How to Make the Most of Your Morning: 3 Simple Tips for Tomorrow

There are a great many morning routines out there. Every next person is attempting to "sell" you theirs. However, we are all unique in our own way and what works doesn't mean it's the right fit for us per say. The influencers that we see sharing the routines most likely have a different set of values and or goals that they align themselves with. We might resonate with their ideas and reasoning behind why they do what they do.

What we have to learn to do though is to piece together the morning routine that works for us as the unique individuals that we are. We're similar to a fingerprint. One of a kind. We can get lost trying and trying and then moving on or trying again and then giving up because we're not making millions by noon. Yes, we're "supposed to do" deep work for 5 hours and what not. These are just more rules that condition us to believe we need to X, Y, and Z to be somewhat successful. Depends how you view success and what it means to you on a personal level.

What does success mean to me?

Good homework question to contemplate in your journal or a piece of paper for that matter.

I digress, there are tons of routines out there and all of us do certain things in the morning that we could call preparation for the day ahead. I myself do not enjoy waking up and rushing out the door to work. I work towards having less of those days during the year. If I do have one of those rushed mornings, it serves as a reminder or motivation to make sure it doesn't happen again. It inevitably will at some point but you get the gist of what I'm putting across.

What are the things that you value in life?

Are you working in a high stress job?

Do you wake up energized or rely on 5 cups of coffee to get you through the first part of your day?

How much time do you have in the morning before going to work?

The questions can go on and on.

Okay. Here's the three most basic things. Where the third one can be manipulated in any way, shape or from.

1. Drink Water - We've been sleeping the entire night and how body has also been using energy/resources, therefore hydrating upon waking up will improve the way we feel and give our body which includes our brain the nourishment is requires. Half a liter is a good starting point. Working up to a liter over time would be great. There's a noticeable difference. Many people don't drink enough water and getting some of it in during the first part of our day helps prevent us from having to chug a whole lot later in the day and also reducing those night time toilet missions. And if you're struggling with this, attempt to stop consuming liquids after dinner. Experimenting with a cutoff time will vary from person to person.
   

2. Breathwork & Meditation - We all know how challenging it is to sit down and do this. It gets easier over time. Starting small is the road to consistency. 5 minutes of breath work and 5 to 10 minutes of breath meditation. This will help to calm the mind before the day takes a hold of us and sends us into all kinds of directions. When the mind is less busy we feel a sense of calm which is a nice place to operate from. Again, it is a practice though and one should not expect instant results but instead just do the best one can and keep plugging away. Others might notice the effects before we do. Being able to connect and feel one's breath is a gift. We cried upon taking our first breath because it was just that powerful. Over time we can lose touch with this vital energy that sustains us.

3. Doing something you like/love + Coffee or Tea - Mornings are great if you find that by the time you get back from work in the PM that you don't have any motivation to do the things you actually enjoy. Set aside 20 minutes to read that book, watch that tutorial, write that story, draw the picture, make or listen to music, go for a run/exercise, the list is endless and is very individual. Spend some time reflecting upon what one is grateful for. A gratitude visit we could say. Write down 3 to 6 things we're grateful for. What a good practice it is and especially so for any of us experiencing any sort of darkness in life.

The reality is that we don't all have an hour or three to do our morning routine before we hit the road. Depending on our circumstances, some of us might say we have no time. Or only five to ten minutes to ourselves in the morning.

Is it necessary to have a morning routine in the first place? Depends.

This is where I've enjoyed Alex Hormozi's take on morning routines which is not to have one basically. Having myself been a person that has "studied" others' routines, the title of his video got me to click and I appreciated the value he provided plus the insights I could gather.

Make it your own. Change it up from time to time. It is not set in stone. YOU are in charge.

What's your morning routine? Or what does the first hour of your day look like? Does it change day-to-day? How much time do you have?

I'd be interested to know. Open to it all.

If you enjoy evidence-based/scientifically studied daily routines then you most probably have already heard of Bryan Johnson, the most studied human being living at this time. You might of heard of his protocol called "Blueprint" which he shares for free to the public.

Here's a link to his Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@BryanJohnson

I've picked up some gems that I find useful. I have been an experimenter of sorts over the last 9 years. From tracking calories, do different diets, trying new exercise routines, morning routines, protocols, you name it and I mostly likely have either tried it or read about it.

Savour your mornings and enjoy!