If every day feels like a struggle, try these 11 productive things to do in the morning. Set yourself up for success first thing, and you’ll feel less stressed all day.
Building a morning routine is a great way to ensure that the rest of your day is productive and stress-free. In the words of author Tim Ferris, “If you win the morning, you win the day.”
You can choose what to include in your routine based on what makes you feel energized and empowered, and what fits with the time you have. Read on for some manageable tips on how to have a productive morning.
11 Productive Ways To Set Yourself Up For The Day
1. Make your bed
Studies have revealed that making your bed in the morning helps you feel productive throughout the day. This is because checking something off your to-do list creates momentum, and that feeling sticks with you throughout the day.
2. Declutter
I’m not suggesting that you deep clean first thing in the morning, but if you do just a little decluttering and create a clean and organized space, you’ll feel better all day.
Clutter has been proven to cause stress and make it more difficult to be productive. So taking just 5 or 10 minutes to clean your home or desk can make a big difference to how you feel and what you get done throughout the day.
3. Make a plan
Take a quick look at your schedule and make sure you have time for all the appointments and tasks you have planned. (And if not, rearrange your schedule or decide what to put off to a later date.)
Not only will this make you more productive during the day, but it will also take away the stress of not being sure you can get everything done that you need to.
Also, keep in mind that life can be unpredictable (especially with kids!). Make sure you allow extra time between tasks to deal with anything that comes up or just to take a little break and enjoy your coffee in peace.
Related Post: How To Organize Your Day (A Guide For Busy Mums)
4. Skip the morning news
If you get easily overwhelmed, there is nothing wrong with skipping the morning news first thing. You may feel an obligation to be informed, but the morning might not be the best time to do it.
Try keeping the TV off for the morning and instead, put on some upbeat music. You can get caught up on current affairs later, when you’re not trying to get everyone out the door and you’ve got the mental space to deal with it.
5. Turn your morning coffee or breakfast into “you time”
When you become a parent, it can feel like all your “me time” goes out the window. There are always a million things to do for everyone, right?
Trust me, I get it—but here’s the thing: taking time for yourself will actually make you more productive in the long-term. If you wake up just 10 minutes earlier to enjoy your morning coffee or whatever little morning routine you like best without feeling distracted, it can change your whole outlook.
You feel calm, collected and ready to face whatever the world throws at you (even toddlers—ha!).
6. Get dressed
This might be obvious for some but if you’re a work at home or stay at home mom you might need this reminder.
Getting dressed early in the morning kick-starts your day and will make you begin to feel like a real person rather than an overtired zombie. It always makes me feel refreshed and more ready to tackle the day.
You might even want to pick out your clothes the night before so you can get dressed without having to think too much early in the morning. Another way to simplify getting dressed is by dressing with a personal uniform.
7. Stretch
Doing a bit of exercise is a great way to kick off your morning, but not everyone has time for an hour at the gym. (I certainly don’t!) But I do have time for some gentle stretching.
Stretching is a great way to move your body in the morning. Simply touch your toes and raise your arms above your head, or do some light yoga.
This practice slowly wakes up the mind and body, improves posture, increases blood flow, and will help you stay energized throughout the day.
8. Hydrate
We don’t drink water in our sleep, so our bodies get dehydrated. Before you even think about your breakfast or coffee, have a big glass of water. If you want to make it fancy, add a slice of lemon or cucumber for some flavour.
Drinking water first thing in the morning makes you more productive because it increases alertness and fuels your brain.
9. Create time for gratitude and affirmations
I highly recommend starting your day with gratitude, self-love, and other positive affirmations. A healthy mindset is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself, and with practice, it can change your entire life.
There are many ways we can include gratitude into our morning routines, so pick something you enjoy and will be able to do consistently. Things like journaling, meditating or making a gratitude list will help you feel better all day. (Which, in turn, makes you more productive. After all, it’s easier to get things done when you’re in a good space mentally.)
10. Find your right time to wake up
You’ve probably read those articles about the most successful people in the world waking up at 5 am, right? But honestly, I roll my eyes whenever I see these.
The truth is, there’s no universal “right” time to wake up. Try setting your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier than usual one day and see how you feel after waking up at a time that usually feels uncomfortable. If you survive the day, try waking up a little earlier again the next day.
Keep doing this until you find your sweet spot where you feel productive and well-rested after waking up. Alternatively, you might need to wake up a bit later to feel your best.
11. Create a morning routine
All of these tips are completely meaningless if you do them for one day and then give up. Build a productive morning routine that is manageable for you and that allows you to start your day in a way that feels as stress-free as possible.
If you follow a routine that focuses your mind and sets you up for success every day, you will likely feel more equipped for whatever your day throws at you.
Looking For More Productive Things To Do
If you enjoyed these tips for having a productive morning, you might also enjoy:
- 8 Productive Things To Do In 10 Minutes That Will Improve Your Day
- 8 Productive Things To Do At Night For An Easy Morning
- 5 Productive Things To Do At The Start Of The Month (To Take Back Your Time!)
What do you do in the morning to have a productive day? Let us know your tips in the comments!