6. Stretch
After being asleep for several hours most people feel the need to stretch at least a little bit to release tension in their body. Stretching warms up the muscles and ligaments, preventing them from overextending and getting injured when you do start moving around.
It’s especially good to incorporate into your morning routine if you don’t have time to exercise first thing. Not only will stretching make you feel more awake but it will improve your posture and flexibility and increase blood flow.
If you’re lethargic later in the day, for instance, if you work in an office job, stretching can also make you feel energized.
7. Decide on one priority for today
I’m a huge fan of to-do lists, planners and productivity systems. However, when you first wake up is way too soon to start journaling, going through your inbox, or making countless new to-do lists: that can come later.
Instead, I suggest deciding what your number one – just one – priority for the day ahead will be. Whether it’s paying that bill, having a particular conversation with someone, or doing an important errand, while you are fresh, unstressed and focused is the ideal time to get an instinct for the best thing that you could achieve today.
8. Make the bed
It’s well known that an organized environment positively impacts our mental state and this even goes as far as your bed it seems. I make my bed every single morning, it’s just a habit I got into when I was a kid and have been doing it ever since.
I’ve never really known why straightening out the sheets and fluffing up the pillows makes me feel good, but you can imagine how pleased I was to read those people who make the bed are more organized and productive.
As an adult, it’s just one of those things that I do in the morning to feel ready to start my day. It tells your subconscious that it’s time to start the day. – Plus, it feels great in the evening to pull back the sheets on a well-made bed and dive in!
9. Smile
It really does make you feel good.
Even if you don’t feel like it, to begin with, smiling has been shown to have a massively beneficial effect on your wellbeing.
The simple act of smiling when you wake up gets your brain to release endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that make us happy. It also suppresses the stress-producing hormone, Cortisol. What’s more, faking it is as good as the real thing to your brain, so you’ll still get the same positive side effects even if your mood isn’t feeling it.
Plus, smiling makes you look more attractive, confident, open and friendly to others, which as you don’t know what today will bring, doesn’t hurt. – Even if you aren’t looking for a date right now!
RELATED: These 61 Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes Will Change Your Mornings
What’s your favorite wake-up ritual? – Let us know in the comments below.
