Are you hitting the snooze button every morning and dragging yourself out of bed only to head directly into a dreadful workday? You’re searching for the energy but it won’t be found. Many have been there one time or another. Some people more frequently than others.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that self-control is directly linked to energy levels in your body. Self-control works like a muscle in your body. It can wear out especially when your energy is low. Energy requires supply or a recharge. Low energy levels can cause you to feel tired or lethargic, and impact your productivity.
That’s why it’s important to start your day off right. While it’s said that you can always finish strong, your morning can affect your productivity for the rest of the day.
However, if you’re tired of attempting to grind it out and want a productive day, here’s some good news for you! Listed below are some habits that you can incorporate in your morning routine that will help you gain control of your mind and body.
Start the night before
The reason why your body resists getting up in the morning is that it’s tired. The lack of rest already puts you behind schedule the next day.
Before you sleep, take a couple of minutes to write down all of the tasks you have to do the next day. Note the top three tasks that you want to accomplish the next day and prepare materials or clothing that you need for any planned activities. This could include materials for meetings or clothing for exercising.
When you prepare your next day’s activities beforehand, it not only simplifies your morning, it also helps in relaxing your mind and body.
Prepare yourself for bed-time. Leave that coffee for the next day, put away all your devices and change into your comfortable pajamas. This will help your mind produce melatonin, a chemical that’s closely associated with sleep and rest.
Self-Reflect
We can easily lose track of our long-term goals in life when we’re on a daily grind. Stop for a bit and reflect on yourself.
Think about your personal goals and what it is that you want to achieve over the next couple of years. If you feel like you haven’t gotten any closer to your goals in a long time, make sure your goals are defined according to the SMART goal framework.
Consider specific steps, what you can do differently, and how you can progress towards those goals.
Exercise to energize yourself
When you have had enough rest, you’ll automatically find yourself up early in the morning. This way, you will have time to spare for yourself.
Exercising is a great way to treat yourself, especially in the morning when the air is fresh. Even stretching out as little as ten minutes in the morning helps increase your blood circulation, preparing your mind and body for the day that’s ahead.
Exercise not only keeps you fit but also boosts your mental and physical stamina, motivating you and keeping you productive throughout the day. Moreover, exercise has been known to increase serotonin levels, which can directly affect a person’s mood. The more you exercise, the better your mood is throughout the day.
Fuel yourself
Imagine an electronic device with a worn-out battery but you keep pushing it to work. That’s your body without breakfast.
If you want your mind and body to be fully charged, eat a nutritious breakfast. A healthy breakfast with lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats not only gives you the energy to work but also increases your concentration span and short-term memory.
Additionally, it maintains blood sugar levels and helps you feel less hungry throughout the day.
Keep the routine
There might be some bumps and lapses when you’re attempting to establish a routine. Sometimes you might feel tired, cranky, and unmotivated to carry on with the morning routine, but don’t let that carry you away.
Work on developing the discipline to turn this into a consistent routine. Try to keep a similar routine on the weekends so that it won’t seem like such a big effort to get back into gear for the weekdays.
Staying consistent is the best way to develop self-control. Consistency and keeping up with the good habits that you have formed will greatly help you in staying productive not only throughout your day but also throughout your life.
Plus, a good morning routine puts you in the right frame of mind and sets the tone for the entire day.
To sum it all up
It’s not the macro, long-term goals that directly make your days productive. They don’t directly contribute to the execution that occurs in the immediate, short-term daily grind. It’s the small positive habits that allow you to achieve those goals, and following a morning routine has proven to be one of the most efficient ones.
Understand the importance of morning hours and their effects on your day. These habits will boost your energy levels and willpower so you can experience a much more productive day ahead. Start tomorrow and witness the most productive days of your life!
