A morning routine is the best way to set your intention for the day. Many of the world’s most accomplished individuals attribute a solid morning routine to their success. Here are a few habits you may want to adopt to start your day off right!

How you spend the first few hours of your day sets the tone for how your day unfolds The standard of stumbling out of bed once the alarm clock goes off, picking up your phone to see what’s been missed overnight, whether it be emails or social media, and chugging a cup of coffee may not be the way to put your best foot forward. The most successful people in the world attribute having a morning routine filled with gratitude, movement, and mindfulness to their success. Read on if you’d like to learn how to start your day off as the most productive and efficient version of yourself!

#1 Create a Morning Routine

If you don’t have a morning routine, create one. That’s the first step to starting your day off right. It’s hard to be successful when you need to meander through your morning without a purpose. For some, that may be a cold shower, a quick workout, or journaling. For others, it’s meditation, followed by yoga and a showing of gratitude. Whichever discipline resonates with you, choose it, create it, and stick with it. To see the benefits of any new practice, consistency is critical.

#2 Clear your Mind  

You want to start your day off with a clear, calm mind devoid of stress. For many, this means starting their day with 10 minutes of meditation. Meditation helps reduce mental stress, boosts self-awareness, and soothes the mind. Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, starts every day with 20 minutes of mindfulness upon waking. She uses that time to reflect on what she wants to accomplish that day. Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s former CEO, meditates for 30 minutes every morning before going for his daily 6-mile run.

#3 Get your Sweat On 

We all know the benefits of a daily exercise routine. It leads to increased cardiovascular health, lowered stress, and keeps the body flexible and strong. When you exercise in the morning, you get the added benefit of feeling mentally strong and accomplished before you start your day. Whether you choose running, lifting weights, swimming, or cycling, pick something you enjoy and do it regularly.

The University of Bristol conducted a study that found daily morning exercisers are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and more energy than those who don’t work out for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine, and many others start their day with intentional movement.

#4 Practice Gratitude 

Most of us know by now that gratitude plays a part in our emotional well-being. Saying thank you to the universe for all that we have can be life-changing for some, as it puts a new perspective on all that is done. It is only when we appreciate where we are on our journey that we have attained an abundance mindset. A daily practice of gratitude will help shift your perspective in a more positive direction.

#5 Rise with The Sun

In 2008 a study published by the Journal of General Psychology found that early risers are more productive than their night owl counterparts. Most successful people identify themselves as early birds, getting up at 5 a.m. to get a head start on their day. This gives them an extra few hours for reflection, deep work, physical fitness, and self-care. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, wakes daily at 3:45 a.m. to finish the most important part of his day before the rest of the world rises. Awakening with the sun is a great way to start your day, be more productive, and ensure you have time for you.

#6 Read More

Reading is the best way to keep challenging yourself mentally and stay sharp. You can’t deny the benefits of flexing your mental muscle as you age. A study by Sussex University found that even a mere six minutes of daily morning reading can reduce stress levels by 68%. Evidence also shows that reading daily boosts cognitive activity in the brain, keeping your mind flexible and sharp. The best time to read is when you’ll do it habitually. Bill Gates and Barack Obama begin their mornings with a few minutes of reading to help set their intention for the day.  

#7 Hydrate with H2O 

It seems simple, but most of us don’t do it. Reaching for a glass of water will do your body much better than a piping hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Hydration is a critical component of health and wellness. Water flushes toxins from our bodies, regulates body temperature, and lubricates our joints. Overnight our bodies dehydrate, and when we wake up, we’re craving that hydration fix. A cool glass of H2O will give your body everything it needs. As an added benefit, you’ll have healthy glowing skin and jump-start your metabolism.

#8 Eat a Protein-Packed Breakfast

Most adults rush out the door in the morning without a second thought about eating breakfast. For those who make it a habit to eat, most choose something sugary and quick alongside their cup of morning coffee. Taking the time to eat something healthy and filling will go much further than you think. When you eat a well-balanced breakfast, you start your day with energy for whatever may come. Make smoothies or overnight oats if you don’t have time for an elaborate breakfast. They are both power packed with vitamins and minerals.

#9 Plan your Day the Night Before

Preparing your to-do list for the next day the night before is one of the best productivity habits you can create. Those 5 to 10 minutes of planning ahead can be life-changing for many people. The reason? When you plan your schedule out the day before, you can make sure you plan for what you need and what you want. This way, you don’t waste time every morning figuring out what needs to get done. This helps create efficiency. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, is a big believer in planning his schedule the night before. This gives him time for himself daily, so he feels rejuvenated and ready to give back to those around him.

Whether you’re a freelancer who works remotely, an executive who’s in the office every day, or an entrepreneur enjoying the freedom of being your own boss, creating morning habits is a great way to set your day up for success. At Opus Virtual Offices, we do our best to ensure that your business runs smoothly and efficiently, helping you succeed in your endeavors. We offer many services, including digital mail sorting, inbound/outbound call transfer, live call answering, and many more, so that you can focus on your to-do list and leave the rest to us. With over 650 offices throughout the U.S., we have a place for you wherever you want to expand your business.