6 SECRETS OF A PRODUCTIVE MORNING ROUTINE

Many health experts, entrepreneurs and successful Ceo's highly recommend a structured early start to your day. A morning routine is very important for productivity and performance throughout the day.

Here are a few of my tips on how you can be more productive in the morning and get more done:

1. DON'T CHECK YOUR PHONE

When you wake up in the morning do not check your phone for the first hour ; so that means no emails, no texts, no social media or even your voice mail. Do not let your smart phone control your morning.

2. HYDRATE

Ditch the caffeine first thing in the morning and start your morning by drinking a large glass of water. This is a great way to start your day. Water intake is very important for health in general. I recommend drinking water with added fresh lemon, this naturally speeds up your metabolism and makes a very refreshing, healthy drink. Drinking water will help you feel energised, refreshed, help relieve headaches and curb your appetite. 

3. START MOVING

Exercise first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day. It can help you to kick start your day and get you psyched up for the day ahead. The endorphins that are released during exercise will leave you feeling in an amazing mood. When exercising in the morning I recommend you allow yourself more time to warm up before you commence your workout.

4. MEDITATION

I highly recommend you start your day with 5 or 10 minutes of meditation. Sit in silence and quieten your mind. There are lots of Guided meditation online resources and apps available to get you started. Studies show that meditation can help combat stress, anxiety and depression. Experts recommend to start each morning with meditation, ideally before eating breakfast. 

5. SET GOALS

Plan and prepare your day. Be sure to have a set planned schedule of your day. Ideally this should be planned in advance or the evening before. Spend a few minutes in the morning familiarizing yourself with the plan and schedule of your day. A set calendar or diary will help you be more productive and get more done with your day.

6. EAT BREAKFAST

Breakfast provides your body with energy to start the day and breakfast is linked to many health benefits; including weight control and improved performance. Having the right breakfast foods can help you concentrate, give you strength and even help you maintain a healthy weight. Studies show that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less than those who skip breakfast. This could be due to the fact that eating a healthy breakfast can help reduce hunger throughout the day, reducing snacking, controlling cravings and help with making better food choices with other meals.

It is important to be mindful of how you start your morning. Often our morning thoughts , behaviour and rituals will shape our entire day. Limit rants and negative vibes. Awake with a clear positive outlook.

Remind yourself how fortunate you are to have the gift of a new day. Make everyday count. Make it a great day - everyday!