We all have bad days every now and then. But if bad days are the norm for you, then it might be time to make a course correction.  While there are a lot of things you could do to guard your time and energy throughout the day, one of the most effective things you can do is just to start your day on the right note.

A good morning routine is something we all need, and our mornings are often a product of our habits.  If you’re ready to level up, try working these five simple habits into the beginning of your day.

Don’t hit the snooze button.

It’s a small act, but that’s exactly why it’s first on this list. A small, meaningful change enacted over time can have a significant impact on what kind of life you lead. When you hit the snooze button, you are literally starting off your day by failing to honor a commitment you made to yourself to get out of bed at a particular time. Getting up when your alarm goes off the first time is an exercise of discipline, with a side effect of punctuality. Wake up on time and begin every morning by honoring yourself, and then build on that momentum.

Don't hit snooze. Wake up on time and begin every morning by honoring yourself. Click To Tweet

Hydrate.

You know what you’re not doing when you’re sleeping? Consuming liquids. Whether you feel thirsty or not, your body is dehydrated after several hours of sleep. Do yourself a favor and down a few glasses of water on an empty stomach within a few minutes of waking up. Water boosts metabolism, aids in digestion, and flushes toxins from the bloodstream, making you better equipped to physically tackle the day ahead.

Skip the screen time.

Barring a true emergency, or perhaps being on call for work, there’s nothing on the TV, phone or tablet that needs your attention the moment you regain consciousness in the morning. News stories, social media feeds, app notifications and emails all have one thing in common: they fill your head with everyone else’s thoughts, leaving no room for your own. So go tech-free for the first 30-45 minutes of your morning. I promise you—it will all be there waiting for your attention once you’re in the right headspace.

Leave the house on time.

Imagine how much frustration you could avoid if you weren’t running late. If you weren’t 10 minutes behind for your morning meeting.  If you actually had time to stop at the coffee shop on the corner to grab a bagel. How would it feel if you could leisurely saunter into your day, instead of rushing? It would be feel amazingly empowering. So try it.

All positive change begins with a shift in perspective. Click To Tweet

Think positive.

What’s the point of changing your habits if you’re going to walk into your day with the same bleak mindset? All positive change begins with a shift in perspective. Set an intention to have a pleasant and productive day from the onset, and your mind will get to work to make it happen. Even if things don’t go as planned, a good attitude can help balance out any negative experiences you  do encounter.

 

Work any of these five habits into your morning for 30 days, and watch the power of good habits improve your mornings.  Before you know it, the good energy you build up each morning will spill over into the rest of your days, and you’ll be on your way to a better life.

Which of these tips are you willing to try? What’s your best tip for starting off your morning? Leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!