Your early morning habits set the tone and pace for the whole day.
Starting off with hitting the snooze button three times, scrolling through social media and complaining about all the things you have to do will not do you much good.
Thankfully, some successful people have shared their morning habits that have helped them get where they are right now. These can also help you along your journey to success. Keep in mind that success is a series of small wins, not just one big end goal.
The tips below will help you achieve a better day. Continuously striving for a better day is what you need to move towards your success.
Our hardworking bodies require a good night's rest of an average of 8 hours per night. Getting enough sleep allows your body to fully recover so that you can tackle the following day.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld states that he doesn’t hit the snooze button. The moment his alarm goes off, he jumps out of bed, letting in natural light and splashing water on his face.
Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos wake up naturally and do not use alarms.
Arianna Huffington, who also doesn’t use an alarm, suggests that judging from its name, an alarm is supposed to induce a sudden fear or distress.
She believes that starting your day in a startling manner induced by an alarm is probably not the best way to go. It creates a flood of stress hormones and adrenaline in preparation for the anticipated ‘danger’.
Going to bed early allows them enough time to properly rest such that by the following morning, they are able to wake up early even without an alarm.
Several successful people engage in some sort of morning exercise.
Be it yoga, treadmill workouts, lifting weights, tennis or just a jog. They do something to get the body moving.
Studies have shown that people who engage in some sort of exercise daily have a more positive outlook on life and are more energetic. Completing a workout in the morning gives you a sense of accomplishment! This can drive you to maintain a streak of accomplishments throughout the day.
Morning exercise means your body secretes the much-needed neurotransmitters which help you gain mental clarity, improving your attention span. This allows you to effectively get things done and be more productive.
Coffee is the early morning beverage of choice for many people. However, studies have concluded that water is by far the better and healthier option.
Starting your day with some water ensures that you get rid of wastes from your body, you are well hydrated, and your body temperature is regulated. This explains why celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Beyonce start their days with a nice tall glass of water.
Breakfast is considered one of the most important meals of the day and what we eat directly affects how we feel, look and function.
Having a proper breakfast is a great start to the day. Depending on your preference you can go for something light like yogurt and granola or something fuller like toast, eggs and potatoes. If you’re in a rush, a smoothie can be a great option.
A healthy breakfast has been shown to improve concentration, balance our mood, improve our metabolism and lower stress levels. Idris Elba and Reese Witherspoon have stated that they never miss breakfast, finding it to be a great start to the day.
One of the best ways to simplify your decision-making and have a clear outline of what you need to do is by having a detailed to-do list.
This can be done in the evening or early in the morning to ensure your day is well planned. You also don't have to spend time deciding what needs to be done and when.
Most successful people such as Michelle Obama and Richard Branson believe in the importance of taking time to create a detailed to-do list specifying what needs to be done each day.
Former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault explained that at the end of each day, he jots down three things that he needs to accomplish the following day.
These morning habits are really simple and almost anyone who puts their mind to it can do them.
In order for you to see their effectiveness, you need to remain consistent.
If you fall off the wagon one day, don’t beat yourself up. Tomorrow is another chance for you to start your day with a morning workout, proper breakfast and a glass of water.
Coupled with going to bed early and drafting your to-do list in the evening or at the end of your work day, you will surely move towards your success.
Take one day at a time and use morning rituals to help you have a better day.
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