Finding a morning routine that works for you is hard. Every person is different and one size doesn’t fit all. Here are some tips to help jump start your morning for a productive day.

Get your to-do list ready the night before.

Starting the day is already a task, so why not take 10 minutes the night before to jot down a list of what you need to do the next day? When the morning comes, you don’t have to waste time figuring out what you need to do – use that time to do it.

Energize your morning with breakfast.

It’s called breakfast for a reason – you are breaking the fast you just indulged in while you were sleeping. It doesn’t have to be a huge meal, but it is essential to include the nutrients your body and brain needs to run efficiently. If breakfast isn’t your thing, try a protein shake or smoothie to fill you up and jump start your productive morning.

Hydrate.

You have just gone 8 hours (hopefully) without any water. Drink 8-12 oz of water right after you wake up. It will not only speed up your metabolism and hydrate you, but it will also give your brain fuel, flush toxins out of your body and give you a sense of fullness. If you want a little extra boost, add lemon to your water. This will enhance nutrient absorption in your stomach while adding potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants.

Turn on the lights.

Circadian clocks depend on light/dark cycles. When you are exposed to light it sends signals to your brain that it’s time to start a new day. These signals also tell your brain to stop producing melatonin – the hormone responsible for helping you get restorative sleep each night.

Get in motion to create motion.

Getting some sort of exercise in the morning will increase circulation and release endorphins, giving you and your brain that energy boost you’ve been looking for. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, starts being produced around 3 am to prepare your body to wake up. Getting some exercise in the morning helps reduce stress making the rest of your day manageable. On top of all this, it will clear your mind and increase concentration.

If you still need some help revving up your morning try these amazingly effective energy boosters. They’ll put some pep in your step and get your day started off right! If you’re having trouble relaxing and getting the restorative sleep you need, these might be more up your alley.

References

A Life of Productivity

Art of Productivity

Entrepreneur

Gameplan