Four things you must include in your morning routine

Let’s be honest - most people don’t like mornings. If you’re waking up feeling groggy or lacking in motivation, you’re not alone. When you need to be productive, that tired unfocused feeling will have a big impact on the rest of your day. That’s why what you do when you wake up is one of the most important parts of your day. With that in mind, here are some of our favourite ways to start the day right.

Rise and shine

Even though it sounds illogical, waking up earlier than usual will actually make you feel more awake in the morning and throughout the day. While we all like a lie-in during the weekend, you should always prioritise getting up early in the morning on workdays. Not only will this stop you from oversleeping, but it will also give you more free time in the morning for your hobbies. Whether you’re spending more time reading or meeting up with friends, that extra time will be great for your mental health too. Remember though - it doesn’t have to be 5am for you to start feeling the effects of waking up early. Even half an hour before your usual time will keep you feeling fresh.

Exercise

We all know the beneficial mental and physical effects of daily exercise - there’s no secret there. But actually taking the steps in the morning to move your body could potentially transform your mentality for the better. While it might be difficult to drag yourself out of bed every morning to go on a run or cycle, you’ll start feeling a whole lot better if you do. Don’t worry about the level of your exercise either - while heart-pumping movement is good, the benefits of taking a walk around the woods are also great. We suggest setting an alarm, staying committed to your goals and try your very best to fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise each morning.

Mindfulness

We know what you’re thinking - meditation and mindfulness is a topic reserved for hippies. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Meditation is one of the best practices you can get into, helping you to soothe and control your thoughts and drastically improving mental health. We suggest getting up early and spending around 20 minutes closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing. It could be outside in the park or in your bedroom, all you have to do is make sure you’re focused. Think of meditation as an exercise for your brain, setting you up perfectly for the day ahead. 

Eat healthily

A huge amount of people don’t eat after they wake up in the morning. Not only is this bad for your physical health, it’s also bad for your mental health too. Eating at least some food in the morning will stop you from feeling lethargic and actually increase your productivity in the long run. Whether it’s a wheat cereal or a fruit bowl, the type of food you eat is also crucial. In fact, fruit is a great way to get some natural sugar into your mornings and will wake you up. Whatever you do, make sure you avoid those sugary cereals.

Remember - it’s never going to be easy to get up in the morning when you’re used to lying in late. We always suggest slipping into something chic so you can start the day feeling good about yourself. Chi Chi Clothing is one brand that has a variety of gorgeous day dress designs that will help you start your day right.