Why Starting Your Day Off Right is the Key to Success
Do you find it interesting how successful people start their day? Typically it involves getting up early, doing some sort of exercise, reading the news, eating a balanced breakfast, and even mentally preparing with meditation or reciting affirmations. The exact details vary from person to person, but what most successful people have in common is a routine.
Morning routines vary from person to person, and that's OK, because it's all about finding what works best for you. We might know what we "should" be doing in the morning to increase our chances of success, but is there anything we should be avoiding?
If your goal is to have a productive day from the start, then here are a few tips from Business Insider to help perfect your morning routine.
Here are 7 things not to do when you first wake up
1. Hit The Snooze
It's tempting, oh so tempting. But apparently, not great for you. The article explains that if you fall back into a deep sleep after you hit the snooze button, you're entering a sleep cycle you definitely won't be able to finish. That will only prolong the inevitable and leave you feeling groggy. Who wants to start their day like that?
2. Curl Up In Bed
Take a moment to stretch your arms, extend your legs, and make yourself as big as possible. According to Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy, stretching out wide is a way to build confidence as you launch into your day.
3. Check Your Email
This one is oh so tempting as well, but try to avoid it at all costs. Why devote time to an email when you don't have time to focus? Checking emails before you're actually ready to take on a task is a recipe for a stressful morning. No thank you.
4. Avoid Making the Bed
Sure, it's tedious and you have to get out the door, but could this actually help reinforce a morning routine? One does feel a moment of accomplishment after the bed has been made, and it's one less thing to check off the list.
According to Business Insider and Charles Duhigg, author of "The Power of Habit" and "Smarter Faster Better," making your bed is associated with increased productivity throughout the rest of the day.
5. Drink Coffee Too Soon
What!? I almost fainted reading this because I definitely need my coffee. However, many subscribe to this method. According to Business Insider, your body naturally produces higher amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which regulates energy, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. So for most people, the best time to drink coffee is after 9:30 a.m.
6. Keep the Lights Off
An article in the Huffington Post encourages taking in sunlight when you first wake up to reset your body's internal clock. If you wake up and it's still dark out, try turning on a few lights. In the article, Michael Grandner, a psychiatry instructor at the University of Pennsylvania suggests turning on a very strong light, such as those used to treat seasonal affective disorder.
7. Ditch The Routine
It might be nice to "go with the flow" when you wake up but not sticking to your routine can use up some serious brain power. According to the Business Insider, Scientists say our willpower is limited, and when we expend it early on in the day trying to decide what to do next, we have less left later in the day when we need to concentrate on work.