What Your Mom Did Not Tell You About Your Morning Routine
How can a morning routine help you?
You have probably heard it before: make your bed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, exercise, take a shower, these are just a few of many morning routine rituals. What you may have not been told is why do we engage in these seemingly futile efforts like making your bed when you are going back to make a mess of it again later. Having a morning routine can be beneficial for your mental health in a number of ways. Here are some reasons why:
Reducing stress: Starting your day with a routine can help you feel more in control of your day and reduce stress. When you have a plan in place, you can focus on completing each task rather than feeling overwhelmed by the day ahead.
Setting the tone for the day: A positive morning routine can set the tone for a positive day. When you start the day with activities that make you feel good, such as exercise or meditation, you are more likely to approach the rest of your day with a positive mindset.
Improved productivity: By establishing a consistent morning routine, you can train your brain to be more focused and productive in the morning. This can help you accomplish more throughout the day.
Enhancing self-care: A morning routine can include activities that promote self-care, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling. By prioritizing self-care in the morning, you can start the day feeling more centered and grounded.
Better sleep: Having a consistent morning routine can also help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, which can improve the quality of your sleep. This, in turn, can help boost your mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Overall, having a morning routine can help you start the day feeling more grounded, focused, and prepared for whatever comes your way. It can also help promote better mental health and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
If this is convincing enough for you to start a morning routine ritual, here are some tips on how to get started: start small, it's important to begin with a routine that is realistic and achievable. Start with just one or two activities that you can comfortably fit into your morning routine, such as drinking a glass of water or stretching for a few minutes.
Plan ahead: Take some time to plan out your morning routine the night before. This can help you stay organized and reduce decision-making in the morning.
Wake up at the same time every day: Try to establish a consistent wake-up time, even on weekends. This can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and make it easier to stick to your morning routine.
Choose activities that you enjoy: Your morning routine should be something that you look forward to, so choose activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good. Some examples might include exercise, meditation, reading, or listening to music.
Hold yourself accountable: Consider telling someone about your morning routine or tracking your progress in a journal or app. This can help hold you accountable and make it easier to stick to your routine.
Be flexible: Remember that life happens, and sometimes it may not be possible to complete your entire morning routine. Be flexible and forgiving with yourself, and know that it's okay to skip or modify your routine when necessary.
Starting a morning routine can take some time and effort, but with consistency and commitment, it can become a habit that provides many benefits for your mental and physical health. Most importantly, don’t beat yourself up when you miss a day. or cut your routine short, just start up again the next day and always congratulate yourself on the effort that you made.
