Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
During my human resources career, one thing I’ve become protective of is my morning routine. I’ve spent much of my career in 24/7/365 industries, so it was very likely that when I arrived at work, my schedule could be completely changed because of something happening while I wasn’t there. You get where I’m coming from. The only thing I could really control was my morning. So, it became very important.
Even now, as a consultant, my morning routine matters but for a different reason. I find that my morning routine helps me to feel better and be more productive. If you’re looking to create a morning routine for yourself or maybe just tweak your current routine, here are a few things to consider.
Determine how much time you have. The first thing to consider is how much time you have because that’s going to drive how much you can do. Creating a morning routine involves allocating time to do those things you want to do. So, be honest with yourself about how much time you’re willing to give.
Create a wake-up routine. Sleep is so important to our wellbeing. Sleep loss can impact our mood and increase stress. To me, a part of the process is falling asleep well and waking up the way I want. Even when we have to set an alarm, it’s always great to wake to sounds we enjoy.
Think about your caffeine. There are tons of jokes and memes about needing caffeine before we can talk to anyone. In all seriousness, we do need to understand the effects of caffeine and what’s best for us. I’m not here to dispense medical advice except to say that understanding what’s good for us can have an impact on our morning routine.
Have breakfast. There’s an old saying about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. And it’s true. Having a nutritious breakfast can positively impact our performance. As you’re creating your morning routine, think about where breakfast fits in … and what makes a good breakfast for you. I love having fruit for breakfast and I feel better when I do.
Decide how much news you need to consume. I will admit it … I’m a news junkie. That being said, there are times when I need to read a little less news and focus on other things. I’ve discovered that my local library offers a subscription to Creativebug, which offers art classes. They have some very short sessions with doodling prompts, etc. Takes less than 5 minutes and it keeps me from doomscrolling.
Know when you like to exercise. Speaking of alternatives to the news, another thing I’m incorporating into my morning routine is activity. I still have a Cubii under my desk and pedal every day. I’m also finding short (around 10 minutes) sessions on Apple Fitness to do some strength work.
Take care of yourself. Because my morning routine is designed to help me feel and perform better, I try to take a moment to do things like apply nail oil, use moisturizer, etc. I’m not really into big elaborate expensive skin care rituals, but I have a few things that I’ve built into my routine, and I feel they produce good results.
Try to fit in something fun. I know we’ve talked about many things to consider, but if you have time, try to add something fun to your routine. It could be listening to your favorite music during breakfast. Or playing a game. It’s amazing how adding just one fun thing can really have a positive impact on the day.
Realize there will be days when you can’t do it all. Last but certainly not least, we have to remember that every once in a while, we’re not going to be able to complete our morning routine. There are days when my morning routine becomes my afternoon routine or sometimes my evening routine. On those days, I just go with it, do what I can, and enjoy my full morning routine the next day.
Again, I’m not suggesting that everyone has to do all of these things. Or even half of these things. But if you’re looking for a way to improve your morning … examining your morning routine could make a difference.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Orlando, FL
The post How to Create a Morning Routine appeared first on hr bartender.
