Most successful people do certain simple things which we usually consider unimportant. They are go-getters who start the day before their peers and competitors and have enough time for themselves too. Studies have shown that we are most productive in the morning. Biologist Christoph Randler surveyed 367 university students, asking what time of day they were most energetic and how willing and able they were to take action to change a situation to their advantage. Most morning people stated that they felt in charge of making things happen while they woke up in the morning.
Benjamin Franklin is popularly credited for the quote:
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
Successful people consciously develop an effective morning routine which helps them systematise and improve their lifestyle. They get ready to feel energised, motivated and totally on top of the game before 8 AM.
Here are the top eight things you can do to set yourself up for success in the morning:
1. Have at least 7 hours of sleep before you wake up:
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) conducted surveys revealing that at least 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders. Not only that: 60 percent of adults, and 69 percent of children, experience one or more sleep problems a few nights or more during a week.
A healthy number of hours of sleep helps in increasing memory, therefore, avoiding absent-mindedness
2. Wake up your body by doing something more than opening your eyes:
Just like your mind, the body also needs to wake up. Make your body move by doing some physical exercise. Even a 15-minutes quick bedside set of pushups or stretching will help your body wake up and prepare for the day.
Any physical exercise to the body introduces the flow of dopamine which increases your confidence making you more productive
3. Meditate to reset your mind:
Meditation does not always have to be done by sitting on the floor and chanting for hours. It is a process of relaxing and resetting your mind. You can have some quiet time of mindful breathing to relax your mind. Focus on inhaling for four counts and exhaling for four counts it will help your mind settle and your body will release all the panic about the day ahead.
Meditation is meant to reset the mind and create space for fresh and clear ideas and creative thoughts later during the day
4. Have a cold water shower
Cold water immersion activates the body’s natural healing powers that can relieve the symptoms of many medical conditions and promote a sense of health and well-being. Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline and to increase the synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well.
A 2007 research study found that taking cold showers routinely can help treat depression symptoms, often more effectively than prescription medications
5. Eat something and hydrate your body
Donald Layman, professor emeritus of nutrition at the University of Illinois, recommends consuming at least 30 grams of protein for breakfast. A healthy breakfast gives you energy, improves your short-term memory, and helps you to concentrate more intensely and for longer periods. Eating and hydrating within the first hour of waking up is a great way to set up your body and mind for success.
A nourished, hydrated physical self will be less stressed, less tense and more focused throughout the day
6. Visualise and schedule your day in advance
Every morning is a good time to schedule the goals and activities to be done throughout the day. Mornings are the best time to reflect on your priorities and plan without being interrupted. You can visualise or write out the to-do list as per your convenience.
Consider your must do’s, where you need to be, how you’ll get there, and who you plan to speak with that day
7. Tackle the difficult tasks first
The best way to organise your day will be to schedule the boring and difficult tasks first on the list. Finish such tough tasks before they stress you by the end of the day. Generally, people have higher energy in the morning when the body has got enough rest. You will be more alert to handle difficult tasks during the morning.
By successfully handling the difficult tasks you will boost your confidence for the other activities scheduled for the day
8. Practice something like it’s a ritual
Keep at least one activity which interests you in the to-do list before 8 AM. Keeping something consistent and predictable to look forward to in the morning helps in calming the mind. Starting your day with a hobby, spending time with the family etc will introduce the artistic neurones at the beginning of the day which will be useful throughout the day.
Knowing that there is something of your interest to look forward to will make you get out of the bed and have an I-have-to-do-this mindset
Having a successful morning routine is essential.
Having and maintaining as set routine is a very important part of taking care of your mental health and your productivity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent shut down. If you’re looking for more resources with respect to taking care of your emotional wellness in these uncertain times, visit A Better You Project and bookmark the page.