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If you are not a morning person, it can be super hard to want to get up early much less be productive. Maybe you find yourself in zombie mode until you can finally shake awake. But taking two hours to wakeup means you are losing a lot of valuable time to get things done.
So instead of staring off into the distance waiting for the coffee to kick in, you need a morning productivity routine to get you going. Here are 9 things to do before 9 am for a productive day.
Get Up Early
If you want to have a productive day, you can’t sleep in. Say no to the snooze button too. Instead, set your alarm for at least an hour earlier.
While getting up earlier means you get more hours in your day to get things done, we actually recommend getting up earlier so you can take your time with your morning routine instead of rushing through it.
When you rush through your morning routine, it sets the tone for the entire day. That looming feeling of being behind or feeling rushed, will not make you more productive.
Drink Water
Dehydration can hinder your productivity levels because your mind and body can’t function properly. So instead of starting the day with coffee, start the day off right with a big glass of water. You’ll feel more clear-headed and ready to take on the day when you’re hydrated and cleansed of toxins.
Don’t want to drink a plain glass of water in the morning? Consider drinking a warm glass of lemon water instead.
Get Moving
While getting in a workout before 9 would be nice, you don’t need to do a high-intensity workout first thing in the morning.
If you can’t work out, at least try to stretch. Stretching in the morning helps to wake up your body and your mind. When you first wake up, your muscles may feel a bit stiff and tight, so stretching them out helps to prepare them for the day ahead. You can even improve your posture and circulation by doing a few stretches every morning.
Eat A Nutritious Breakfast
Intermittent fasting is still having a moment, but we never got on board. How we fuel our bodies in the morning directly influences how much energy we will have during the day. Skip the donut or pastry and opt for a healthy smoothie or a bowl of oatmeal with cut-up fruit.
Skip Social Media
How many times have you checked Instagram of Facebook first thing in the morning to then spend half an hour scrolling? Even if you have the best intentions of only doing a 5-minute social media check-in, just skip it.
Instead, start your day on your own terms, focusing on your own priorities rather than reacting to what everyone else is doing.
Recommended reading: How To Do More of What Is Worthwhile
Dress For The Day
Even if you are working from home, you still need to get out of your pajamas. By staying in your pajamas you are sending mixed signals to your brain. You want to make sure your environment( which includes you) is set up for productivity, not leisure. Plus you never know when you’ll need to hop on a Zoom call to check-in with your boss.
Read The News
With all of the craziness that is going on in the world, it is easy to either avoid the news altogether or get lost in story after story on Apple News. Don’t skip the news, you need to be informed of what is going on in the world. Instead set a timer for 10 minutes. Find a reliable news source, skim the headlines, and read one of two news stories that are pertinent to your day to day.
Set Priorities
Even if you already have a to-do list, pick just three priorities for the day and write them down. Choose the most important things that will make the biggest difference for your day.
By setting these three priorities your to-do list will feel more manageable. If you only manage to get your three priorities completed, then your day is still considered a success.
Recommended reading: 7 Things To Do On Sunday To Prepare For The Week
Do Something That Brings Joy
You spend so much of your day doing all of the things that you have to do that it can feel like you never have time for yourself. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Start your day with something simple that brings you joy.
Taking ten minutes to sit with a cup of matcha to read, journal, or listen to a podcast is a fantastic way to start the day on a positive note. It will leave you feeling great and ready to take on the day.
