Becoming a morning person or just
using every morning to your advantage can be difficult to accomplish,
especially in the dreary winter months. Mornings can often be associated with
the struggle to sleep in a little bit more or rushing to shower and get dressed
for a long day of work ahead. While for night owls, mornings won’t ever be fun,
there are ways to make them a bit more productive so that you can begin a
successful day. Below are a few methods that can help you wake up with a clearer mind and embark on the day
with energy and anticipation rather than dread and sleep deprivation.
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1) Avoid
your phone
The instinct that most of us have
first thing in the morning is reaching over to our bedside tables and scrolling
through our phones. While this activity might wake you up it won’t set up your
day for productivity and motivation when you are spending it under the covers
on social media. An easy way to avoid this trap altogether is by using a proper
alarm clock rather than your smartphone to wake you up in the mornings. With an
alarm clock you can’t do anything other than snooze and turn it off,
instigating you to get out of bed. Be sure to keep your phone on the other end
of the room so that you actually have to get up if you really want to look
through it.
2) Have
a good breakfast
It’s a common saying that
breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While that may not be true for
every one (as we are all different) it is a great way to get your energy up and
prepare you for the day when you are feeling groggy after a late night. Rather
than opting for a sugary meal, try and prepare something with protein and fiber
so that your digestion is primed for the rest of the food you will be eating
throughout the day instead of spiking your insulin levels early in the morning.
Furthermore, a great way to really enjoy your meal before you dive into a
hectic day is by eating it without your phone as a means of distraction—instead
eat meaningfully and enjoy the morning silence.
3) Plan
out your day
A great morning habit to practice
that can help produce a successful day is taking time to plan out your day.
This can be simply sitting at your kitchen table and really delving into what
your day will look like when you start work, what you hope to accomplish, and
what can be done another day so as to avoid piling too much on and causing
stress. By not planning it can be easy to fall into multiple projects
throughout and not having a clear direction for all of them, making it
difficult and messy for your team members to stay on track as well. Using a virtual data room (such as the
one Firmex offers)
to store all your necessary documents for big projects is a great way to stay
on top of what you’re doing, remaining in communication and collaboration with
your team, and keeping all confidential information secure.
4) Squeeze
in a workout
The easiest way to get more
energy and feel refreshed early in the morning is by having a workout before
you head to the office. The thought of having to peel yourself out of bed on a
cold, winter day might be making your stomach churn, however, it’s been proven
to boost motivation and productivity for the rest of the day. If you really
can’t handle high intensity activities early in the morning opt instead for
something lighter, but that will still get you moving, like yoga. It’s
important to treat your body with the same care and patience as you would any
other aspect of your life and working out is a great way to do that.
5) Practice
mindfulness
Mornings are usually attributed
to the hustle and bustle of work life and those who chose to get as much sleep
as they can are often looked down upon in high intensity corporate
environments. It’s important to begin your day by practicing mindfulness in all
the activities you do, such as eating, working, walking, or just generally
living. Instead of letting the days pass by in a flurry of work and exhaustion,
give yourself a few minutes every morning to recognize what you are doing, why
it is that you are doing it, and who and where you want to be in the future.
Working on your mental health is the best thing you can do to ensure a
productive day ahead.