For centuries, human beings have recognised the importance of getting every day off to a good start. In his famous ‘Meditations’, Marcus Aurelius devoted whole sections to getting out of bed and getting on with things. A host of famous thinkers, creatives and high-achieving executives have since opined on the importance of a good routine in the morning.
If you can establish the right habits for the morning, you can enjoy a whole range of significant benefits.
The Science Behind Morning Routine
The science suggests that we enjoy elevated cortisol levels during the first few hours after we wake. By indulging in a lie-in, we waste precious time – since cortisol is what makes us alert and productive.
By establishing a firm routine, we can shift our circadian rhythms so that we go to sleep at the same time, too – and this ultimately drives up the quality of our sleep, too.
Elements of an Effective Morning Routine
So, what components actually make up a great morning routine? There are a few to consider.
Arguably the most important is a healthy breakfast. This will help to provide you with the energy you need to attack the rest of the day. Your stomach will be empty after a night’s fasting, and so this is an obvious time to fill it. If you’re time-restricting your eating, then you might skip this meal – or, you might skip dinner, instead.
You might also want to provide your body and mind with stimulation. This might take the form of a jog, a session with a weight rack, or five minutes of meditation.
If you need to give yourself an incentive to perform a particular task, then it might be worth looking at why this task is causing you problems, and investing in a few choice upgrades. For example, if getting dressed is stressful and chaotic, then you might look for a bespoke wardrobe that will restore some order to the space.
Tips for Establishing a Consistent Morning Routine
Of course, if you do these things for just one or two weeks, then the benefits will be fairly negligible. A good routine is one that you’re likely to stick with. Once you get to a point where you don’t feel right unless you perform a specific routine, the habits will support you for the rest of your life.
You can do this by setting out particular goals, and by devising a schedule on paper. Work out what you’re going to do immediately after you wake up, and in what order. Then, put it into practice. You can make tweaks as you go along.
Personalisation and Flexibility
Your routine should be adapted to suit your individual quirks and existing habits. You can use someone else’s as a starting point, and then experiment with changes. A little bit of flexibility to begin with can help you to arrive at a routine that suits your needs.