Ten Morning Habits To Start Your Day Off Right

Regardless of whether you are morning person or a night person, it is essential to have good habits in the first few hours of your day. This will help you set yourself up for success and help you feel more prepared for whatever you have to handle that day. The habits you have in the morning can make or break the rest of your day. Everyone approaches their mornings differently because no two people are the same. And if you try to copy someone else's morning routine exactly, you may not be as successful because it's not true to you.

So these are some habits that you can build and alter in a way that fits your needs. These habits are things you can work on to build the routine that does set you up for your success and help you have a better day. Choose the habits that speak the most to you and use them to create a routine that helps you get excited about getting up everyday and taking on whatever is in store for you.

1. Start your day with a grateful heart.

If you start your day struggling to get out of bed and go to work, school, or anything else you have going on, you won't be as excited to get things done and be productive the rest of the day. So take some time in the morning before you really get started to list the things you are most thankful for that day. And remember to be grateful for things that you don't always want to do, like going to work. It's a blessing to have a job that you get to do even if it's not always the most fun.

2. Eat breakfast.

Never skimp out on breakfast if you want to have a good day. There are so many amazing benefits of having breakfast everyday. It nourishes your body and gives you healthy and safe energy to start your day. It fills you up so you are less likely to hit the vending machines as often during the day. And, who doesn't love breakfast? With so many options it is too good to pass up. It gives you something to look forward to so you have something to get up early for everyday.

3. Connect with yourself.

Whether you choose to meditate, journal, pray, or do yoga, find some way in the first couple of hours you are awake to put everything away and just have some time to connect. Write out your thoughts, take some time to just be still, or spend some time in prayer. This is a great way to center yourself and be more calm about starting the rest of your day. It provides some time of peace before the chaos hits.

4. Exercise.

You could take a couple of laps around the block, do a workout at home, hit the gym, or do some simple stretches. Whatever you choose to do can help loosen you up, get your blood flowing, and really help wake you up. It's a great way to burn some calories also. And if you get your work out in early in the morning, you don't have to worry about it for the rest of the day. Exercising can also help you feel more positive and upbeat.

5. Plan your day.

Write out a list of all the things you need to do that day. Take some time to get on Google Calendar and apply times to all of those things. Fill in any remaining spots with things you want to do. Don't forget to leave some blank spots open though because you can't plan for everything. But planning helps you at least prepare for the things you know are going to happen and gives you an idea of what you have to do. You feel more prepared and ready to start your day.

6. Don't check your phone the first hour.

I genuinely believe that the first hour of your day should be about you. From the time you spend connecting with yourself, planning your day, and exercising, it's important to leave others out of it. That time should be about doing things that help you start your day on your own terms. It allows you to have your own thoughts and do your own things before everyone else starts bombarding you with theirs. So try to keep the technology off and away for the first hour while you prepare for the day on your own.

7. Hydrate.

One of the first things you should do in the morning is enjoy a nice glass of water. It's a great way to wake your body up and give it some refreshing after all night of not having anything food or drink. Your body will thank you later. Add some lemon to add some flavor and to help your digestive and immune systems. Continue drinking water throughout the morning and you are more likely to keep drinking it the rest of the day.

8. Make your bed.

I used to be one of those people who didn't think there was really a point in making my bed because I was just going to get back into it at the end of the day and mess it all up again. However, a few years ago I heard someone say that making your bed is one of the best ways to start your day because it's something small, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment. It creates a domino effect that helps you keep being productive. It also just looks nicer which is never a bad thing.

9. Get yourself ready for the day.

Put on clean clothes, wash your face, brush your teeth, do your hair, and do whatever else getting ready means for you. Take the time to get ready not necessarily for other people, but for you. It's a great way to build confidence and know that you are ready to take on whatever the day throws you. Anything that helps you feel more prepared to conquer the world is worth doing for yourself.

10. Don't hit snooze.

It's not an easy thing to do and it's something that I still struggle with. However, I wanted to include it on this list because I know the significance of not hitting snooze and giving yourself enough time to get ready in the morning. I don't like rushing and feeling like I didn't have enough time to start my day on my terms. So I am always working on not hitting snooze and getting up so I know I have enough time to do all the habits that mean something to me.

No matter whether you really enjoy getting up in the morning or you find yourself struggling to wake up every morning, having good and healthy habits can help you start your day off on the right foot and keep it going that way. It helps you have some control over how your day begins and how you feel going into it. So hopefully these ideas help you create habits and a morning routine that means something to you and that fits your needs.