Morning routines are not one size fits all. What works for some creatives simply won’t work for others. But running a business means you need to find a morning routine that helps you feel happy, creative, and productive throughout the day. Having a helpful and efficient morning routine doesn’t need to be time consuming and complicated. Just adding the following four activities to your morning routine can have huge benefits.
1. Drink Water.
Drinking water first thing in the morning re-hydrates you from the overnight fast you experience while sleeping . When you drink water on an empty stomach it helps purify your colon and makes it easier to absorb nutrients. It also boosts your metabolism, flushes out toxins, and improves brain function so drink up!
2. Eat breakfast.
You’ve heard time and time again that it is the most important meal of the day and that is because it’s true. Eating a healthy breakfast (especially one high in protein and fiber) gives you energy and helps you make healthier decisions throughout the rest of your day. Ever feel like your mind is cloudy in the morning? Eating breakfast restores your glucose levels which are essential for the brain to function properly. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast also have an easier time maintaining their weight.
3. Stretch.
Anytime that you lay mostly still for six to eight hours, you are going to be a little stiff afterwards. Just five to ten minutes of stretching in the morning can help ease your sore joints and muscles. Improved posture and blood flow are also benefits of early morning stretching. If you want to increase your focus and sharpen your senses then adequate blood flow is important. Stretching in the AM can also fight lethargy and provide you with more energy. Master a few yoga poses and make them a part of your morning routine.
4. Give gratitude.
Many of us wake up at the last possible minute, drag ourselves out of bed, and reluctantly get ready to work. Why not wake up five minutes early and take a few quiet moments in the morning to focus on what you are grateful for. Remembering all of the wonderful people, ideas, places, and things in your life first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to feel more thankful throughout the entire day.
