A successful morning routine can really set you up for the day, so it’s crucial that you know how to curate the perfect routine to help fuel your day. Obviously, everyone is different and morning routines will differ from person to person, but there are some common mistakes that can really disrupt your morning and affect your mood and productivity for the rest of the day.
That’s why we’re going to take a look at 7 mistakes you’re making with your morning routine.
#1 Choosing an Annoying, Disruptive Alarm
Body clocks are fickle and unpredictable systems, which is why an alarm is essential for making sure you get up on time. Many people are under the impression that an annoying alarm that makes you want to smash your clock is the best alarm, but it’s not.
In fact, the unpleasant shock of an irritating alarm will just wake you up stressed and put you in a bad mood. Instead, you want to choose something that has gentle, soft sounds and gradually increases in volume. This will allow you to come out of sleep more naturally and peacefully.
#2 Relying on the Snooze Button
At 6 in the morning, the snooze button may appear to be man’s best friend; after all, an extra 10 minutes isn’t going to hurt, is it? However, it can actually do you more harm than good.
Firstly, there’s the chance you’ll hit the off button in your sleepy state and wake up hours later. Secondly, those extra 10 minutes are just going to frustrate you as it won’t be high quality sleep and it’s just delaying the inevitable getting up. Thirdly, and finally, the snooze button disrupts your body clock as you need to be getting up at the same time every day to promote natural sleep cycles.
#3 Avoiding Breakfast
If there’s one step in the morning routine that you should never miss, it’s breakfast. Sure, it’ll save you a few minutes, but, ultimately, it could cost you a lot throughout the rest of day.
After all, several hours sleep means that your body hasn’t taken any new nutrients on board over that period of time. And, if you want to kick start your day effectively, you need to stoke your engine with fuel.
Aim to take on a balanced, healthy meal which contains carbs, protein and fats e.g. muesli, fruit and milk. This will ensure you leave the house bursting with energy and ready to take on the world.
#4 Unhealthy Coffee
We all know that the natural caffeine in coffee provides a great pick me up and can really help start your morning routine, but it’s also packed full of polyphenols which are loaded with health benefits. In particular, polyphenols can protect against UV light, reduce inflammation and promote healthy blood pressure.
However, if you’re adding cream and sugar to coffee then you’re undoing all these health benefits the moment you start gulping down your coffee. And, with all that processed sugar and saturated flowing through your system, it’s going to make you feel lethargic instead of ready to take on the world.
#5 Exercising Right Away
Leaping out of bed and straight into your gym clothes may seem admirable and prove your determination, but it’s a foolhardy move. Whilst exercise should certainly feature in a successful morning routine, you need to integrate it carefully.
The body needs fuel to exercise and, after several hours sleep, your body is likely to be out of gas. This makes exercise much more difficult and stressful, so make sure you have a light breakfast or at leasts drink some water and get hydrated before trying to burn those calories.
Additionally, launching into exercise so early when your head isn’t fully clear puts you at a risk of an injury. And there’s nothing like a sprained ankle and a trip to ER to ruin your morning routine! Therefore, give yourself a little time to wake up and increase your alertness.
#6 Checking Your Email
These days, your entire professional and personal life runs through your phone. And, seeing as everyone keeps their phone next to their bed at night, it’s the first thing people reach for in the morning. Now, whilst this is convenient, it can also be very disruptive.
You see, it’s very tempting to check your emails as part of your morning routine, but doing this straightaway is a big mistake. Not only could you struggle to understand your emails in your dazed state, but if you receive a troublesome email then it immediately gets your day off to a bad start.
Instead, leave your emails until you’ve eaten breakfast and are in the right frame of mind to start tackling any problems.
#7 Not Sticking to a Morning Routine
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make with their morning routine is that they simply don’t stick to a firm routine. And, by skipping a step here and there or constantly rearranging the steps, you’ll find it increasingly difficult to get the most out of your morning routine.
Inconsistency breeds sloppiness and a sloppy morning routine can have a real impact on the rest of your day. You need to leave the house with your body and mind fully charged to take on everything the world has to throw at you. The best way to achieve this is through a familiar routine that you know will get real results.
