Healthy Ways to Boost Your Morning Routine

Life. It can be stressful and unpredictable, frustrating or overstimulating. Because of this, it's essential that routines are established and practiced on a regular basis. Why? Because routines work. They give everyone at least a little bit of security, normalcy and predictability, all invaluable to overall well-being. However, developing a new routine and sticking with it doesn't just happen overnight, and it can be too easy to get off track. If you could use some inspiration to get your mornings back, keep reading. Here are some great ways to do it.

Take Baby Steps to See Improvements

If you find yourself cowering at the thought of following a routine in the morning, making smaller changes or adjustments to what you're already could be all you need. Don't think of this as a complete overhaul. Making just one change now will get you headed in the right direction. Once that happens, the momentum to make other improvements will build quickly.

Are you always running a few minutes behind, resulting in frustration or excessive stress? Wake up earlier. Even setting your alarm for 15 minutes earlier can make a world of difference and will start your routine off on the right foot. Instead of downing that second cup of coffee, try swapping it out with a less stimulating beverage such as Activated You Morning Complete, to cut down on caffeine and its potential side effects. Skip the donut, sugary cereal or carb-laden bagel and enjoy some avocado toast, yogurt with berries or a hearty bowl of oatmeal. If you can sneak in ten minutes before you hop in the shower, try a body-weight workout to get your blood pumping.

Get in the Zone

When you first wake up, do you allow yourself to adjust slowly, or do you grab your phone and instantly start scrolling? In an ideal world, everyone could wake up slowly and comfortably, but that isn't always reality.

In all fairness, most people don't have the opportunity to have a peaceful and slow start to their days. There are kids to take care of, school drop-offs to make, work deadlines to meet and everything in between. Feeling lost as to what you can do about it? Give yourself five minutes. Instead of checking your phone, leave it on the nightstand. Neatly make your bed. Have a glass of water to rehydrate. Close your eyes and breathe, focusing on the exhale. Strike a yoga pose (or two) to stretch your muscles. Voila — you're in the zone and ready to face the day.

Keep an Open Mind

If someone were to tell you that taking a cold shower is a fantastic way to boost immunity, increase alertness and even burn away fat, would you give it a try? Have you ever sat down and verbalized everything good in your life? Do you believe in the power of the sun to boost and balance your mood?

When added to your morning routine, all of these things (and then some) have the potential to bring it to the next level. While a cold shower might sound terrifying, you'll never know until you try. And if you would feel self-conscious verbalizing your gratitude, grab a pen and paper and let it out that way. If you're someone who tends to linger indoors until much later in the day, try switching things up. Go for a morning walk or have your coffee on your front steps and watch the world wake up.

Don't be afraid to change your perspective or go outside of your comfort zone. That's when some of the best things can happen.

Morning routines are unique in that there is no right or wrong, just what works for the individual. What's important is to know when a routine is or isn't working for you, and what you can do to change it for the better. Have patience and treat yourself well. You deserve it.