This 6-step morning routine will set you up for productive work hours and make your day stress-free (for real).
How many of you have a set pre-work routine? You know, some habits and rituals that you have to tick off before you sit down to work?
It’s very easy to rush through your morning, but taking some time for yourself can change the entire vibe of your day.
The right routine can make you feel more confident and capable in your work, while a lack of routine can make you feel like your day is just getting by.
Doesn’t matter whether you’re working from home, commuting, or logging in from your favorite coffee shop, you need a morning routine that can set a good foundation for your day.
I’ll admit right off the bat that I work from home, but sadly that doesn’t give me any leeway during my mornings.
I have to be up by 6am to make it to my online work in time, and so I know firsthand how important it is to be in the right mindset before you face your work.
In this post, I’ll share 6 best things to do before work to get yourself prepped for a solid work day.
But before that, take a sec to pin this post, please. Thank you!
Here are some 6 important things you should do before work to get yourself energized, centered, and ready to handle whatever comes your way:
6 Things To Do Before Work
1. Hydrate Yourself
Before anything else (yes, even before coffee), you’ve got to hydrate yourself. After hours of sleep, your body wakes up pretty parched.
A glass of water first thing is like hitting the reset button on your system before piling on all the caffeine and breakfast goodies.
Morning hydrating won’t just quench your thirst, but it’ll also jumpstart your metabolism, get your brain functioning faster, and improve your digestion throughout the day.
If you want to go the extra mile, squeeze a little lemon into your water for a burst of vitamin C and a gentle detox.
It might sound too simple, but you’ll feel more alert, refreshed, and ready to tackle your morning if you start with hydration.
Plus, when you start your day by drinking water, you’re more likely to keep it up throughout the day, which is a win for your body and your energy levels.
2. Move Your Body
Now, I’m not saying you need to be doing hardcore HIIT workouts or running marathons at 6 a.m.
But, moving your body, even for 10 minutes, can make a huge difference in how you feel for the rest of the day.
It gets your blood flowing, wakes up your stiff muscles, and gives you a little endorphin boost that can carry you through your workday.
There’s no ‘right way’ to get your body moving in the morning. It’s all about finding what makes you feel good.
This could be a quick stretch in your living room, a few yoga poses to loosen up, or a brisk walk around the block with your morning coffee.
If you’re feeling ambitious, pop on a fun workout video on YouTube or throw on a playlist that gets you in the mood to dance.
And here’s the bonus: starting your day with movement will make it easier to stay active throughout the day.
Whether that’s stretching in your office chair, taking a walk during lunch, or sneaking in some desk yoga,
Also, when you start strong, you’re more likely to keep up that momentum.
So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself stretching in your office chair or taking a walk during your lunch; it’s just one of many perks of your morning exercise showing up later in the day.
3. Take A Moment For Gratitude
Mornings can be super chaotic for some of you, so I won’t blame you if you want to skip this one.
But if you can spare even a few seconds for gratitude, I promise it will change your day (and your life too).
I know, it sounds too simple and easy to be life-changing, but gratitude really is that powerful.
Your morning gratitude doesn’t have to be a big and complicated practice.
You don’t even need a fancy gratitude journal or a long list of things.
Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think of three things you’re grateful for in that moment.
It can be the warm cup of coffee in your hands, the sunlight streaming through your window, or even the fact that you got a full eight hours of sleep (a rare and glorious thing, I know).
When you make gratitude a part of your morning, you’ll find that the little annoyances of the day (like traffic or that endless email chain) don’t get to you as much.
You’ve already grounded yourself in positive energy, and that ripple effect will last throughout your work hours.
Related post: 9 Heartfelt Ways To Be More Grateful In Life
4. Fuel Your Body With Real Food
I know some people who skip breakfast altogether.
Their excuses vary from ‘not hungry enough‘ and ‘on a diet‘ to ‘don’t have time‘ and ‘I had my coffee, thanks.’
Um, I’m sorry, what? None of those excuses are good enough.
Your stomach should not, under any circumstances, be empty in the morning.
You’ll be setting yourself up for an inevitable mid-morning energy crash, and your health will suffer more than you realize.
Good breakfast is key to good health, no matter how busy you are or what kind of diet you are on.
Before sitting down for work, I always eat something that gives my body real fuel before diving into work.
Some mornings, it’s just a banana with a spoonful of peanut butter or a quick smoothie with whatever I have on hand (pro tip: frozen berries are a lifesaver).
But most days, I whip up some a proper breakfast with eggs and veggies and savor it in peace.
A good breakfast will give you the nutrients you need to stay focused and energized without relying solely on that second (or third) cup of coffee.
Your brain and body will thank you when they’re not running on empty come 10 am.
5. Plan Your Day Without Stress
I know planning can feel like an extra task when you’ve already got so much on your plate, but it’s so worth it.
If you take a few minutes to glance at your calendar or write out your top priorities for the day, you’ll be more productive during the day.
I could go on and on about the ins and outs of planning your day. But I already wrote a post on this.
See: How To Plan Your Day: 8 Tips For Effective Daily Planning
But to be honest, the most important (and only) tool that you need is a daily planner.
It’s something both beginnings and pros use to simplify the whole planning drama.
I have my own version of digital planner that is available for FREE to all my readers.
I highly recommend you snag a copy for yourself while you’re here:
6. Make Time For A Mini Self-Care Moment
My last tip for you before you dive into your work mode is to sneak in a moment that’s just for you.
I used to think self-care had to be this long, drawn-out process, but the truth is, even a few minutes can make you happy every day.
And isn’t joy and satisfaction the whole reason why you work so hard day in and out?
Remind yourself of this fact by giving space to self-care before work.
You can do this by journaling for a few mins, or meditating, or just sipping your coffee in silence. You could also do some deep breathing before you open your inbox.
It can also be as simple as listening to your favorite song getting ready or reading a page or two from a book that inspires you.
When you take that time for yourself in the morning, you go into the day feeling more grounded and less frazzled.
It’s a reminder that no matter how busy the day gets, you’re prioritizing you. And that feels really really good.
Make Your Pre-Work Hours Better
I won’t say that I ace this routine every single day.
There are mornings when I find myself going straight to my laptop, and that always kills my mood.
Seriously, no good comes out of hurried mornings.
Before you head out for work or sit down at your home workstation, you should spend an hour minimum on yourself.
I hope you liked the 6 ideas I had to share in this post.
I really believe they can make a difference to your health and productivity because they help me be better on days when I follow them.
So, tomorrow morning, give yourself a few extra minutes to hydrate, breathe, and focus on what matters.
Thank me later in the comment box!
Read next: How To Wake Up At 5AM Feeling Bright And Happy
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