In the theater of life, mornings take the spotlight as the opening act. Are you unknowingly dimming the lights on your own potential? Let’s find out the 12 things you need to stop doing in the morning, cause your morning determines your entire day.
As the sun peeks over the horizon, a world of possibilities unfolds with the dawn of a new day.
In this journey of self-improvement, we invite you to explore a collection of insights that can redefine the way you approach your mornings.
By letting go of certain habits, you pave the way for a more productive, fulfilling, and vibrant day. Let’s rewrite your morning script together.
"Morning is an important time of the day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have." - Lemony Snicket.
Sometimes it seems upon waking up early you still have an unproductive day. And most times it feels like you have a wasted morning because in a blink of an eye, the morning is gone, and oh! you wonder what have you been doing and so you need a time management routine tip for your mornings?
Well, I am happy you found this article because your morning struggles are over.
We’ll walk you through each habit, uncovering the ‘whys’ and introducing the ‘hows’ of change from the time your alarm clock goes off to that exhilarating sip of morning elixir.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the skills you need to create mornings that move you forward.
12 Things You Need To Stop Doing In The Morning
In this detailed guide, we reveal the 12 unwitting offenders that might be undermining your morning potential.
1. Stop Hitting The Snooze Button
I know it’s not easy to wake up to the set alarm, especially after the day before had been a stressful day. But you know, yesterday is gone.
Morning is a new day to start afresh and make up for the unfinished yesterday and it’s better to start early. So, avoid the temptation of hitting the snooze button when that alarm rings.
2. Avoid Waking up at Inconsistent Times.
Try as much as possible to wake up early and you can only wake up early if you stick to sleeping early.
A good night’s sleep is very important for a productive start. 7-8 hours of sleep every day would help you wake up early and strong.
3. Don’t Get Out of bed With Practicing the Art of Self Meditation
You can start by saying your morning prayers and declaring a word of affirmation for how you intend your day to go. For instance, after your morning prayers and devotion.
Take time to reflect on the devotion you just had. Open your curtains to let the rays of light set it or you can switch on your lights properly.
Stand in your mirror and reaffirm who you are. I am great. I am not mediocre. Meditate for about 5 minutes before you start other routines.
4. Resist the Urge To First Go on Social Media.
Before you are gotten by the digital deluge and overtaken by the dragons of social media, take a moment off to mentally prepare for the day.
5. Resist The Urge to Check Work Emails
The First thing to do in the morning is not to jumble into checking your work emails. Distraction is one of the things you should try as much as possible to avoid in the morning.
Starting the morning by checking emails can disorganize every other morning activity as you would be tempted to reply to them and start working from home. Work emails can wait till you get to work.
6. Stop Skipping Breakfast
Breakfast is one of the very essential meals of the day. One of the most important reasons for eating breakfast is that it increases your energy and concentration level.
Here are some breakfast ideas for a nutritious morning.
i. Pineapple and Cucumber Smoothie.
Pineapple and cucumber both offer unique benefits when included in breakfast, making them valuable additions to your morning meal.
They are rich in vitamin C, aid digestion, and because of their high content of water, they keep you hydrated to maintain a balanced fluid level in your body.
Get the Pineapple-Cucumber Smoothie recipe.
ii. Sausage and Egg Sandwich with Vegetables
Though a sausage and egg sandwich can be a satisfying breakfast choice, because it is time-efficient to make, it’s important to consider portion sizes and the quality of the ingredients.
You can Opt for whole-grain bread or leaner sausage options, and healthfully prepare the eggs (e.g., scrambled) to maximize the benefits of this breakfast option.
iii. Smoothie Bowl
Blend spinach, frozen berries, and banana, together with your Greek yogurt, and a splash of almond milk.
Top it with sliced fruits, nuts, and a sprinkle of granola for a satisfying and nutrient-packed breakfast. mmhh! Yummy (smiles). I know right? Give it a try.
iv. Omelet and Green Vegetables
Whisk eggs with chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, spinach, and mushrooms.
Cook the mixture in a non-stick pan until set and serve with a side of whole-grain toast.
v. Overnight oats
Combine oats with your favorite milk or yogurt, nuts, and fruits. Oats are one of the best breakfast foods for several reasons; they’re filled with fiber, plant-based protein, B vitamins, and minerals(including iron, calcium, and magnesium).
Eating whole oats has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
7. Stop The Intake Of Excessive Coffee
A cup of coffee can indeed be an excellent way to kickstart your morning, nevertheless, excessive caffeine consumption especially on an empty stomach can lead to jitters and energy crashes later in the day.
Instead of coffee, take energizing beverages without caffeine.
8. Stop Stepping Out For The Day Dehydrated
Start your morning with a glass of water to kickstart your metabolism and rehydrate your system.
It is essential because your body needs hydration after hours of sleep.
9. Stop Avoiding Morning Stretching Exercises
Stretch or Practice Yoga. Every morning, stretch your body or engage in a short yoga session to awaken your muscles and improve flexibility.
Practicing this can increase blood flow and provide a sense of rejuvenation.
10. Skipping Your Morning Skin Routine
Self-care rituals can boost your confidence and make you feel more refreshed.
Engage in a simple skincare routine to cleanse and moisturize your face and don’t forget to apply your sunscreen.
11. Avoid Rushing And Stress
Here is a simple morning time management tip: Plan your morning routine the night before to avoid rushing and feeling stressed.
Plan the clothes, shoes, handbags, the breakfast you plan to eat in the morning, the style of the hair you want to make, etc.
Give yourself ample time to complete your morning tasks without anxiety.
12. Avoid Starting the Day Without a Clear To-do List
Making sure to start your day’s activities by setting clear goals and prioritizing for the day in the morning will keep you on track and focused.
Having known the habit to quit in the morning for improved focus and energy. How about you get to know how you can wake up strong in the morning, knowing the first things to do every morning for an effective day?
Overcoming Sleep Inertia can be very difficult and it’s normal to experience sleep inertia.
Most times, you find out that you have a groggy and disoriented feeling upon waking from sleep. Well, that is Sleep inertia. It occurs when the body is abruptly awakened during a deep sleep phase, disrupting the natural sleep-wake cycle.
The inability to overcome sleep inertia is one of the reasons you find it difficult to wake up at the time you set your alarm.
Sleep inertia differs from person to person and can vary in intensity and duration.
Factors like sleep deprivation, sleep disorders, and the sleep-wake cycle’s timing can influence the likelihood of experiencing sleep inertia. Although sleep inertia can affect waking up strong in the morning, it can be overcome.
Wouldn’t you like to take on a little journey with me? On How I wake up strong every morning after the previous day had been stressful.
10 Ways to Wake Up Strong In the Morning
You can wake up strong in the morning by adopting healthy habits and setting a positive morning routine. I group waking up strong into two stages.
The stage of overcoming sleep inertia and the stage of after sleep inertia.
STAGE 1: Overcoming Sleep Inertia
1. Get enough Sleep:
You can get enough sleep by first sleeping on time. Ensure you get enough night’s sleep.
Target getting 7-9 hours of night sleep. Consistency in your sleep schedule would help your body regulate its internal clock.
2. Wake me up gradually:
As much as possible, do not use harsh alarms that jolt you awake. Instead, use a gradual wake-up alarm or a sunrise simulator that mimics natural light to wake you up gently.
3. Create a morning routine:
You can create a morning routine that you look forward to the night before. These can include activities like stretching or meditation.
4. Drink Water:
Even though this is one of the most easy tasks, you find out that you can forget to drink water.
Rehydrating your body by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up helps kickstart your metabolism and replenishes the fluids lost during sleep
5. Avoid Caffeine Immediately:
Delay your morning coffee for at least an hour after waking up. Giving your body time to wake up naturally before reaching for caffeine is important.
6. Morning Shower:
Taking a cold or refreshing shower can invigorate your senses and help you feel more awake.
STAGE 2: After Overcoming Inertia
7. Engage in Light Exercise:
Do a quick workout or some gentle stretching to get your blood flowing and increase your energy levels.
8. Create a Positive Atmosphere:
Add uplifting and positive activities to your morning routine, like playing your favorite music.
9. Mindful Breathing:
Practice deep breathing or meditation to center your thoughts and reduce stress upon waking.
10. Maintain Consistency:
Stick to your morning routine and sleep schedule consistently, even on weekends, to optimize your sleep quality and waking experience.
Conclusion
Finally, going on the road of breaking old habits and creating a more purposeful morning routine is a tremendous testimonial to your dedication to self-improvement and personal growth.
While breaking away from old behaviors may require time and work, the benefits are enormous. Every tiny step you take toward developing a purposeful morning routine helps to improve your overall well-being and achievement.
Your deliberate mornings, like the sunrise, mark the beginning of a new chapter in your life.
So, congrats on this chance to change your mornings and, by extension, your life.
Take advantage of this opportunity, enjoy the process, and let your devotion shine through as you alter your days to reflect your goals and potential.
