Your business is your baby, and sometimes, it’s all you can think about! You’re brainstorming new offers to give your audience, thinking about a client project, or making a mental to-do list at all times of the day. It can be overwhelming!
Your morning routine is crucial to being productive throughout the day (and we both know productivity is key!) These healthy habits force you to slow down and think about something other than your business. I highly recommend trying one or more of them out!
Remember, it takes at least three weeks to create a habit, so give these a chance! Whether or not you’re a morning person, these morning routine ideas will help you start the day on the right foot.
1. Skip the Snooze
I’ve been guilty of hitting the snooze button too many times! Try to avoid hitting snooze and instead, get up right when it goes off. Snoozing disrupts your sleeping schedule and can offset the start of your day by more time than you intend.
With that comes getting a good night’s sleep. Most people need a full eight hours of sleep to feel rested and ready to take on the day. However, 35% of all U.S. adults get less than that (moms, I’m lookin’ at you!) Getting enough sleep takes some planning. Here are some ways you can ensure you get enough sleep to be productive each day:
- Decompress at the end of the day (read, take a bath, etc.)
- Turn off the TV at least one hour before bed
- Set your alarm clock (and don’t snooze!)
2. Exercise
Did you know exercise reduces anxiety, depression, and negative moods? It elevates cognitive function by sharpening your thought process, enhancing your memory, and reducing stress. Doing it first thing in the morning wakes you up and gets your brain working before you start to sift through emails and work for the day.
Exercise also improves your energy levels. If you feel groggy first thing in the morning or the early afternoon, exercise can help. It wakes up your brain and body to allow continuous focus, concentration, and productivity during your work day.
3. Journaling
Journaling is so underrated! I’ve gotten into journaling recently and it’s changed my outlook on how I run my business. According to the University of St. Augustine, these are some of the benefits you can see from consistent journaling:
- Boosts emotional intelligence
- Inspires creativity
- Improves memory
- Enhances critical thinking
- Strengthens writing skills
You can see how all these can be beneficial to your business! I also like journaling to keep track of the progress of my goals. It’s motivational to look back on how far I’ve come. I can’t wait to look back in a few years and see how much my business has grown!
4. Breakfast
Don’t skip breakfast! They say it’s the most important meal of the day for a reason! It boosts your brainpower for the day and gives your body energy to get through the first few hours of the day. Skipping breakfast may cause you to experience difficulty concentrating and headaches.
Even if you aren’t hungry right when you wake up, it’s important to have something healthy to eat within the first hour or two of starting your morning. It can be a small snack to get something in your stomach, then you can come back a few hours later for something more substantial.
5. Time with Your Kids and/or Spouse
Quality time with your kids and/or spouse is highly important for your mental health. Feeling consumed in your work and guilty that you aren’t spending as much time with them as you’d like will only hurt your focus and productivity throughout the day.
I like to spend the first few hours of the day getting my kids up, making breakfast, and eating at the table with my family. It puts me in a good mood before starting my work day. Even if I have to work late one day, I know I got quality time with my family.
6. Hydrate
I know – coffee is the first thing I want in the morning, too! But water is the best thing for your body and productivity for the day. Drinking water first thing after waking up improves your energy throughout the day. Shoot for drinking at least 20 ounces of water right after getting out of bed!
7. Tell Yourself Positive Affirmations
Incorporating positive affirmations into my morning routine has greatly improved my confidence and reduced limiting beliefs about myself and my business. I put them on my desk and read them before I turn on my computer. It puts me in a great mood and mindset to start my day.
8. Meditate
Meditation improves how you manage stress, increases creativity, and helps you focus on the present. It can be easy to overthink all the things on your to-do list. Meditating allows you a moment to yourself to calm your mind and set your focus for the day.
By no means do you need to incorporate all of these things into your morning routine! I wanted to give you some ideas of healthy habits that will help you be more productive in your business and set your day on the right track. Choose what works for you and see how it positively impacts your day.
About Âme Creatives
I’m a Showit Design Partner and SEO expert who specializes in crafting websites and branding for you: the successful female entrepreneur who is crushing business goals… but doesn’t have the branding or website to match. I’m an expert at being able to create a beautiful brand that fully represents YOU. Ready to work together? Send me a message!
[…] exercise is one of the best ways to keep a positive mindset. I recommend exercising in the morning because it improves your cognitive function throughout the day. You’ll be more alert, energetic, […]