Fleur and Phoebe Your morning routine can profoundly impact your ability to focus and handle stress throughout the day. Some morning rituals, like meditating or doing yoga, are proven to promote healthy mental and physical wellness, while others, like consuming caffeine, are proven to have negative effects. One of the most beneficial morning rituals you can start doing today is incorporating morning exercise into your routine. Research shows that even short 15-minute workouts can positively affect your mood, stress levels, and overall wellness.
10 BUILDING BLOCKS OF A MORNING ROUTINE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Prepare
Start the day with a positive outlook. Your morning routine should include quiet time to prepare yourself mentally for the day ahead. Use this time to exercise, read, or just get some fresh air. Try to avoid checking your phone or social media during this time. Try to splurge on yourself once a day. Turn off your cell phone, stop checking your email, and give yourself 30 minutes to do something that makes you happy.
Let light in
Maybe you may not, but chances are, your mind and body respond to shifts in light. You rely on the sun for plenty of energy, and without it, you feel tired, cranky, and even depressed. In fact, studies have shown that those who experience symptoms of depression may not feel the sun’s energy as strongly as others.
Make your bed
Making your bed in the morning is a simple habit that can do wonders for overall mental well-being. In fact, this easy habit is so powerful that it is featured in just about every book on daily habits to improve health, drive, and productivity. According to a recent study by Cornell University, making your bed in the morning reduces your stress levels and improves your sleep quality.
Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water can instantly boost your mood and make you feel better. Water helps flush out toxins and waste from your cells, keeping you feeling energized throughout the day. If you are feeling sluggish and looking for an energy boost, water can help.
Nourish
In the beginning, yoga was all about awakening. You practiced different poses, and each day you made it through with everything intact. Almost every morning was greeted with a sense of excitement, anticipation, and the experience of accomplishment. Yoga was an escape. Once you got on the mat, the stresses of the day melted away, and you were free. It was your way of fulfilling your physical and mental needs, and you were thankful for that.
Write down what you’re grateful for
This year, remember to write your gratitude list every night before you go to bed. It’s a simple, easy way to start your day and end your day on a positive note. Mental well-being is an important component of your overall well-being. Sometimes, it’s the little things that count the most.
Motivate
Motivation is a fickle thing, and many of us struggle with maintaining our motivation to exercise regularly and eat healthily. To help you stay motivated, start your morning with a routine that encourages you to stick to your healthy habits all day.
Avoid technology
Since the dawn of time, human beings have found ways to communicate and interact. Before talking, people communicated through gestures, sound, and body language. The advent of written language gave us a way to store our messages and record our stories. Fast forward about 400 years, and we can communicate with technology. We text we tweet, and we use Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and other social media apps to share our day with the world.
Meditate
Getting up earlier, meditating, and treating yourself are a few little things that can help you start the day on the right foot. However, these three tips may not actually be as amazing as they sound. While meditating in the morning can be a great way to start the day, results will vary from person to person. And treating yourself in the morning can actually hinder your productivity throughout the day.
Make a list
Writing a list can be a great way to start your day. Because it’s such a visual experience, writing a list can also be a powerful reminder to see things in a more positive light. A list can help you clear your head, allowing you to refocus your energy and attention on the tasks at hand. Each morning, take a few minutes to write down the things you want to accomplish that day.
A morning routine that supports your mental health. Wake up early. Do something physically active. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Do something creative. Keep your mind sharp. Reflect on where you are and where you want to go.
