5 Steps to the Perfect Morning Routine
I received an email this morning from Career Contessa , that mentioned a Duke University study. Our automatic habits make up to 45% of our day.
That was so crazy to me! Our routines or habits streamline our lives, freeing up brain space for the things we consider most important. Maybe it allows you to focus on a presentation, or maybe it helps you finish work early so you can make dinner. Whatever items you prioritize, routines help us get there.
Routines are great - if they’re healthy and serve you. Many of us, myself included, get stuck in ruts where our habits distract from our goals or are otherwise negative (this can be anything from negative self-talk, not drinking enough water, or getting too little sleep).
This headline is a little misleading. There is no “perfect” routine, and all routines should be adapted to fit you and your life. For example, if you have ADHD, a rigid routine might not work for you. (I am not a doctor, nor do I have ADHD, so I am not the person to speak to about this.)
Nevertheless, here are 5 steps I incorporate into my morning routine:
Eat breakfast. I wake up early and wide awake, so I am ready for breakfast as soon as I get out of bed. Get something (preferably with protein) into your stomach and get hydrated. Breakfast will help you focus so you can work until lunch without an empty stomach distracting you. If breakfast isn’t your thing, at least have something to drink and think about eating a snack mid-morning.
Take your pills. If you’re on any prescriptions, take them according to your doctor’s instructions. I have low-thyroid, so I need to take my pills first thing in the morning. This is also a good time to take your vitamins and supplements. If you don’t take any, I strongly suggest you look into starting. Things like Vitamin D have made a big difference for me living in a place where it rains most of the year.
Get dressed. Working from home during lockdown has exploded the popularity of lounge wear. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of dressing comfortably. BUT, I’ve notified a big difference in my productivity levels when I make more of an effort to get ready in the morning. You don’t need to put on heels, but putting on “real” clothes (even just jeans over leggings), helps get me into work mode a little bit more easily.
Create your To Do list. I like to do this every day, but it can also be done at the beginning of each week. Either way, go through your tasks. What is the most important? What has an approaching deadline? Lay it all out! Focus on your imminent tasks and prioritize. This makes it easier to plan your day. Plus, crossing items off your list is the best feeling.
Move. I like to begin and end my day with movement. I take my dog outside as soon as I wake up, and we do a mini-walk. If you don’t want to go outside or do a full workout, try a quick yoga sequence. There are plenty of 10-minute routines to get your blood flowing and help you feel more awake.
These are just a few suggestions to help you build your perfect morning routine, so you can pick and choose what works for you. Something I did not put down that I really value, is reading the news each morning while eating breakfast. This can be substituted with a book or podcast, anything you like.
Do you have a morning routine? What does it look like?