I’ve always had these grandiose plans of waking up early and conquering the world. Then the dreaded alarm strikes 6 a.m. every morning, and my entire mood meets defeat. I like to think that I can be, but I will probably never be a morning person. Even when I head to bed on time, I am still #eternallytired.
Since moving to a new city and starting a new job, I have been forced to actually follow a morning routine schedule, and I have to say I’ve been reaping some serious benefits.
Curating some good daily habits is imperative for growth and personal development. If you’re on the quest to bring a little more positivity into your daily routine, here’s a list of my favorite habits to start doing every day.
Mediation or Prayer
Do a bit of light stretching or yoga first thing in the A.M., so you’re less likely to have restless or stiff limbs throughout the day. It’s also ok to pray as soon as you open your eyes. Morning prayer is a great way to set your intentions for the day, whether you need encouragement, peace, strength or rest, pray on it sis.
Write down five things you are grateful for
Writing down things you are grateful for helps to remind you of the blessings in your life and to build upon your happiness. I like to write a daily reminder to myself: I am healthy, I have a great career, I have a loving and supportive family and friends… the list goes on. Gratitude isn’t a trait that society pushes us to favor too much, which is deeply saddening. If you’re finding that you have a negative attitude about your life, try starting a gratitude journal. Gratitude is a choice, and we have to work toward it.
Read positive self-help books
Everyone wants to find ways to stop doubting their greatness and start living an excellent life, right? Think of it this way, when you read an inspiring and motivational book every day, you instantly fuel your brain with positive words and uplifting mantras. If you aren’t inspired to make better choices and take affirmative action with your life, then you aren’t reading the right kind of books in the morning! My favorites ATM are Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating by Brian Tracy, and You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. Doing this for at least 20 minutes in the morning can make all the difference in how you see yourself and the world around you.
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is considered one of the most important meals of your day because it breaks the overnight fasting period and rejuvenates the body with a supply of glucose, according to Betterhealth.gov. Eating breakfast every day can also help maintain weight control while giving you a chance to sneak in some much-needed vitamins and nutrients. If you get the chance, make sure to eat some healthy foods like dairy, grains, and fruits first thing in the A.M.
Drink water with a pinch of lemon
Every single morning I try to drink some hot water lemon. You should too, and here’s why: When you drink this wonderful concoction first thing, it gives your body that digestive boost you need to get up and get going. Drinking some warm water with lemon instantly flushes out toxins and stimulates the natural enzymes in your liver, according to Gethealthyu.com. For a bonus, adding lemon to your water is a great way to heighten the flavor and variety with no extra calories. This is so simple and yet so good for your body.
No matter your reason for wanting to become a morning person, these tips are sure to help you perform better mentally and physically in the morning!
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