10 Healthy Habits for a More Productive Morning

When your alarm goes off in the morning, do you jump out of bed ready to start your day? Or do you hit the snooze for the first of many times? Regardless of which category you fall into — a natural morning person or more of a night owl — you can have a productive morning if you practice healthy habits.

From eating breakfast to getting enough sleep, a few small tweaks to your daily routine can have a big impact. Here are 10 healthy habits to incorporate into your morning to boost your productivity.

1. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Have you created a habit of skipping breakfast? Anyone who’s already uber-productive will tell you that eating in the morning is their secret weapon against the mid-morning doldrums. So before you focus on any other healthy habits, start eating breakfast every day. Try something with a balance of carbs and protein, like Greek yogurt or an apple with peanut butter.

2. Get Up and at ‘Em Early

There are the people who wake up with plenty of time to spare, who take their morning routine at a leisurely pace. And then there are those who roll out of beds a few minutes before they have to leave, who hastily throw on an outfit and rush out the door. A hasty start to your day could plague your productivity all morning long. Allow yourself ample time to get ready in the morning — and maybe even add some self-care to your routine.

3. Work Out

Speaking of self-care, exercising in the morning is the perfect example. Once your body gets into the habit of getting its sweat on every morning, you’ll find that your energy levels increase as a result. This means you’ll have a more productive morning, even after you leave the gym.

4. Reflect and Meditate

Maybe working out in the morning isn’t a habit you can get behind. Instead, try spending some time in quiet thought each morning. Reflect on the day before, think about what’s to come in the next 12 hours or try meditation to get your mind centered and ready for the day.

5. Set Small Goals for the Day

If you saddle yourself beneath the weight of a huge, vague goal for the day, you’ll never reach it. That failure will leave you feeling defeated and unproductive. Instead, begin your morning by setting one or two small goals that you can meet by lunchtime, and buckle up for a few hours of uninterrupted work.

6. Drink Some Java

While some people may feel better without caffeine, if you’re not one of them, don’t feel guilty. Allow yourself to savor a cup or two of coffee as you get your morning started. The ritual alone could help you settle into a workflow, and the boost of caffeine won’t hurt, either. Just keep in mind that it’s possible to overdo it on caffeine — which could result in a crash later in the day — so be aware of how the beverage affects the way you feel.

7. Head Outside

There’s nothing quite like stepping outside and hearing the birds chirping to bring energy and motivation to your day. If you don’t like being cooped up in the gym, kick off your day by heading outside for a run or a walk. The sunshine and fresh air will help to boost your mood first thing in the morning and, as an extension, you may feel more energized and productive all morning long.

8. Jot Down Affirmations

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that helps to center and focus you? Maybe you have a saying you like to repeat to yourself on days when you can’t seem to get going. Pick your favorite affirmations and jot them down on notecards, then put them up somewhere you’ll see them each morning, like the bathroom mirror. The daily dose of optimism could work wonders for your productivity.

9. Drink More Water

Just like it’s important to fuel your body with healthy food, you should also drink ample amounts of water. This is more than just a matter of survival. Drinking water also provides energy, so drink at least eight cups per day.

10. Pick Out Your Outfit in Advance

Maybe it’s your inner fashionista that slows you down in the morning and ultimately stunts your productivity. To avoid this, pick out an outfit the night before and lay it out, right down to the socks and shoes. Then you’ll have nothing to worry about in the morning other than eating breakfast and getting out the door.

If you’re unhappy with your current level of productivity each morning, these changes can have a big impact on your routine. Incorporate one or two of these tips and sail through your next Monday morning with ease!