Simple Hacks to Develop a Morning Routine That Sets You Up for a Productive Day

Sometimes it can be hard to get out of bed in the morning, especially if you have a long, hard day ahead of you. But, starting off on the right foot is extremely important because the first hour or two of your morning generally defines the rest of your day.

If you ever have trouble starting your day on the right foot, generally wake up feeling groggy and start to work in the morning half awake not long after you tumble out of bed, then you probably need to make some changes to improve your morning routine.

Here are seven simple hacks that will help you create a morning routine that sets the right mood for a productive and positive day.

1. Go to bed a bit earlier.

Although this may not be directly related to morning hacks, it will make the first part of your day a lot easier. Getting to bed earlier will allow you to get enough sleep, which in turn means that you will wake up feeling better rested and more refreshed. This means that the first few hours of the morning will be easier, allowing you to get your day off to a good start. Set your bedtime a little bit earlier to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of shuteye necessary for a positive and productive day ahead.

2. Do simple exercise before breakfast.

Some quick and simple exercises as soon as you roll out of bed will help you start the day on a high. It will allow you to get rid of the stiffness from your muscles, priming both them and your brain for the day ahead. The extra blood flow around your body which will occur due to exercise will make you more alert and switched on and more able to deal with tasks quickly and efficiently. Simple exercises you can do include some pushups and sit ups. You can also install a wall mounted pull up bar and do some chin ups.

3. Cook an early breakfast.

Most people don’t allow anywhere near enough time to get ready for work in the morning, let alone enough time to cook a decent breakfast. Get up half an hour earlier so that you have the time to cook breakfast. Starting your day earlier and with a proper meal will leave you energized and feeling good before you start your day’s work. You will be able to focus from the first minute you get to work, and you won’t have to worry about struggling with hunger pangs in the hours before lunch. The act of cooking in the morning itself will engage and help you stay awake, as will the aromas of warm food.

4. Keep a pet.

If you have a dog, a cat, or even some birds to look after, then you will have to get up early in the morning to take care of the pet before you start your day’s work. Dogs are an especially good option as they need to be walked and fed every single morning. This will not only force you out of bed at a set time, but an early morning walk will also help you wake up and be more alert. Besides, dogs are generally early risers by nature and walking yours can be a routine worth getting out of bed for.

5. Stop hitting the snooze button.

Sometimes no amount of morning hacks or tips and tricks will be enough to get you out of bed in time if you are a fan of the snooze button. If this is the case, you need to kick this habit and get some good habits in place. Put the alarm clock where you cannot reach it. Those first few moments of the morning when you’re likely to hit snooze are crucial in how the rest of your day goes. Give yourself enough hours of sleep instead of stealing snooze-button sleep in the morning, which is disturbed slumber that may be doing more harm than good. Although it may be difficult to quit the habit in the beginning, it will become easier with time.

6. Plan your day the night before.

If you aren’t a morning person then it can be very difficult to get yourself out of bed in time, and even more difficult to get ready for work. You can make things easy for yourself by getting your stuff ready the night before. Iron your clothes and lay them out somewhere, ready to pull on straight after your shower in the morning. Have breakfast ready to go so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time worrying about it before work. Program your coffee machine to have hot coffee waiting for you when you get out of bed. Simple things like this can make your mornings infinitely easier and less stressful, starting you off on the right foot and improving your entire day.

7. Let the sunshine in.

If you are lucky to live in a place where the sun shines regularly, then make the most of it! Let the light in when you wake up by opening curtains and doors. This will help you wake up and leave you feeling more alert by the time you get down to work, and it will put a smile on your face. Sunlight is also a vital source of vitamin D, without which you will feel tired and worn out much quicker. It follows that letting the sun in when you wake up will leave you feeling healthier and more energetic for the day.