The alarm clock goes off. You roll out of bed, and stumble downstairs for a cup of coffee. After a couple of sips, you get in the shower or just get dressed. Eventually, you brush your teeth and hair and head out the door. About the time the engine turns on in the car, you’re awake enough to drive.

 

It’s all on autopilot. And none of it is improving your day.

 

Here are a few things you can add to your morning routine to help you have a better day, every day.

 

  • Start your day with a glass of water. Before coffee, a glass of cold water will help hydrate your body and brain. This is almost as powerful as taking a vitamin or drinking a giant coffee. Dehydration is a chronic issue for millions of Americans. Start with water.
  • Sit down and write out your plan for the day. If you spend 15 minutes every morning writing out what you’re going to do, your entire day will be more organized. Put this in your planner or on your mobile phone. That will make it easy for you to refer to all day long.
  • Meditation sounds difficult, but there are thousands of videos, books, audio files, and more that you can use in the morning. Essentially, take the time to calm your mind in the morning and it works better for you all day long.
  • No, you are not allergic to exercise. You don’t have to hit the gym for four hours before going to work. Even 20 minutes on a treadmill, exercise bike, or even *GULP* a walk outside can energize your body for the whole day.
  • A cup of coffee is not breakfast. Neither is the tasty, greasy hockey puck you get at the drive-thru. Go for something that includes a lot of plants and fiber. You need long-lasting energy that will keep you going throughout the day.
  • If you can’t exercise, at least take five minutes to stretch your muscles. Even a few minutes of stretching will help to energize your muscles and make the day easier. Of course, yoga is great, but you don’t need to do any entire set of yoga. A few simple stretches will work.
  • Capture your anxieties. Morning is a good time to tackle your anxieties. You’re strong, clear-headed and ready for the day. Write your anxieties down so you can see them. Once they’re out of your head, you can handle them. They look much smaller when you write them down.
  • Take a cold shower. A hot shower might seem like a great idea, but it’s not as energizing as a cool or cold shower. The cold helps to push blood into your brain and your core, delivering the energy your body will need to get through the day.

 

Wake up every morning with intention. Rather than just rolling through the morning and giving your first real thoughts to your job, give your first thoughts to yourself and your day.

 

Plan your day well and it will go better. You’ll be more relaxed and happy. You’ll be less likely to get flustered.