Optimize Your Morning Routine

Most people do not realize the importance of a productive morning routine. Whether you have several tasks to accomplish, have to go to work, or have class, a motivated morning will help you set up your day for success. A sluggish and slow morning will make you feel less productive, and lazy. Optimize your morning routine, find yourself feeling more productive and motivated, by following these tips.

1. Consistency is key

Setting a consistent sleep and wake up time is essential in getting a good nights rest. Making sure you get consistent good sleep will give you more energy, resulting in you feeling more productive. I am not saying you have to wake up at 5 a.m. every morning, but just set a consistent time that will give you enough time to finish everything you need to during the day.

2. Hydrate

Drink water right after you wake up. This will cleanse your colon after a long nights rest of no food. Your digestive system will absorb more nutrients from the food you eat, after it has rid itself of all its toxins. Plus, staying hydrated will make you feel better mentally and physically.

3. Make your bed

Make your bed right after you get out of it, so you're not tempted to get back into it. Plus, organization is key to productivity. The sooner you start organization skills, the more likely you will be to have a productive day.

4. Limit phone usage

Not only does being on your phone in the morning take up a lot of time, but it is unproductive. Plus, if you see something negative, that will impact your mood for the whole day. Focus on the positives and yourself in the morning, not others social lives. Rather than using social media, try journaling or writing a to-do list.

5. Get moving

I know I stressed the importance of movement in my last blog post, but incorporating movement in the morning will help you wake up, release endorphins, and make you feel motivated for the rest of the day. Whether it be a 5-10 minute walk, stretches, yoga, or a workout class, get yourself moving and optimize your morning routine for productivity.

Be consistent with your sleep and wake time, hydrate once you wake up, make your bed, limit phone usage, and get moving every morning and find yourself feeling more motivated and productive throughout the day.

The Importance of Movement

Stop feeling frustrated when you hear things like, "get your daily exercise." There's actually very little that needs to be involved in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Understanding that it's about movement, and the importance of it. It's not about running 5 miles a day, or bench pressing heavy weight. I mean, these things are also normal workout regimens, but not necessary if you dread working out. The demands of a healthy lifestyle can be far less taxing and can fit your fitness level.

Getting movement in every day is is essential in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Whether it's going on a walk, doing daily stretches or yoga, add these things to your daily routine and you'll find yourself feeling a lot better. Movement provides us with the most crucial and essential parts of our health. Movement gives us healthy joints, strong bones, physical strength, good circulation, and mental well-being. Not only does movement improve body function, but it helps with a healthy mind as well.

Finding the importance of movement, has opened up a whole new world of capabilities for me. After my back surgery, I was very restricted regarding what I could do. For six weeks I could not bend, or lift anything heavier than 10 lbs. I was as stiff as a board. I lost muscle, mobility and a healthy state of mind. As a means of recovery, I was told to start slowing implementing daily walks to strengthen the muscles in my lower back. I also started physical therapy to aid in this process. Slowly adding movement to my routine has helped immensely.

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning, like at all. It's getting colder, darker, and seasonal depression is upon us. But, I got my ass out of bed, and went for a walk in the woods because the sun was shining. I didn't have to go for a 5 mile run, all's I needed was some movement and fresh air.

Change your perspective about getting healthy, and understand that it's not all about rigorous workouts. If you're simply just not one of those people, that's okay. Start small, with the importance of movement and implementing it into your daily life. You WILL feel better.

Motivation & Perspective

I have sat down to write several times now, have numerous drafts saved that just don't seem to correctly portray how I am feeling, and lost a draft due to internet connection going out. But, today is the day. I am forcing myself to write.

The last time I posted was in March 2020, the beginning of COVID. Since then, I have suffered a severe back injury resulting in surgery, mental health problems, deaths in the family and of pets, and much more. Despite this, I graduated from Geneseo at the end of the summer. I learned from my time at Geneseo, that I actually struggle with depression and anxiety a lot more than I had thought. For the past year and eight months, I have been fighting a constant battle with myself, on top of all the other things going on in my life.

So, what brought me to finally write? Well, I am forcing myself to get out of this rut. There are hard times before, currently, and ahead. But forcing myself to be motivated and changing my perspective going forward will help ease those harder days. I could continue to let the hard days get the best of me, and bring me down. Or, I could change my perspective and focus on how to grow from hard days. Forcing myself to be motivated, will get me moving towards my goals. Changing my perspective, will bring a new view to life I have never had before.

Discipline and consistency are important with these two concepts. Making sure I follow through, and staying constant will set me up for success.

Happy November! I hope this new month brings peace, happiness, and more motivation!