11 Energetic Morning Routine Tips That Help Your Mental Health

They say the way you start your morning dictates the whole day. If nothing goes right in the first hours of the morning, most probably it won’t get any better during the day.

So what if we would pay special attention to the way we start our mornings? Having a morning routine, where we’re performing healthy behaviors might lead not only to a calmer morning but also to improved mental health.

Depending on how much time you have in the morning, we gathered some morning routines for you to try. They might help you not only to start fresh and vigorous but also to keep those good vibes going the whole day.

• Prepare – Maybe you’re a sleep lover so your mornings are always in a rush. To make your life easier, prepare everything from the night before: meal, clothes, even your coffee.
• Let the light in – Being waken up by bright light increases feelings of wakefulness. Try embracing the sunlight in the first 5 to 10 minutes after you wake up in the morning.
• Always make your bed – Making your bed in the morning is extremely underrated. Studies show that the habit of making the bed has a positive impact on our sleep and gives us a happier mood.
• Hydrate – A study published by Nutrition Reviews claims that dehydration can have a negative impact on our cognitive function. Consider rehydrating first thing in the morning, in order to avoid fatigue and other symptoms of low moods, like irritability and confusion.
• Nourish yourself – If there is one thing to recommend doing to improve someone’s mental health, that would be getting something to eat in the morning.
• Write down some gratitude thoughts – This might seem taken out of a mindfulness guide, but it’s actually helpful. It can improve one’s happiness, as well as relationships, and enhance one’s sense of well-being. Generally speaking, we should always make time for reminding ourselves what we’re grateful for.
• Get motivated – If motivation lacks, so is your will to get out of bed. Consider adding a spark of joy and motivation to your morning routine, so you can jump out of bed with ease.
• Avoid technology – Although this cannot be enough emphasized: smartphone use can lead to compulsive behavior that erodes your mental well-being, rather than enhancing it.
• Try meditating – If you wake up and a very busy day awaits in front of you, some meditation might be needed. You only need to take 5 to 15 minutes out of your time to sit, breathe, and try to imagine how your day will unfold. Keep that positive attitude!
• Make a list for the day – Maybe meditation is not exactly the answer for you, but a list for the day could. Steal 5 minutes of your morning to sit and think about your tasks, and try to organize them, and maybe even create a schedule for things to run smoothly.
• Try some physical activity – Exercises can have the most positive impact on our mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you don’t have time for a morning run, try doing some stretching and some jumping-jacks to get your blood flowing.

To make things even easier for you here’s a book about morning routines that might really be helpful: Morning Magic: How to Sleep Better, Wake Up Productive, and Create a Marvelous Morning Routine

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