Setting a Morning Routine

Many successful people say that having a morning routine has been key to their achievements. Having such a routine offers many benefits, such as increased productivity, reduced stress, more control of your day, and the opportunity to start your day well. This time, anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes first thing in the morning, looks different for everyone.

This article from LifeHack offers a “menu,” as the author puts it, of options that you might like incorporating into your morning routine. From a holistic view, there are four Integrative Wellness principles: Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual. Some ideas are exercising or doing yoga, keeping a gratitude journal, being in nature, or finding ways to connect with your loved ones. By choosing a couple of these items in the morning, you can easily create a routine. Or, test out a couple combinations until you find what is right for you!

From Science of People, some famous examples to inspire us:

• Jane Austen would wake up and immediately play the piano, make breakfast with her family, then write.
• Former President Obama always does his cardio and weight routine, followed by breakfast with his daughters.
• Arianna Huffington begins each day with yoga and meditation.
• Steve Jobs would contemplate this philosophical question, “If today were my last day on earth what would I do differently?”

Now is a great time to set this healthy habit!