Habits for a Productive Day

How you start your day sets the mood for what’s to come.

I used to sleep with my phone on my pillow. The alarm would go off and before my eyes were even completely open, I’d be scrolling like a mad woman, checking emails, my social media, the news.

The rest of my day would follow suit. I’d be high strung, stressed out and scattered.

I’ve come a long way since then. But it took time, practice, some discipline and dedication.

Some changes I’ve made to my morning routine that have significantly changed my entire day:

1. My phone stays in airplane mode in another room and I don’t check it until after I’ve been awake for at least 20 minutes

2. I keep a big glass of water next to my bed and that is the first thing I reach for when I wake

3. As soon as I rise (if I don’t immediately meditate) I go outside and take several deep breaths. If the sun is out, I stand with my face in it for at least 10 minutes

4. I sit and do a guided meditation for at least 5 minutes. Ideally this will happen as soon as I wake up but sometimes it’s a bit later in the morning.

5. I write a list of everything I want to accomplish that day and highlight the 2 must-dos. Those get done first while I have fresh energy.

These new rituals have had a significant influence on my stress levels, productivity and, honestly, my happiness.

Here are some tips on how you can set your morning up support a productive day:

PLAN FOR YOUR DAY THE NIGHT BEFORE.

You have two choices: you can start your morning calm and pre-planned, or you can rush around, not sure what you put in your bag or what your priorities for the day are.

 

MAKE A LIST.

Before you go to bed try writing a list of the top 5 things you need to do the next day. Then pack your lunch, set out and iron your clothes, and prep everything else you need for the day.

This is a great way to make sure you are prepared to get in your daily workout too. Pack your gym bag and keep it by the door, or lay  out your workout clothes so that they are the first things you see when you get up.

 

WAKE UP A LITTLE EARLIER.

If you find it hard to plan out your routine the night before, try waking up a few minutes earlier You will reap a lot of benefits if you wake up just ten minutes earlier and allow yourself a  calm and enjoyable morning instead of a rushed one.  This is also a great time to fit in your mediation. Start by waking up 10 minutes earlier each day, gradually working toward 30 minutes by the end of the month.

 

MAKE YOUR BED.

This has a couple of benefits. First of all, it will keep you from jumping right back in! It will also make you feel productive and motivated for the rest of your day.

 

STRETCH AND SMILE.

Wake up with a stretch and a smile. Stretching wakes up your body and smiling releases endorphins that will make you feel more positive throughout your morning and the rest of your day. If you don’t try to shake that groggy and grumpy feeling first thing in the morning, chances are that those feelings will carry through for the rest of the day.

 

KEEP A GLASS OF WATER NEXT TO YOUR BED.

You’ve likely gone 6-10 hours without water so the best way to give you body a boost of energy is by drinking water as soon as you get up.

 

LET THAT NATURAL LIGHT IN.

Open up your blinds and pushing back your curtains and let all that natural light in! It will make you feel happy and positive. It also sets off chemical reactions that wake your body up. Bonus if you can get outside right away and let the sun shine on your face.

 

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