Rise & Shine

Imagine this: Your alarm rings exactly like a fire alarm at 6 in the morning and the biggest question is staring at you – snooze and stay in bed for a few more minutes or wake up and act like an adult. As it is with most of us, the snooze button seems to have the upper hand most of the time. But what if I told you what would be the difference between dragging yourself through the day like a zombie and walking through just five cups of coffee (with no side effect)?

Morning, my friend, it is like the ace in the hole with which no one ever lets you in on. Some are the perfect way to start your day and others have you running around with crazy tail until noon. A good morning schedule isn’t just about getting out of the house; It prepares for a productive day, success, growth and all the fun stuff that comes with growth if that is your thing. Come find out how starting your day the right way transforms you into your very own superhero of the day and no need for capes.

Science Behind Mornings

Alright, so let’s move to the next body aspect, namely the circadian rhythm of a human body. Consider it as your body clock that has been operating the whole process, even from your prenatal period. This useful system regulates your wake-sleep schedule, and you know what? Why it feels like you are a night person sometimes or why a morning feels like being tasked to climb Mount Everest. Think of your circadian rhythm as that friend that reminds you when it’s ‘bedtime’ and when it’s time to seize the day. In the morning your body wakes up on its own, and if for some reason you decide to do the opposite and ignore it (yes, I’m looking at you snooze button) you can then use this natural boost of energy to help get you started on the day.

However, before you roll your eyes thinking that I am joking on asking you wake early in the morning, then let me explain. Research shows that early birds can work longer hours and generate higher quality work because, well, they are superheroes, right? But data reveal a far more unruffled truth: early birds are indeed better at what they do because they do what they are best at when they are best at it. When you wake up early, the brain is fresh, there are no interruptions, and you have this tiny opportunity where you’re in your best cognitive state. What it is, is your brain telling you ‘I am capable of excelling’. Second of all, it has this sneaky perk for the remaining part of the day – you are ready to work while the rest are still waking up. So, early morning? They’re not only for birds, but those are also for whoever wants a leg-up a day!

Crafting a Morning Routine

Well, let’s be pragmatic, consistent is not the most enchanting word one could ever use, but when it comes to morning, it's your ally. Think of it this way: Don’t you ever wonder why your phone’s battery lasts longer if you have charged it than when you have not charged it for several hours? Your morning works in the same way. A routine working ensures that as you gain momentum you are able to create an environment that shapes the productivity of the rest of the day. It is as if it is constructing the grounds for a building, if not done the structure begins to sway. That’s why instead of relying on coffee to wake you up, try to rely on a routine that wakes you up and makes you be as focused as a clock.

Ingredients of a powerful morning routine:

·        Wake up early: Admit it, waking up early is like trying to remove your body from the middle of a quicksand. But here's the thing - waking up early gives you this magical gift: time. Consider waking up knowing you do not have to do everything in twenty minutes in the hope of you may just get away with it. You get to wake up at what you want and even take time to retreat to your cave without the annoyance of having your inbox hound you for attention regularly.

·        Exercise: Now, I know what you’re thinking – morning exercise? Before coffee? Sounds like torture. But hear me out. Exercising in the morning is like a system reboot; it’s an excellent way of jumping start your day. It does that to you, opens your eyes, warms your blood then in no time at all, before nine in the morning you will find that you have filled yourself with more beans than you could ever have imagined. But it also enables you to cross “exercise” off your list of things to do before the day even begins. It's a win!

·        Healthy Breakfast: Just try to imagine what if your car starts the day with an empty tank, how far do you think you'll get?  Similarly, what do you get when you wake up in the morning with no juice?” A healthy breakfast is your energy. We're not talking about sugary cereal that crashes you an hour later—we're talking about the good stuff: meat of some sort, grainy product, even parts of a fruit if you so desire sous chefs. Having a good breakfast can help one prepare for any demand of the day, be it completing tasks at work, or trying to figure out how to be an adult.

·        Mindfulness/Reflection: Spend a little time for you before you are swallowed up by the business of the day. Even if it’s only for five minutes of meditating, writing or just, simply being still, it’s time to establish the mood of the day. Everyone should have a morning meeting with yourself, just to have a little check in, set the tone and know that you got this. Besides, it helps to prevent that moment when you realize you are being carried away in the stream of the day without having time to reflect.

·        Day Plan: You don’t venture on a road trip without map (or at least a GPS), do you? The same goes for your day. Take 5 to 10 minutes every morning to decide on what’s has to be done. Organize your day, set some objectives and have a plan of action on what to do. Then you’re not simply responding to events – you are very much in control of your day, charting your way towards the positive. Unfortunately, this is where the beauty of punishment for future success turns into punishment for present foolishness. Of course, you will believe me when in the future – you thank you for this!

With these elements, creating a morning routine, you start your day not only right but also prepare to win the day.

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