As one season closes out, we do our best to not get plagued by some of our shortcomings. Rather than focus on the negative this season, look ahead towards the windows of opportunities and fully take them on. The morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day. From hitting that first snooze to the moment you walk out that door, the energy you channel within those hours of preparations are critical to the daily results you aim to produce. It’s time to take a look into ways of eliminating that Walking Dead grime and the puffy eyes that don’t seem to disappear until lunch time. Get active with this list of helpful tips that can make the mornings a tad bit easier and less frantic.
Stretching
The mission isn’t to contort the body like Mr. Fantastic of Fantastic Four but there’s nothing wrong with aiming high. The muscles and the rest of your body need to be awakened. Stretching aids blood flow and minimizes chances of injury. We presume that our “workout” comes from walking from the bed to the bathroom, but that simply isn’t enough. A good stretch will help carry you throughout the day. If you’ve got ongoing friction with your boss, stretching will assist in keeping the rising blood pressure and stress at bay. An added bonus, since muscles and joints are loose after routine stretching, you may even be able to comfortably wear clothes that may have a slimmer fit. So don’t be shy, grab that yoga mat.
Meditation
If morning stretching had a twin sister, you’d be introduced to meditation. Not only do the bones need a wake-up but so does the brain. It does NOT need to be immediately stimulated by your phone or music. Meditation, even in increments as little as five minutes, can keep you centered and sets the tone for a peaceful day.
Experts say, “one powerful benefit of meditation is being able to detach from habitual thought patterns, especially the negative ones. Through a regular practice, you can gain control of your thoughts. Being in control in this way can help move you into a compassionate, proactive state of being rather than a reactive one.”
Creative Writing
Now that you’ve got a clear head, it’s time to put your thoughts into action. Writing your dreams, ideas, and thoughts down on paper can be therapeutic and a healthy start for the day. It allows you to share freely. You can react purely off of emotion with creative writing and fully express your deepest concerns, wishes, and joys. Whether you’re writing lyrics to a song, a poem, or even random thoughts, you’ll energize your creativity and have a more productive and fruitful day.
Full Breakfast
A croissant or an energy bar does not count as a breakfast meal. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You compromise your physical health every day that you skip out on breakfast. This routine is to be regulated and equipped with all the necessary nutrients: vitamins, fiber, and hydration.
A proper breakfast feeds the body and the mind keeping your muscles, nerves, cells, and everything else within your anatomy operating at its highest level. Skipping breakfast can easily become a bad habit. Sometimes, a quick, on the go breakfast is worse than no breakfast. From greasy foods to multiple cups of coffee, you’ll trash your body and will have no energy left by noon. A good habit to build is putting the foods you wish to prepare for breakfast on your counter or kitchen table the night before. This will remind you to not skip out on breakfast.
Grooming Routine
Here’s to the morning routine curtain call. Feeling good might be a challenge but looking good takes effort as well. Some may speed through this process, neglecting some important details that’ll make you a stand out in any room. If you’re a slow starter in the morning your face will be the evidence. Get your face ready in the morning with a solid routine including facial cleanser and moisturizer. It’ll help lift the skin and rid it of any grime from the night before. A fragrance is the icing on the cake for a clean presentation. Catch some eyes and turns some heads with a fresh beard, courtesy of the Scotch Porter Beard Collection. Assuming you’ll be shaking hands throughout your work day, the hands should remain a priority when grooming, always clean, fresh, and moisturized. Don’t ever compromise your hair, skin, and teeth when taking a more active approach towards your mornings. You’ll experience a change like never before, approaching each day with confidence seizing a win!
