Morning routines can have a big impact on how you move throughout your day. If you snooze your alarm and rush to get out the door, you are less likely to be present and productive, and more likely to feel anxious or stressed.

Having mindful morning habits allows you to be more focused and connected to yourself. Whether it’s a glass of water, a meditation or movement class, making some time for self-care in the morning can boost your energy, make you feel calmer and more grounded throughout the day.

What’s your morning routine? Can it be more mindful? Here’s 3 simple things you can do to set yourself up for a productive day.

“Mindfulness helps us to live in harmony with our thoughts, words, and actions.”
– Amit Ray

NO SCREENS IN THE MORNING

When you first wake up in the morning your brain switches from delta waves, which occur in a deep sleep state, to theta waves, which occur during a sort of daydreamy state.

The theta state is an ideal time to tap into your subconscious mind to visualise what you want and help your brain drive your actions forward toward achieving your vision.

By grabbing your phone first thing and immediately diving into the online world, you force your body to skip these important states and you are priming your brain for distraction. Furthermore, seeing or reading something negative first thing in the morning can trigger your stress response and put you on edge for the rest of the day.

RE-HYDRATE

Re-hydrate after rest! After a long night’s sleep, without any water, your body may be feeling quite dehydrated. Dehydration is strongly linked to decreased mental performance, meaning that completing tasks, such as memorising or learning new things, becomes more difficult.

Research shows that mild dehydration can negatively affect alertness, concentration, short-term memory, and physical performance. Hence, drinking water first thing in the morning will help you stay on top of your game.

In addition, it’s essential to re-hydrate before you have your morning caffeine hit. Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it is something that dehydrates your body. This makes it really important to replenish your body and re-hydrate before visiting your local barista.

MORNING MOVEMENT

There are many mental health benefits of exercise, and working out first thing helps you experience those benefits right away. Exercise leads to the secretion of neurotransmitters that promote mental clarity and an improved attention span.

That early morning sense of accomplishment can also help you have a healthier day, establishing a mindset that encourages you to make more mindful choices throughout the rest of the day.

Morning movement can give you an energy hit, and the flood of endorphins can have long lasting effects, resulting in a mood boost that can last for hours.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to have a mindful morning, as long as you have a routine that makes you feel calm and ready to take on the day, keep making that time for you.