A productive day begins the moment you wake up, even before you get out of bed. From planning your day to having the right breakfast, setting up a productive day starts in the morning. Here are some great tips to help ensure a great day and get back on track!
When it comes to waking up, there are generally two types of people. There are the cheerful ones who wake up full of energy and a big smile, ready to embrace the new day. Then, there are the grumpy, sleepy ones who wake up with messy hair, slow movements, and often in a bad mood.
Regardless of which type you are, a new day is a fresh start that you control. You can move from being grumpy to cheerful or maximize your morning energy for a productive day in several ways.
Hitting the snooze button can be tempting, but try not to give in! Those extra minutes of sleep can actually do more harm than good. When you snooze, your body begins a new sleep cycle, and waking up from it can lead to sleep inertia, characterized by grogginess and impaired alertness, which can last for two to four hours according to research from Harvard Medical School. This makes it harder to perform even simple tasks because your body still thinks it’s in a sleep state.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it refuels your body after fasting overnight. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health states that breakfast provides the energy and nutrients that increase concentration and prevent a mid-morning slump. It also helps with managing a healthy body weight, as skipping breakfast often leads to overeating later and snacking on sugary and fatty foods.
A quick and healthy breakfast can be prepared easily by combining items from three categories: bread and grain, milk and milk products, and fruit or vegetables.
Interestingly, Michelle Gass, the former president of Starbucks and current chief merchandising and customer officer at Kohl’s, didn’t rely much on caffeine. For the past 15 years, she has been waking up at 4:30 a.m. to run. Exercise increases productivity because it energizes and helps you focus. So, sneak in a short workout for an energy boost after waking up. Opt for exercises that use your body weight, requiring no equipment at all. For example, try three sets of 1-minute jogging in place, 10 push-ups, 10 squats, 10 jumping jacks, and 10 lunges on each leg. You can also find quick workout templates on mobile apps that are easy to download.
Believe your day is going to be awesome. Changing your mindset in the morning can set a positive tone for your entire day. Positive thinking can make you feel less stressed, more energized, and cheerful. Motivational speaker Tony Robbins suggests doing an “Hour of Power” every morning. Frame your day positively for good motivation, and you might find yourself accomplishing your tasks with a lighthearted attitude.
Upon waking up, have an idea of what your day will look like. Andrea Allen, a writer from Resumes Planet, usually plans her day while eating breakfast. For her, having her goals set before starting her tasks gives her a clear picture of her schedule and what needs to be addressed first. Feeling focused and organized with a planned day helps her navigate through her tasks, easily checking off accomplishments as the day progresses.
The morning is the best time to take charge of your day while you feel refreshed from sleep. Starting the day in a good mood can positively affect the rest of your day. So, get out of bed, try at least two of these tips, and have a nice day ahead!