtime and waking time.
This way, you can ensure that you get a full eight hours of restful sleep and reset your circadian rhythm — otherwise known as your internal clock — to go to sleep and wake up at certain times.
Some folks are going to be tempted to lie in bed and scroll through the phone or hit the snooze button in the morning, thereby throwing off their whole routine.
A simple solution for this is to purchase an alarm clock and set it across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn off the noise.
Check Your Phone Later
In many ways, our smartphones and the apps that live on them are designed to hold our attention for as long as possible. If you check your phone first thing in the morning, it will threaten to steal precious time from you.
Therefore, it is critical to avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning and, instead, choose to tend to your routine. If this means that your phone needs to be off in the morning, then shut it down the night before.
Drink Water Before Getting Your Caffeine Fix
Were you aware that every night you lose more than a pound while sleeping? A considerable amount of this weight is lost water from breathing and sweating. While most folks reach for coffee first thing in the morning, it is best to rehydrate yourself with some water before dipping into the caffeine.
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Additionally, drinking water when you first wake up will help to give your metabolism a boost. A great way to ensure that you are hydrated first thing in the morning is to mix some sugar-free electrolyte powder into your water.
Let In Some Sunlight
Sunlight plays a major role in setting our internal clock. Letting the light in first upon waking is a great way to help cement your hours.
However, daylight doesn’t just help you to feel more awake, as it can also boost your mood. There are tons of benefits to sunlight, as it triggers the release of serotonin, provides vitamin D and even helps you get more restful sleep.
On overcast days, be sure to turn on the lights in your home to help you wake up a little easier.
Get Moving
In the morning, your muscles are tight, so a good morning stretch — beyond the one you do in your bed — can be a great way to start feeling more awake and motivated to tackle the day. This is because stretching will help to increase blood flow throughout the body and give you a boost of energy.
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If you want to go the extra mile, doing a full-blown morning exercise is a fantastic way to get your blood flowing, get some sunshine and get your morning off to a productive start.
Remain Consistent
This is the hardest part of establishing a morning routine. While you might feel motivated to get up and get stuff done for that first week, complacency threatens to take hold.
It is important to stay diligent in getting out of bed and completing your morning routine. According to research, it can take anywhere between 18 and 254 days to build a healthy habit.
If you break your routine one morning, don’t be too hard on yourself. Recognize your failure and resolve to get back on track first thing in the morning.
Getting Up and Going in the Morning
Getting up early and having a strong morning routine can be challenging at first. Achieving this aim lies in knowing how to set yourself up for success. Utilize the tips listed above and get yourself ready to have an early and productive morning.
