Early mornings are my superpower ✨ here's how you can harness the magic of mornings
Early mornings are my superpower ✨ here's how you can harness the magic of mornings
And a quick yoga routine for a happier back
Oh hello there! It’s Melissa from Grow Healthier + Happier. I’m loving the growth in my lil’ happy wellness publication on Substack. It’s a world of possibility here! Subscribe today to start creating your personal ‘holistic wellness lifestyle’.
If there was a magic happiness and productivity pill you could take every morning, would you?
What if your morning routine was a source of vibrant energy for the day?
Ok, so there is no such thing as a magic happiness pill, but there are some things that you can do in the morning to set your day up for energy, success and joy.
"Happiness is not a destination, it is a journey." - Zig Ziglar
A good morning can equal a fabulous rest of your day!
Even if you are already a morning person, my hope is that some of these tips will help you maximize your potential in the morning.
Can I tell you a secret? I think that my early mornings are my superpower!
The first thing I do in the morning is a short guided meditation to wake me up. I used to click on Facebook or Instagram and scroll to wake myself up, but I would too often scroll for 20-30 minutes, which just made me feel icky.
I talk about my routine of meditation first thing in a short two-minute audio here:
This study found that morning people are generally more proactive than night owls. This can lead to getting more focused work done, whether that is your passion projects, your business, or even a good morning workout session.
Now, be honest: Do you ever wake up later than you wish or stumble out of bed in a rushed and frustrated morning?
Rushing in the morning tends to put me into stress mode, and that is NOT how I want to start my day.
An early (or at least a structured) morning can cultivate success.
From my experience, I am indeed happier for waking up early. I can start the day doing something I love instead of rushing around getting ready for work.
That being said, we are all different!
What about the night owls? Is evening your successful morning happy start?
Yes, early mornings are quiet and peaceful, but late evenings are also quiet after dinner is cleaned up and the kids go to bed. I would suggest that you give early mornings a decent try if you want to shake things up and try a new morning routine. If you are seriously just a night owl by nature, then you can maximize your evenings instead of mornings. For the purpose of this post, I’ll keep the focus on the AM.
If you want to try and start morning practices for more happiness and a better, more productive day, start here ⬇️
To start a new habit, I believe the first thing we should do is to define our why.
So, ask yourself this question: Why do I want to start a new morning routine?
What’s your answer?
Once you have your answer, then ask yourself why that is your answer. This helps you to dig a little deeper.
For example, I recently revamped my daily routine across the board. I struggle with focus, which works against me as I try to stay consistent in my writing.
I made a goal to get myself on track with my daily routine. That wasn’t enough. I had to know my why before I could make my goal a reality.
My why for changing my daily routine is to gain optimal focus time for writing so that I can be one step closer to making an online income that would allow me to leave my day job. That’s the dream.
If you want to start a morning routine to set yourself up for more happiness and success, this is what I would do first ⬇️.
Start in the evening.
If you want to try this in baby steps, set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier than your normal wake-up time. You can set it a little earlier each day until the habit is solidified.
Record how it feels in your journal. Does getting up earlier increase your productivity? Does it make you happier?
Adjust as it fits your needs.
✨ Morning magic tips ✨
Set your alarm with intention. ⏰ Think about your why for waking early and choose a time that isn’t the usual… Something like 4:57 AM or 5:03 AM, or maybe 6:21 AM. If you have a lucky or favorite number add that into the mix. Choosing these oddball times may help with some urgency to get up and help you to not snooze the alarm.
Choose an uplifting, happy alarm sound. 🎶
Upon waking, take a few minutes to stretch, do yoga, or meditate to start your day with a clear mind. Five minutes of each will invigorate you. I like to pull my knees to my chest first thing in the morning, then do a full-body stretch right in bed.
Make your bed as soon as you get up. This can give you a sense of accomplishment right away.
Having a healthy breakfast that includes protein is essential for starting my day with the energy I need. Consuming 20-30 grams of protein at breakfast can help stabilize blood sugar levels and increase feelings of fullness. I usually don’t experience snack cravings when my breakfast is rich in protein.
Take a moment each night to plan your upcoming day. 📅 Waking up with a clear agenda sets a positive tone and clears your mind, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. This is probably the most important thing I can do for myself for early morning focus. I keep my task list short and focused with no more than 3 priorities for the day, usually working on just one of those in the early AM.
If you are indeed working on your side hustle or passion projects in the early morning, and you have trouble with focusing like me, try a focus timer. I use Insight Timer. I choose a focus sound, set the timer and then work on one thing during that timer session! This is the one thing that has worked for me to stay on task.
Listen to music that uplifts you and makes you happy while you go about your morning. Dance it out for an added boost.
How about a favorite podcast to set the tone for the morning?
Take a walk or do light exercises to get your blood flowing and release endorphins. Even 5 to 10 minutes can make a difference. 🚶
Gratitude. Take a few minutes and write down 1-3 things that you are grateful for. I know you’ve heard this tip over and over, but it really works. It will help you start your day with a positive attitude.
Take a few moments to immerse yourself in something uplifting or motivational. Consider using Google to search for inspiring articles, quotes, or personal stories. 📖 Or pick up an inspirational book from your book collection and dive into a few passages that resonate with you. Embrace the positive energy and let it refresh your spirit! I keep several inspirational books at my bedside, so I have them in sight and easy to access.
Set a positive intention for the day. As a bonus, write it down and take it with you wherever you go in case you need a reminder of your intention throughout the hectic day.
These yoga movements save my back (video below). 🧘 I do these every morning to help offset the sitting that I do at my day job.
I hope these tips have given you some inspiration for a fresh AM routine!
What’s your morning practice?
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ICYMI:
Cheers to my dear readers!
I love my morning yoga routine. I do it for the same reason, getting my back ready for another day.
I like your idea of starting the night before to prep your morning. That’s how I do it. I unroll my yoga mat before I go to bed. I prep my teapot and set out a cup. I put my journal and a pen out.
If I eliminate as many obstacles as possible, I’ve got less excuses to be lazy. All I need to do is get up and stumble into my carefully laid plans.
If someone had told me there would be a time when I'd cherish morning routines, I would have suggested they see a doctor. Fast-forward to now, and it’s become the most essential part of my day. A cup of coffee, my journal, and a walk to end it perfectly!