Start the Day Out Right
I can’t write about starting the day right, without addressing sleep. Anyone that struggles with sleep is going to roll their eyes at someone giving them strategies for a great day when they are starting the day exhausted.
In order to get a good night’s sleep, you have to prioritize sleep and sleep hygiene. This might mean making tough changes to your diet, habits and routines. It could mean consistently committing to these changes over a long period of time before you see results. I have spent the better part of the last two years focused on sleep and I can’t believe how much has to change to move the needle even a little bit. However, the effort is worth it.
There are three components that I think generally stand out when it comes to people who have a morning routine that helps them thrive.
- Consistency in sleep and wake times. A lot of our clients commit to this in their personal foundations but the exact wake or sleep time doesn’t seem to be as important as long as it gives you time for number 2.
- Start the day with time for yourself. Whether you are journaling, meditating, hitting an exercise class or some combination of things, time for yourself before the world starts calling makes all the difference. This sets the tone for the day and it doesn’t have to be the same every day either. It’s investing the time in yourself and the quality of your energy that seems to help you thrive.
- Set boundaries around how you start the day. This is important because there is always something else that needs attention so whatever you prioritize as part of your morning routine is going to have competition from people, work, and your own resistance. Some people commit to a full morning routine daily, weekdays or some three or four days a week. Your cadence is your choice, making it a priority is too.
Beat to your own drum
It’s not what you do, it’s what it does for you. You know best what feeds your energy. So what does starting the day out right look like for you?
