Start Your Day Off With A Good Morning Routine

Make sure you wake up on the right side of the bed. Set yourself up for a good day with a morning routine that sets the tone for a good day.

Rather than rolling out of bed and going straight to a screen—incredibly easy for those working from home—in the hopes of a more productive day,you might want to consider starting your day off on the right note.

Rachel Hoffman, the head of therapy at Real, an online therapy platform suggests that making “me time” in the morning can increase efficiency and reduce stress in the long-term. A morning routine is “our way of telling ourselves ‘you come first,’ ” she says. “This can lead to higher productivity and a healthier, well-nurtured mindset.” So here are five tips for your morning routine that will set you up for a good day.

1. Drink Water

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You already know the importance of drinking enough water throughout the day, so use the morning to start your hydration. It can help prevent any effects of dehydration that might disrupt your day, like headaches and fatigue.

2. Wake Up Early—But Do It With Intention

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Set your alarm to wake up earlier, even if it’s by fifteen minutes Geri Hirsch, founder of Because I'm Addicted, says, "One of the best life changes I ever made was waking earlier so that I can wake up slowly.” Take a shower, meditate, eat at a relaxed pace, and ease into your day.

"There's no point getting up early just to do so. The question is what you'll do with the time, hopefully, something that will advance you toward your long-term goals."

says time management expert Laura Vanderkam.

3. Let The Light In

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Some natural light can wake your body. "At nighttime, you want to have a blue-light shade so you can get the melatonin going, but the morning is the opposite. You want to let that sunshine in," says Rajkumar Dasgupta, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at USC's Keck School of Medicine.

4. Aromatherapy

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Some essential oils can relieve stress and give a boost of energy. Katie Dunlop of Love Sweat Fitness says that she likes to spritz herself with an energizing essential oil spray. You can also turn on your diffuser in the morning to lift the mood while you prep for the day ahead.

5. Eat

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Breakfast is the most important meal, so you should have something to eat or drink, even if you're not hungry. You might want to stay away from the heavy and start with energizing. If you're usually not hungry, you can drink a green juice or smoothie instead of skipping breakfast.