Morning Habits. Love ‘em or hate ‘em; they set the tone for the rest of your day. It’s not uncommon to wake up feeling like you toiled the whole night, anxious or more sleepy. Unfortunately, mornings can easily turn into a chaotic blur.
Well, you are the master of your time. So, minor tweaks here and there to your morning routine can turn that groggy mess into a peaceful, productive launchpad. If you want to wake up and spend the rest of your day feeling like the main character, use one or all of the following habits and wait for the results.
1. Ditch That Snooze Button
You may think you are giving yourself a few more glorious minutes in your cozy blankets until your day’s goals start catching up–and not in a good way. Snoozing your alarm is a bad idea. When you snooze, your brain starts a new sleep cycle, only to be rudely interrupted minutes later. You will likely be disoriented and more tired.
Instead, set your alarm for the time you need to wake up. If that’s easier said than done, try putting your alarm across the room. That way, you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. This will be an instant win.
2. Swap Doomscrolling for Something Positive
Also known as doomsurfing, doomscrolling is the innate desire of wanting to stay informed, often through social media platforms. Unfortunately, the news leaned more on the negative and depressing side for a longer period. This behavior has been linked to stress and increasing existing anxiety symptoms.
So, instead of reaching out to your phone the second your eyes see lights, swap the need for endless (mindless) scrolling for something more uplifting. Try:
- Sitting in silence with your thoughts( Listen to your inner self)
- Listening to a calming, educative, or educational podcast
- Reading a few pages of a book
Give your brain a chance to wake up before bombarding it with the chaos of the world.
3. Let the Sun Shine In
Help your body gear up for the day by having natural light in. Open those curtains, step outside, or just bask in the glow of the morning sky. Sunlight tells your brain to stop making melatonin–the sleepy hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythm.
Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin. This “feel-good” hormone helps improve mood and keeps you feeling positive. It’s basically like a free morning pick-me-up without the caffeine crash.
4. Try Pairing CBD With Other Morning Habits
A good morning starts the night before! CBD may help improve sleep by promoting deeper, more restful rest. Using CBD in the morning also helps create a calm and balanced start to the day. According to research, even small doses of CBD can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, thus regulating mood and easing stress, and anxiety.
While using CBD oil drops, gummies, capsules, or sublingual spray has positive effects on your body’s general well-being, try pairing it with other activities like deep breathing or gentle stretching to make your mornings feel more grounded.
5. Move Your Body (No, You Don’t Have to Run a Marathon)
There’s no need to go full beast mode at the gym. Just get your body moving. A quick stretch, some yoga, or even a goofy dance party in your pajamas will do the trick. Movement releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones that help lower stress and improve your mood.
If you can take your movement outside, you’ll double the benefits by getting natural light exposure. It will help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your mood.
Fun fact: exercise increases blood flow to the brain, sharpening concentration and memory. If you’ve got a busy day ahead, moving your body can help you stay sharp and on top of your game.
6. Eat Breakfast That Doesn’t Come in A Wrapper
Let’s be honest: Knowing the healthy meal to eat instead of a grab-and-go snack can make a difference in your energy level throughout the day. As the first meal, better known as breaking the fast, skip the sugar goodies as they will likely leave you feeling crushed later on.
Think of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs–eggs and avocado, yogurt with fruit, or good old oatmeal. If you are not a breakfast person, that is no problem. Just make sure you are well-hydrated and not running on fumes.
7. Make a To-Do List
Mornings are the best time for making your day’s intention known. A to-do list gives your day direction. This way, you’re not just reacting to whatever pops up. You will prioritize what matters, reducing stress and freeing up brain space for more important things (like remembering where you put your coffee).
But hold up! This isn’t about listing 27 tasks and setting yourself up for disappointment. Keep it simple. Pick three key things you want to accomplish. That way, you have a clear focus without feeling like a contestant on a never-ending game show.
8. Take 5-Minute Breather
The day ahead may be filled with noise, chaos, and a lot of running up and down(probably both physically and mentally). So, in the morning, take five minutes to breathe without caring about anything in the world. Try deep breathing, meditation, or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts. It helps reduce stress, clears your mind, and sets a calm tone for the day ahead.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Just a few deep inhales and exhales can do the trick. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to pause before the day sweeps you away.
9. Set the Right Mindset
It’s more likely that the mood you will have in the morning will carry on during the entire day. So, take a second to check in with yourself. This can be through practicing gratitude, deciding it’s going to be a good day, or repeating positive self-affirmations. For example, you can say something like:
- “I let go of stress and welcome peace into my life.”
- “I am in control of my thoughts and emotions.”
- “I breathe in positivity and breathe out tension.”
If you have a winning, strong, or empowered mindset in the morning, you will feel ready to conquer whatever comes your way.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a perfect morning routine, just one that helps you feel good and sets you up for success. Try a few of these habits, mix and match, and find what works for you. Mornings don’t have to be a chaotic mess or a half-asleep blur. With a bit of intention, they can become the best part of your day.
