1. Create a routine and stick to it

Creating a morning routine is helpful for allowing your brain to function at minimal capacity while it is adjusting from sleeping to waking. Attempting to get up at the same time every morning (and yes, it’s better to avoid that snooze button) and having a similar pattern of daily events from the time you leave your bed to going out your door can improve your efficiency and pleasure in the morning.

What are some good rituals to add into your routine? Splash your face with cold water, drink a big glass of water upon waking, meditate (or do a puzzle, colour, draw) for 10 mins, or sip on your coffee while reading the paper. Try to avoid electronic devices.

2. Plan your morning BEFORE going to bed

Pack your office/gym bag, pack your lunch, and pick out your clothes before you hop into bed at night. Having this done before bed allows you more time to sit and enjoy breakfast or chatting with your family or cat before leaving your house. Also, this preparation time before bed is a good bedtime ritual that can help you to wind down for a good night’s sleep.

To take things a touch further, get a notebook and record 1-3 things that you want to accomplish the next day. This gives you a tangible list to tackle so that 1) you make time for the things most important for you to complete and 2) all the things you have to do in the run of a day will likely seem a little less daunting.

3. Practice intermittent fasting

Don’t have an hour to prepare, eat, and clean up breakfast? That’s ok! Intermittent fasting, which is going without food for an extended period of time, has many proven benefits with regards to heart health, preventing diabetes, improving weight management, cancer prevention, and much more. Many individuals who experience success with intermittent fasting begin by stopping eating after dinner and not eating again until 10-12 hours later – often meaning that they don’t eat until lunch.  This means no food or drinks (except water) for the entire time.

If you’re planning on giving this one a try, it’s a good idea to consult a health care professional before starting, especially if you have a medical issue. Intermittent fasting can have side effects in some individuals, such as fatigue, headaches, irritability, and dizziness due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugars).

4. Don’t touch emails while still in bed

Sometimes we get distracted with opening and replying to emails, and before we know it, you’re running late for work. If something is urgent, put it on the list you make before you go to bed and accomplish that first. Get over the urge to check your inbox and do what’s important first. Email can wait until later.

5. Do the worst thing in your day first

After you do the thing that you’re avoiding the most, the rest of the day usually gets better.

6. Write down something that you’re grateful for

Perhaps in the same notebook that you’re using to plan your top daily tasks, also write 1-3 things for which you are grateful. It can be anything, such as a person in your life, an activity that you enjoy, how soft your cat feels, or the weather.

7. Open up your curtains

Eye exposure to light stops melatonin production. Melatonin is the hormone produced in your brain in response to darkness in preparation for sleep. Sunlight may also increase the release of serotonin – your happy brain chemical. Serotonin boosts happiness, focus, and calmness. Sounds good, right?

Whether you give all of the above a try or one of them a try, leave a comment or send me a message to tell me about how your morning went!