10 Things You Should Do Every Morning Before 10

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Are you a morning person? Have you noticed that some people bounce into work, smiling, totally prepared for the day while others drag themselves in at the last minute, searching for coffee and a place to hide until lunch time?

What is the difference between these two types of people? Are some people simply better organized or is there something more to it? Are some people just born “morning people”?

Perhaps it’s a bit of both. Some people are taught from an early age to be a bit more organized so that they aren’t rushing in the morning. However, other people know that in order to be a happy person ready to start their day, they need to have a little routine that will make the rest of their day go more smoothly.

Keep reading and find out the top 10 things you should start practicing every morning so that you can be one of those happy, productive, healthy people who walks into the office every morning with a smile.

1. Set Positive Intentions for the Day

Want to have a better day? Start by imagining it! To some extent, our world is created within our own minds, so start thinking about how you want your day to go. Just a minute or two in the morning can make all the difference. Picture yourself driving to work with a minimal amount of traffic, getting to work a few minutes early, having your meeting go your way, a stress free commute home, etc. Imagine that your day will go smoothly and chances are much better that it will.

2. Forgive Past Mistakes

Too often, people continually look back on yesterday’s mistakes or the wrongs done to them by others in the past. When we do this, we lose today. Forgiveness is a gift to ourselves. We can’t change what has happened, but we can learn from it by forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and moving forward so that we do not miss today.

3. Be Grateful

As you get out of bed, remember to be grateful. So many people in the world lack the basic comforts that most of us take for granted: a soft bed, warm, thick blankets, a well-built home with all the amenities, plenty of clean food, water, clothes, and a job. Feel gratitude for everything that you have. It is a great way to start the day.

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4. Take Some Deep Breaths

When we are feeling stressed or frightened, we take shallow, quick breaths. Long, deep breaths tell our body that we are feeling calm and relaxed. Reach your arms over your head and take half a dozen deep breaths so your brain gets a fresh rush of oxygen and your body will feel relaxed and happy.

5. Say Your Affirmations

Keep in mind that your subconscious is listening to everything you say (it also believes everything you say!) so choose an affirmation (you can change it every day if you like) to start your day on a high note. Your affirmation can be anything that you choose, as long as it is a positive statement about yourself. Some examples of affirmations are:

I feel alive and vibrant today.

I feel great and confident that today is my day.

I am a good person and I will do great things today.

I have tons of energy and will accomplish a great deal.

I feel happy and healthy.

6. Look Over Your To Do List

In today’s modern world, we all have tons of things to do, but you can take a the load off by taking two minutes and looking over your to do list. This way you will remember, while you are still at home, that you need to bring a certain file or that you need to sign your child’s school paper or that you have a doctor’s appointment right after lunch. Nothing is more stressful than getting to work, reading your to do list, and then realizing that you left that important paper at home. Stay calm, look over your list, and make any preparations that will make the day go more smoothly for you.

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7. Drink a Glass of Water with Lemon

Rehydrate your body first thing in the morning by consuming a glass of water with lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar). This will get your digestive system moving and detox the body.

8. Take Time for a Healthy Breakfast

No matter how busy you are, take time out to eat a healthy breakfast. Even if you only have 5 minutes, you can whip up a smoothie or scramble a few eggs. You can even start boiling water for oatmeal and then come back to it once it has cooled enough to eat.

9. Set the Alarm Earlier

If you find that you simply don’t have enough time to do everything you wish or if you are continually running 5 or 10 minutes late, then set the alarm 15 minutes earlier. Of course, no one wants to get up any earlier than they have to, but is there anything more annoying and stressful than constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off in order to get “caught up?” You will become used to getting up at your new time very quickly and once you realize how much more productive and smoothly things go all day, you will be glad you did!

10. Get Moving

Just a bit of exercise can do wonders for both your physical and mental well-being. You don’t have to devote an hour at the gym. All you need is 5 minutes of stretching, walking on the treadmill, jumping rope, or simply parking two blocks away and walking to work. You can also try getting off of the bus or subway one stop before you normally do and walk the extra distance. (Assuming it’s not too far, of course!) Just a few minutes in the morning will make a big difference in how you feel all day long.

Old habits die hard and new habits take a minimum of 30 days to form, so be patient when starting a new morning routine. You might find it easier to incorporate just one or two items per month so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

If you don’t believe these little changes will make a difference in your life, try just one of these for 30 days. You will never know unless you try.

References:

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ucsf.edu

Epm.sagepub.com

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