If you have iPhone you should be utilizing your bedtime app, instead of the blaring, annoying alarm that’s standard. You could be hearing a calm, soothing morning sounds to wake yourself up. For me, it is a lot more pleasant than other alarms I’ve used in the past. Plus no one likes to be annoyed at 6 o’clock in the morning.
After you stop the alarm, leave your phone alone! The first hour into your day is important and sets the tone for how your day will go. Most of us wake up and the first thing we do is check our messages, mentions likes and occasionally our emails. But the best thing you can do for yourself is to not be so connected to your cell phone for the first hour of your day. Starting your day off with stretches, deep breathing, meditation, yoga or maybe even a run is more beneficial for your body and productivity.
After 6-8 recommended hours of sleep, you should do something to energize your mind and body and maybe even something that gets your blood pumping and gets your heart rate up. Also, consider waking up maybe an hour earlier than you usually do. Waking up at 6 AM will be beneficial to your morning routine and your productivity. If you’re reading this, you are either an aspiring college student, a college student or a former college student. No matter what, you’re all adults. I know you saw waking up at 6 am and got sick to your stomach. It’s time to really grow up! there are only 24 hours in a day. You should be making the best out of all the hours you are awake. You don’t need to sleep past 8 am. GET UP!!
On the bright side of things taking responsibility for your time and productivity, you will most likely be up and at ‘em before any of your roommates or your family members in your home are. You can have quality “Me time” without worrying about being interrupted. Personally, this is my favorite part of the day. It’s a time where I can just focus on myself and my needs. Most people are afraid to be alone with themselves and their own thoughts. I think its empowering. Getting to know myself has been one of the bravest things I’ve done. I’ve been able to find out who I am and what I want without others trying to deter me from how I feel.
In the morning as soon as I wake up I lay in bed and think about how grateful I am and put the focus on the things I’m proud of and anything that makes me happy. After I wake up to what I call “Happy thoughts” I jump out of bed and turn around and make my bed. Yes, I make my bed first thing in the morning! You must start the day off by being productive. Plus, who wants to get back in bed and mess it up after it looks clean and neat again. No one in their right mind!
After I get moving a bit, I make sure to hydrate myself with some refreshing water. Hydration is important for health and wellness and should be a part of your daily routine. Next, I do morning stretches while looking in the mirror. I do most of my morning routine while looking in the mirror because mirrors are manifestation tools and there are various techniques to help you manifest all that you truly desire into your current reality. Stretching while looking in the mirror also increases your confidence by familiarizing yourself with your full body, and gets your body moving first thing in the morning. When I feel like I’ve stretched enough I turn on soothing music to get in the right state of mind to meditate. After meditating until I feel zen, I take any stress I may be feeling out on the yoga mat.
Yoga is not only a great way to get you ready for the day but it is highly meditative and a great form of exercise!
With almost 2 hours of “me-time,” I like to reflect on any thoughts I’ve had in my journal I express how I’m feeling, what I’m grateful for and what I’m excited for. Writing is extremely therapeutic to me. After I take time to focus on myself and my current needs. I refresh by showering and getting ready for the day, this, of course, includes a dance break or a mini-concert, sometimes a combination of both. I feel its best to put yourself in a good mood in the morning. It makes your days better!
After the fun is over its time to get serious and plan out your day. Write down the top 3 important things you need to do and go from there. Being prepared is being productive and that’s how we get things done! but before you go out and conquer the world make sure you eat a balanced breakfast full of your favorites food! I love starting my mornings with a homemade smoothie or maybe some fresh fruit. It doesn’t matter what you eat, as long as it makes you feel great and will last you until lunch. Breakfast is important, fueling your mind starts with fueling your stomach you wont be focused on hunger if you’re eating and drinking water throughout the day. One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies Hairspray states “I’ll eat some breakfast, then change the world”.
Before redirecting my life and developing a morning routine, I was very lost and unsure of myself and what I could do. Through diligence and discipline I have inadvertently redirected the course of my life. I wasn’t always a morning person or productive at all, during my first and second year of college I was the one who got up 30 mins before class started and expected myself to be ready to learn and take in the information presented to me. I wasn’t ready to learn or focus my brain and body were barely energized and I was still sleepy because I got too much sleep! Crazy right.
I wanted to feel better. I knew something had to change. One day I came across a Ralph Smart video on YouTube about taking charge of your mornings and developing a morning routine and it has single-handedly changed my life experience for the better. I can tell you going to bed at a decent time, waking up early and having structure and a bunch of self-care every morning keeps me loving life, feeling focused and having all the energy to go to class, go to work and have a social life without taking any naps or feeling overloaded.
Developing a morning routine also reduced my anxiety by a milestone. I’m very grateful for all that I’ve learned and used to shape my new life. That is why writing a piece like this is beneficial and grateful Randall has given me the opportunity to share what I know and I hope you find this useful in your daily lives.
We all like lists so here’s a list of things you can do with your extra time in the morning.:
- Read
- Write down your dream from the night before
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Yoga
- Full body stretches
- Make a nice breakfast
- Make a smoothie or smoothie bowl
- Plan for your day ahead
Your morning routine sets the precedence of how your day will go. You don’t want to rush through your day so don’t waste your mornings, get up early and show yourself some self-love and self-care. Before you get through the hustle and bustle of life. You are worth it.
