How to Start Your Day Off Right


Waking up in the morning usually isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially if you have a long, tedious workday ahead of you. Starting your day off the right way can improve your mindset and boost your mood. Depending on how your morning goes, it can make or break your whole day.

That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success by getting your morning started in the right way. Creating a healthy routine can boost your mood, increase energy and help you stay focused. Find a morning routine that works for you and your schedule that will help you feel ready to take on the rest of the day.

Eat a Good Breakfast

Eating breakfast should be an obvious start to your morning, but it’s also important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to fuel your body for the day.

If you have a long day in front of you, make sure you’re getting a good mix of healthy fats, protein and complex carbs. Complex carbs such as whole grains take longer to digest in your body than simple carbohydrates, making them a better choice to ensure your energy levels stay stable throughout the day.

The wrong foods, such as sugary cereals, can give you a quick rush of energy followed by a crash, making you prone to mindless snacking and sluggishness.

If you’re short on time in the morning, a good option is a smoothie. Smoothies are great on the go and can be totally customized to your liking. You can also mix in a health supplement such as Activated You Morning CompleteOpens in a new tab. to sneak in some added nutrients.

Eggs are a good source of protein and there are multiple ways to eat them, but if you’re looking for a quick breakfast, try make-ahead egg cups. Egg cups can be kept in the freezer for months and are easy to grab and reheat. You can even make breakfast tacos or burritos with scrambled eggs, which are perfect to add in avocado for a healthy fat.

Oats are a popular choice for breakfast because they help keep you full, digest slowly to give you long-lasting energy, help control blood sugar and are very versatile. Although you may be familiar with hot oatmeal or overnight oats, you can also bake oats into bars or breakfast cookies.

No matter what breakfast you choose, try to mix as many nutrients in as possible to help give you a balanced, filling breakfast.

Get Active

If you have time in the morning, getting active can help wake up your body and mind. If you’re on a fitness journey, working out in the morning also has amazing health benefitsOpens in a new tab.. Morning workouts can lead to healthier food choices throughout the day and is linked to controlling appetite.

In general, exercise is shown to increase energy, improve focus and boost your mood, which will all help you feel your best for the day.

A simple walk around your neighborhood will help get your blood pumping and clear your mind. If you want to stay inside, yoga is another great option to add to your morning routine. As an added benefit, yoga includes a lot of stretching, which is recommended in the morning to increase circulation and release tension.

Poses like cat and cow, downward dog or mountain pose are gentle enough to do first thing in the morning and are effective to wake up your mind and body.

If you find it hard to get up in the morning or can’t find motivation to get active, try setting out your workout clothes next to your bed the night before or prep an especially enticing breakfast as a reward after you’re done.

No matter how you choose to get active, it can significantly improve your day.

Don’t Overload on News

Although getting your news is important, information overload is a very real problem that can leave you feeling drained and helpless. Studies show that overconsumption of news can have detrimental effects on your mental healthOpens in a new tab..

With the news right at your fingertips on your laptop or smartphone, it can be hard to stay away from it. However, the news can be overwhelming, and reading it as soon as you wake up can put you in the wrong headspace.

Especially in the morning, it can be hard to avoid the news. Whether you’re watching TV for traffic updates or to check the weather, listening to the radio or browsing social media, you’re bound to hear some sort of daily news, but try not to seek it out or read too far into any headlines.

Make a concentrated effort to reduce your consumption of news as you wake up by turning off any news alerts on your phone and avoiding social media until you feel you’re ready to mindfully consume news.

If you like to have some background noise on while you get ready, find an informational podcast that focuses on positive stories or self-help.

Setting aside an allotted amount of time to read, listen to or watch the news can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by it. Try setting a time limit on your news source of choice on your smartphone or setting an alarm.

When you are reading the news, make sure to do so mindfully. Assess your headspace and make sure you have the mental space to deal with any upsetting stories or headlines. One danger of finding news through scrolling on social media is finding a particularly hard-hitting or emotional story that you’re not prepared to handle at that moment.

Be mindful of what kind of information you’re getting during your morning routine, and make sure it will put you in the right headspace and improve your mood instead of dampening it.

Take Time for Yourself

Giving yourself time to prepare for your day can be a simple way to make your day a lot better.

Whether that means taking some time to reflect on what you’re grateful for, prioritizing your tasks for the day or simply envisioning what your day is going to be like, preparing for your day can help you understand what’s going to happen and plan for anything that might throw your day off.

If you often find yourself overwhelmed with trying to plan for your day or struggling to prepare, consider investing in a planner to get organized and manage your time. Making sure you’re getting everything you need to done and keeping your priorities straight can help you hold yourself accountable and reduce feelings of stressOpens in a new tab. throughout your day.

Preparing for your day may also mean finding what you’re going to wear, taking some time for self-care and hygiene and making lunch or breakfast. However you need to prepare for your day, make time to plan and prioritize to make the most out of your day.

While there’s no literal way to “get up on the right side of the bed,” there are ways to start your morning off on the right foot. Making sure you’re in a positive mindset to crush your goals for the day and finding ways to wake up your mind and body that you enjoy can make all the difference on how you tackle your day.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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