At Medshield Movement, we’re here to help support you on your journey to living your healthiest life. After the festive season and holidays it can sometimes feel challenging to get back into routine. So, we’ve created a helpful guide that will aid you in building healthy habits for the new year ahead.
Why are morning routines important? They not only create structure for the day ahead, they also set the tone for a successful day. Whether you’re looking to be more productive, improve your health or reduce stress, these habits can help build momentum for the day and help you stay on track with your 2025 goals.
The key? Start small, stay consistent and let your morning routine work for you!
Start with a consistent wake-up time
Consistency helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which boosts energy levels and improves focus. Start by setting an alarm and resist the urge to hit snooze. It will feel difficult initially, but soon you will get used to it. If you’re not used to productive morning routines, gradually shift the time to an earlier wake up time over time.
Pro tip: ensure that your sleeping environment is dark, cool and comfortable, setting you up for a successful sleep.
Hydrate
You might want to immediately reach for that espresso, but to kick-start your digestive system in a healthy way and to help your body rehydrate after a long night’s sleep, it’s best to drink a glass of room-temperature water.
Pro-tip: struggle to drink plain water? Add a slice of lemon.
Practice Mindfulness
Instead of waking up and immediately checking social media or your text messages, practice mindfulness for just 5 to 10 minutes. What does this look like? A little meditation, mindful breathing or even a quick journaling session can really set you up for success.
Pro-tip: sit up or get out of bed to do this so that you don’t accidentally snooze off again.
Move your body
We understand that not everyone has time in the morning to get their sweat on. And whether or not you decide to do your workouts in the morning or evening, it’s still important to do some movement every morning after you wake up. This could be a 10-minute stretch, a short walk or something to energize your body, shake out the sleep and boost some endorphins.
Pro-tip: No time to workout in the morning? Put your fave songs on and have a little morning dance shakeout to boost your mood.
Plan your day
Before rushing off to start work or getting stuck into the rest of the day, take 5 minutes to map out your day’s tasks and priorities. This is especially helpful if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Starting the day with this clarity and focus can lead to a really productive day.
Pro-tip: Use a planner, diary or app to help you stay organised and tick tasks off.
Getting these 5 basics right will help you build a successful morning routine that will lead to greater productivity and mindfulness. See it as a bit of self-care for yourself before facing the rest of the world.