If it isn’t a habit already, waking up early can be really painful! You have to set your circadian rhythm right for starters, with a good night’s sleep before you welcome a new day.
Being disciplined and stringent about this new way of life is the key to making this habit a permeant one. If you genuinely want to transform your life, shed the old patterns hinder your growth and adapt to newer, more desirable ones.
How we design our entire day has a lot to do with how we kickstart it.
Follow the below steps to make each day better for our overall physical and mental health.
Sleep Soundly:
The quality of your day depends on the quality of your sleep the previous night. To have a refreshing, energetic and well-regulated day, ample sleep is required. At least 8-8 hours a day is needed to provide the body with adequate rest.
Set An Alarm:
This is the toughest part – resisting the temptation to hit the snooze button! Once the alarm goes off, waking up immediately can be challenging, especially if you aren’t a morning person. Take small steps. If you’re used to waking late, don’t suddenly set the alarm too early. Set it back by 20-30 minutes each day. This method is lesser painful and you’ll probably avoid excessive morning grogginess or sleep inertia.
Get Some Sunlight:
Whether we realise it or not, morning sunlight is extremely important for our health. As per an article by healthworld.com, nearly 76% of Indian population is deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D3's main source is morning sunlight. Find some time to sit or walk in the sun. Draw the curtains and let natural light into the rooms. This activates and stimulates our bodies and minds, alerting us that it's time to wake up and get going.
Work Out:
One of the key reasons many people feel super energetic throughout the day is because they indulge in a good workout in the mornings. Choose your favourite mode of exercise gymming, jogging, yoga, swimming, or even a brisk walk.
Eat A Nutritious Breakfast:
The adage goes, ‘Eat breakfast like a king’, for good reason. Science has proven time and again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and shouldn’t be skipped. Include you’re a nutritious breakfast with adequate protein and fibre that is right for your body type and lifestyle.
Engage In Chores:
Activities like doing the dishes, making the bed, or decluttering, energises and activates the body further. So spend a few minutes each day on your daily chores and avoid procrastinating over minor household tasks.
Maintain A Gratitude Journal:
Starting your day with gratitude sets the mind to face each day positively. You’re likely to avoid any negative thoughts and this helps in tackling your daily struggles with a calm and cool approach. Combine this with meditation for added benefits.
Make A To-do List:
Some days are easy, while others are hectic, challenging and overwhelming. To organise yourself better, maintain a ‘to-do list’ on a daily basis. Whether at home or at work, this will help you to check the things that you are supposed to do as the day progresses and ensure you don’t miss out on something important. It helps to prioritise your responsibilities, keep workload manageable and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Find A Reason To Smile:
Whether you’re dancing to your favourite peppy numbers, or calling a loved one to check up on them, painting, reading a book, playing with your pet or even gardening, find an activity to nourish your soul. Continue doing this on a daily basis for improved mental health.