Find the most effective healthy morning routine checklist to make your mornings healthier.
Back in college, I believed I was a night owl who could never become a morning person. I just couldn't get out of bed early in the morning, no matter how hard I tried. My mornings were spent sleeping, and nights were spent completing assignments. This simply resulted in unsatisfactory performance and poor health. My life was merely in shambles.
Now, after years of experience, the most important lesson I have learned is to never take your mornings for granted. Because we only get one each day. And the best approach to make the most of your mornings is to stick to a solid morning routine.
Importance of Morning Routine
Why is having a healthy morning routine important?
A morning routine will motivate you to get up early and get going for the day. It provides your day a sense of purpose, which is crucial for getting your day started on the right foot. It also helps to increase productivity and reduce stress.
Ultimately, a morning routine will help you get through the entire decision-making process first thing in the morning (which you definitely don't want to go through after waking up).
Adding too many things to your morning routine simply because everyone else is doing it is not the best approach. Since everyone has different needs, your morning routine should be tailored to your specific goals.
However, there are certain activities that everyone needs to include in their morning routine to benefit from it.
Healthy Morning Routine Checklist
Here's a healthy morning routine checklist to show you what exactly you need to do in the morning to get the most out of it.
1. Start planning your day the night before
Don’t try to plan your day in the morning. Instead, do it the night before.
Why?
Because it is easier to make decisions at night than it is in the morning.
So, at the end of the day, make a to-do list, choose your outfit, and plan your breakfast for the next day. Also, work on your schedule if you have any additional plans or meetings.
Besides, a night of restful sleep is the foundation of a good morning start. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize your sleep by creating a night routine that you can stick to.
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2. Set up an alarm and wake up without hitting snooze
Snooze button addiction is a real thing that may ruin your morning routine before it even begins.
Another reason to overcome this addiction is the negative snoozing effect, which also impacts the rest of your day. So, stop snoozing your alarm and start your day on a positive note.
3. Wake up to natural light
Our eyes have not yet adjusted to the light after a night's sleep. So, in the morning, try to wake up to natural light by opening your window curtains first. Sunlight will leave you feeling refreshed and will gently wake you up without straining your eyes.
4. Make your bed
Make your own bed every morning. It should be your first physical activity of the day. As it will make you feel accomplished and will drive you to complete the tasks that follow. It is not much of a deal, but it is worthwhile.
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5. Drink water
After a long night's sleep with little water consumption, it's important to re-hydrate your body as soon as you wake up. So, make it a habit to drink a glass of water when you get out of bed in the morning.
It will undoubtedly help you feel more energized and boost your metabolism.
6. Brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth in the morning comes naturally and is certainly not a big concern.
But did you note that I mentioned brushing your teeth after drinking water? Because it is usually a good idea to brush your teeth after drinking water in the morning.
Before you begin brushing your teeth, you need to wipe away the germs that build within your mouth at night. So that when you brush, the process is more effective.
Also, it will help you avoid potential dental problems.
7. Get some sunlight
Get some vitamin D and fresh air by going outside in the sun. Even a short time spent in the sun in the morning will help you feel much better and healthier. (Also, you can combine this with activity #8)
8. Move a bit
A little body movement in the morning is a terrific way to wake up and help your body prepare for the day ahead. Besides, it is important to exercise daily, even if done for a short time.
So, do engage in some exercises in the morning (be it moderate or vigorous) or a morning walk if that is something you enjoy. Nonetheless, just 15 minutes of movement activity can make a significant difference in the quality of your day.
Here are some physical activities for when you're tight on schedule or just hate exercising at all.
“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
9. Take a shower
Showering is often regarded as a hygienic habit, but it is also a type of self-care ritual. It is a great way to care for both your body and your mind.
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10. Put on clean clothes
Putting on clothes may appear to be a trivial activity, yet it can help enhance your confidence. Even if you're staying in, changing into new, clean clothes will make you feel better.
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11. Use Affirmations and Visualizations
Using affirmations is a practice of positive thinking, whereas visualization is a technique for attracting your goals via visual images.
Positive affirmations and visualization combined can help you become a better version of yourself. Regular practice of repeating your affirmations and visualizing your goals in the morning will help you achieve great results throughout the day.
12. Unplug until breakfast
Quickly scanning your phone for emails or scrolling through social media may be the first thing that comes to your mind when you wake up. Although it is a terrible way to start the day. As it is super distracting and takes your attention away from your priorities.
So, never check your phone first thing in the morning. Stay unplugged until you've finished your breakfast.
13. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
The best way to conclude a healthy morning routine is by preparing and having a good breakfast. Because a healthy breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day.
Besides, there are more benefits of eating breakfast than skipping it. So, if you skip breakfast due to a hectic schedule or in the name of intermittent fasting, think twice.
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.”
I hope this healthy morning routine checklist has helped you come up with some practical ideas for yourself.