There’s nothing more refreshing as a productive morning routine to set you up for a successful day.
Try this energising morning routine for a great start to the day. This routine has all the key elements needed to set you up for a productive day: hydration, sustenance, exercise and order.
You can do this routine in any order that suits you, however I have written it in the order that suits my lifestyle.
Prerequisites
There are some prerequisites to this routine to be carried out the night before to set you up for the following day.
1. Set out your clothes for the following day. This way you will be prepared, everything you need will be ironed, laid out and ready to be put on, no messing.
2. Put a load of washing on overnight. If you have a delay timer on your machine, even better, as you can time it to finish shortly before you are due to get up. Recent research suggests that it is both more energy efficient to run your washing machine (and dishwasher) overnight, and that it is better for the environment as there is less strain on the grid in the early hours of the morning.
3. Wash out the kitchen sink, and wipe down the kitchen sides. This way you come downstairs to a kitchen that is in order in the morning, it’s a wonderful feeling.
4. Load up and turn on the dishwasher. See point 2 above.
And last but not least … Go to bed at a reasonable time and cut out phone time for a minimum of half an hour before bed.
The Benefits
There are many benefits to the routine detailed below:
You are able to keep on top of your washing and you will be saving energy.
An empty dishwasher for you to put items in immediately instead of them hanging around on the side.
No trying to use brain power deciding what to wear as already planned out.
Your body is hydrated immediately when you wake up.
You are energised from morning exercise.
You are prepped for dinner that night, no wondering what to cook.
You are in control and organised, setting you up for the day ahead.
Morning Routine
Get up and make your bed – Making your bed puts closure on being asleep, and you will also have a nicely made bed to snuggle into that evening for when the day is done. A good way to think about this element of the routine is as a ritual to end nighttime and welcome daytime, like a big welcome to the day.
Sort out washing and empty dishwasher – Whether you hang your washing on an airer or transfer it to a dryer, these two tasks should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and clears both machines for the day. This way you can fill dishwasher throughout the day instead of leaving dirty dishes in the sink. If you have a large family or a lot of washing, you may wish to put on another load of washing on as soon as you empty it first thing in the morning to keep the washing flowing through.
Hydrate – Drink, drink and drink some more. Try and steer clear of over-caffeinating yourself in the morning. My guilty pleasure is one cup of caffeinated tea first thing in the morning when I first wake up, then onto decaffeinated black tea after that. Decaf tea and coffee can also count towards your daily water intake, however water is the better option.
Do some exercise – Gentle or vigorous exercise, the choice is yours. I do 30 minutes of yoga every morning using YouTube videos. There are many free guided exercise routines on YouTube, i have even carried out hip-hop dance exercise videos to get my blood pumping in the morning. For those days I am feeling particularly lethargic when I get up, completing 30 minutes of yoga sorts me right out and energises me significantly.
Have a healthly breakfast – Eat a well balanced breakfast. Eggs, avocado, fruit and nuts are good choices and full of energy. Try and stear clear of sugary breakfast cereals.
Get dressed, including hair and makeup – Try putting your footwear on after you have finished getting dressed. Putting footwear on will trick your mind that you are about to leave the house, even if you are not going to, and will energise you. I suggest fixing yiur hair and putting on makeup (if applicable), even if you are home all day, as it will make you feel good about yourself. I’m not saying slap on a full face of makeup or spend hours doing your hair, I’m talking about doing yourself up enough to make you feel good.
Check what’s for dinner and prep – Take what you need out of the freezer for dinner that night, cut up any veg (potatoes need to be kept in water) and put any pantry items needed for dinner on side ready. When you get home in the evening, you will already be prepared for dinner. You will also know in the morning if there is an ingredient you are missing so you can pick it up in the day rather than being railroaded when you come to make dinner in the evening as one of the key ingredients is missing. Also, your slow cooker is your best friend, try and utilise this wonderful piece of kitchen equipment at least once a week.
Check your calendar and mentally prepare for the day – Carry out a last minute check to make sure you have what you need for the day and review the upcoming couple of days. Looking ahead a couple of days is a good routine to get into so you always know what is on the horizon and can sort out any errands relating to calendar appointments and tasks in advance.
Go! – Have a wonderful day, full of energy and productivity.
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