I Upgraded My Entire Day with This Morning Routine

My twenties were a time of freedom. Few responsibilities outside my partner and my job meant that I had quite a few hours of the day free to do... whatever!

But as I've gotten older, I noticed that my days were starting to run together.

I would sleep late, work all day, come home and veg out in front of the TV, then go to bed and do it all over again the next day.

Throw in two kiddos and a high-stress job, and things started to spiral for me.

I was in a rut and knew that I needed to make a change. But where could I begin to change my entire day?

The answer was simpler than I thought- my morning routine!

As I've perused self-help books and watched TED talks, I've realized that some of the most successful and productive people have one thing in common- a killer morning routine.

So, I decided to give it a try. I decided to find the top things I could fit into a single hour in the morning to change my day for the better.

Here's what I came up with:

1. Wake up with the sun
2. Drink a full glass of water
3. Sweat it out for 10 minutes
4. Make your bed
5. Drink coffee while meditating or doing something calming
6. Write down 3 goals for the day

Let's look at each in detail, with an example of waking up at 6AM.

1. Wake up with the sun (6AM-6:05AM)

This is probably the simplest and most impactful change I made.

Just by setting my alarm for when the sun actually rises, I felt more energized and awake when my alarm went off.

Why wake up with the sun? Well, your body has an internal clock called the circadian rhythm. This is what makes you feel more awake in the morning and tired at night.

When you wake up with the sun, you're resetting your internal clock and telling your body it's time to start the day.

It'll take some time to get used to, but once you do it'll be a breeze!

2. Drink a full glass of water (6:05AM-6:10AM)

After years of being told by my mom to drink eight glasses of water a day, I finally understand why.

Drinking water first thing in the morning helps rehydrate you after a long night's sleep and sets you on the right step for a healthy day.

But that's not all it does- water also helps improve your skin complexion, aids in digestion, and can even help with weight loss!

3. Sweat it out for 10 minutes (6:15AM-6:30AM)

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a morning person. So, the thought of working out first thing in the morning wasn't exactly my idea of a good time.

But after trying it out, I can say that sweating it out for just 10 minutes was one of the best decisions I made all day. Not only did it give me more energy, but it also helped me to feel more alert and focused.

For me, this looks like a short jog outside. If I'm crunched for time, I do a few pushups. Anything to get my heart rate up and break a sweat!

Give yourself a few buffer minutes on either side of this 10 minutes to warm up and cool down.

4. Make your bed (6:30AM-6:35AM)

I know, I know. Making your bed seems like a pointless task when you're just going to sleep in it again tonight.

But trust me, making your bed can change your entire day.

Think about it- when you make your bed, you're starting the day with a small victory. You've accomplished something before 9AM!

This simple act can help to increase your productivity and motivation for the rest of the day.

5. Drink coffee while meditating or doing something calming (6:35AM-6:50AM)

Coffee is my lifeblood. There's no way I could get through the day without it.

But instead of chugging it down on my way out the door, I take a few minutes to enjoy it while doing something calming.

This could be reading, meditating, or even just stretching. Taking a few minutes to relax and clear your mind will help you to feel more focused and less stressed throughout the day.

6. Write down 3 goals for the day (6:55AM-7AM)

The last step in my morning routine is to write down 3 goals for the day. This could be anything from personal goals (like taking a break from social media) to work goals (like finishing a project or sending out 10 pitches).

Having written goals helps to increase your motivation and a sense of purpose for the day.

Plus, since it's only three goals, you won't be as overwhelmed as you would be if you tried to accomplish 10 things.

Take Back Your Morning

A disclaimer: Not every day is perfect.

There are times when I sleep through my alarm or can't find the energy to do a full workout. But on the days when I do manage to stick to my routine, I can definitely feel a difference.

I'm more productive, more positive, and generally just feel better about myself and my day.

If you're looking for a way to change your day-to-day, I highly recommend starting with a morning routine. It's helped me upgrade my entire day, and it can do the same for you!

What do you think? What's included in your morning routine? Let me know and let's wake up better, together! The world needs us!