
Morning Habits For A Productive Day
Ugh…The dreaded mornings. I was never a morning person. I was and still am one of those people who loves their sleep. The one who hits the snooze button over a million times. Just to catch another minute or two of shut eye. When I was single and childless it wasn’t so bad. Getting ready in 20 minutes was easy if you knew what you were doing. But then I became a mum. Morning lie ins were no longer possible and I quickly found that if I wasn’t productive and organised in the mornings. Then my days were gone before I knew it and I felt like I had lost the day.
When you are a busy mum like myself, the morning routine can sometimes take its toll. Especially if your little ones were up during the night. However having good morning habits can not only boost your motivation. It can also set a positive pace for the rest of the day and help to reduce any stress or anxiety you may be feeling. So after 2 years of struggling to juggle everything. Here are my Morning Habits For A Productive Day.
Be the first to Wake Up
I admit this is something I still struggle with. Especially when my husband is home from offshore and when the weather is a bit drizzly. However as hard as it can be, waking up before my son and getting a few things done in the morning has been a life saver. The initial feeling of getting out of bed is the worst. However once you are out and dressed it actually feels somewhat therapeutic to have some quiet time to yourself. I use this time to get a workout done, reply to emails and drink my morning smoothie in peace. This calm start to the day puts me in a instant good mood and sets the precedent for the day.
Exercise in the morning
If you read my post on my belly donut dilemma then you know I am trying to get back into shape. But how do I find the time when my husband is offshore, I have a house to run, I am studying and I run a blog?! The only time and best time for me is in the mornings! I wake up and go down stairs to get a 30 min workout and shower before getting my son up and tackling the day. That way the workout and shower is done and I don’t have any excuses during the day to not workout. It has been proven that exercise can help to lift your mood and reduce stress. The rush of feel good endorphins just makes me ready to take on anything and there is no better time to feel motivated than in the morning.
Make the Bed & Get Dressed
This might sound daft but making the bed and getting dressed first thing in the morning can make a huge difference. For me it is like closure. I am dressed and my bed is made. So that means I am definitely not getting back in it and the day has officially begun. Getting dressed is especially important for me. Being a stay at home / work from home mum, it is super easy for me to laze around in my pj’s until late morning. However when I do this I find my motivation levels decrease and I feel more anxious and lazy with my appearance.
So now my outfit is prepared the night before ( which is usually my gym gear) and I get dressed as soon as I wake or have my shower. That not only prepares me for the day but also boosts my self confidence. Even if i am just staying in the house I will layout nice loungewear for the day ahead.
Healthy Breakfast
I love a fry up just like the next person. However I feel that when I eat a big unhealthy meal at breakfast it leaves me feeling sluggish and bloated. And can at times make me feel tired and lethargic. So I try and start my day with something light and healthy and leave the heavier things for a bit later. Especially now that I am working towards getting rid of the spare tyre, a healthy breakfast is a must. I love drinking my super green smoothie first thing in the morning and then follow it up about an hours later ( usually after my workout) with a bowl of fruit, gluten free granola and kefir or a veggie omelette. I find a breakfast that is full of healthy fibre and fruit aids my digestion and makes me feel more healthy and energised. Get my green smoothie recipe here
Make a Plan
Last but not least make a plan or list of all the things that you must do that day. When you have loads of things to do during your day like me it can feel overwhelming. Trying to wing it and not having some kind of structure to the day usually sets me up for failure. I end up being behind on my blog, study or feeling like I haven’t given my son enough quality time. It really helps to make a plan and compartmentalise the day by setting time for each task. That way you know first hand roughly how your day is going to be and can make sure that you have the right balance.<
Getting the right balance in life can be hard. But if you use your time effectively and incorporate some of these morning habits. Then you should be able to tackle each day productively!
Beth @ BethinaBox.com
Plan, Plan, and Plan. Yep, I definitely agree with that one. I sit down on a Sunday and plan the following week, and every night I spend 10 minutes or so planning the next day. It is the only way I can be productive.
Kylie Abreu
I know, planning just makes everything easier and organised
outandaboutmummy
I agree about getting up before anyone else! Just makes the morning a lot smoother.
Kylie Abreu
It really does doesn’t it?
leila2808
Yes 100% couldn’t agree more!
placeinthisworld247
These are great tips. Out of necessity, I often do wake up before anyone else in my house. While the rest of my family wakes up at 6:30 or later, I get up at 4:20 am, so I can get ready and be at work at my scheduled time! I will work on making the bed before work more often.
Kylie Abreu
Wow 4:20am is dedicated. Good for you!
packthepjs
Gosh you are good! I strive to have a good morning routine, but I suffer because I don’t go to bed very early (hence I’m typing this at half past midnight). When the kids go back to school I’ve decided to work a 9-5 – even though I work from home I’m going to pretend I’m in an office! I have lots of things to get done, so I need to be better organised.
Kylie Abreu
Aw I can relate. I used to stay up late catching up on things too. But now I make sure I am in bed by 11 to sometimes 10.
Tomeka Allgood
I’ve had exercising in the mornings as a to-do item on my list for a long time. I may need to get on that. Getting your morning started off right is probably half the battle for me on a daily basis. Thank you for the tips!
Kylie Abreu
I know it is really hard to get into the habit of. I think once you get yourself out of bed then you feel good for doing it
Kursed
I think I really need to implement some of these into my life – especially a healthy breakfast!
With Love From PWith love from
Amazing post!! Gosh without planing I have no idea where I would be. Great post!
Sarah Camille
These are great tips! I really struggle to get myself up early, so having a plan in mind the day before makes all the difference. 🙂
Natalie
Most days I’m so tired I don’t do any of this but I would love to start back working out. It helped a lot! I also add a few minutes for a devotional to get me going.
Christine Weis
Great tips to start the day! I struggle with getting up first because I LOVE to sleep and I will never exercise in the morning. I also have 2 young kids so my morning really revolve around them and it’s hard!!!
Kamree
I love this! Planning ahead definitely makes a HUGE difference in the morning routine! if I don’t have then things end up in complete and utter CHAOS!!! Thanks for sharing these tips! xo – Kam
Crystal Marie
Good advice working out in the morning. It can be so hard, but the only time in the day. I feel ya.
Ana
Such great tips for not only moms, but anyone that wants to be productive and get their day started off right. I like you, love to sleep and am struggling to get out of bed, but planning the day the night before is a great motivator. Great post – Thanks for sharing!
Officially Chic
These tips are so good girl! I have been trying for weeks now to get up early. Some days, I’m successful and some days, I not. But I agree that it’s a good idea to wake up before everyone else, especially if you have children. Once they get up, they will run your day for sure. I also agree with working out early in the morning. It’s just easier to go ahead and get it our of the way.
http://www.officiallychic.com
The Cinnamon Mom
All fantastic points! Making time for your physical and mental health is such a great way to start the day
Mummysmad
Some great tips here. I love exercising in a morning it give you lots of energy for the day
Emily Leary
I’m an avid list maker and it certainly helps me to get the day off to a good start. Both my husband and I work from home so we need to be well organised from the start, especially once the kids are up and about and getting ready for school etc. Exercise comes later in the day!
Melissa Kacar
I definitely need to work on getting up earlier! Thanks for sharing your tips! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
Indrani
Excellent post! I want to print this out in BOLD and show to my kids 🙂
Very well enumerated.
Sandra Negron
This is such a great post. I totally believe that having routine or habits for the morning can set the pace for the rest of the day and how well it goes.
Peanuts and Cacahuetes
I agree so much with this! Personally I’m waking up at the same time than my boyfriend so I don’t stay lazy in bed haha
He is going to work in the morning so I wake up when he wakes up and it’s way easier to wake up at the same time than someone else.
But like you, I like to plan! I prepare a to-do list every morning to make sure that I know what I have to achieve during the day.
It’s really helpful to have this overview to plan everything 🙂
And I need a shower to wake me up! xD
Laura
https://peanutsandcacahuetes.com/
Kylie Abreu
Hi, I am so glad you agree. I think waking early has been a real game changer for me too