The Importance of a Morning Routine

Are you a morning person? Or someone who thrives when the sun goes down in the evening? Either way, having a morning routine consisting of a few quick actions can create a positive mindset to ensure you are set up for success. A morning routine allows you to start your morning on your terms, therefore you control the day; the day doesn’t control you. You get started on the “right foot,” and this routine in the morning can boost happiness, increase productivity, reduce stress levels and get you grounded and settled for the day.

The most important part of a morning routine is that it works for YOU. Some people like to workout in the morning, some like to read, some like to journal and some like to meditate. Whichever action aligns with you, try to keep it consistent to avoid decision fatigue. The more we contemplate and struggle to make decisions in the morning, the more energy we deplete. Additionally, creating boundaries with your phone and work can have a great impact on how your morning goes. Psychologist Ron Friedman explains that checking emails, answering work related questions and listening to voicemails are cognitively expensive. Not ideal for our brains as these behaviours put us in a reactive mindset instead of a proactive mindset. Therefore, before you even start your day at work, your brain is in defensive mode instead of open to opportunities.