Research indicates that how you start your mornings play a vital role in determining your entire day’s productivity. These studies indicate that energy and self-control are intricately related and are finite and standalone resources that tire like your muscle. We all go through this process, though we start the day fresh, we increasingly lose self-control as time passes. The loss of self-control directly impacts the way you function and also your mood sours. It is in the mornings where awareness and self-control are at their highest and it is important to nurture it to ensure our days become more productive.
In this post, we will look at the five powerful ways with which you can maximize your energy and self-control throughout the day. No matter whether you wake up feeling rejuvenated and alert or like a deadbeat zombie, making these tweaks to your morning activities will help remain focused and improve your productivity for the rest of the day.
1. Exercise in the morning
Research indicates people who exercise regularly in the morning have increased energy and a more positive outlook. You need not indulge in a power-packed workout routine, just some 30 minutes of physical activity that sets your whole body in motion gives you immense benefits. Exercising releases GABA, a neurotransmitter that makes your brain more alert and keeps your impulses in control. Reach for that skipping rope or jog in the nearest playground right after you finish your morning beverage.
2. Avoid Electronic Gadgets in the early morning
Electronic gadgets like smartphones, laptops have become inseparable parts of our lives. If you begin your day checking your emails or Facebook or Twitter, your brain succumbs to the needs of other people. It’s much healthier to choose an activity like meditation, gardening, or even peeking at the birds from your balcony which will refresh your mind. Spending time on social media in the morning makes your day frantic and messes your schedule completely
3. Eat a healthy breakfast
Medical scholars indicate that skipping your breakfast can have adverse effects on your physical and mental health. People who regularly have breakfast are less obese and maintain good blood sugar levels. A healthy breakfast with lots of nuts and fibres will boost your energy right away and helps you concentrate for a long period of time
4. Set realistic goals
Setting concrete and realistic goals is very important if you want your day to be more productive. Narrow your goals to a few achievable ones and break them down into steps. Setting vague goals like “I want to complete this task” proves to be counterproductive as they fail to include the”how” aspect. Instead, focus on the “how” factor and break your task into modules to make it functional. Fix a timeframe for each module so that your chances of finishing the task for the day increases.
5. Include a Hobby
Research indicates that a power nap could do wonders for your brain. But, within the office premises, it’s not possible. However, you can engage in other mind-flexing activities during your morning tea time like playing chess or rummy online. Research indicates that games like chess and rummy increases your creativity, boosts your memory, relieves your stress, and improve your overall cognitive function. Games like rummy are not very time consuming, so that’s another added advantage
Conclusion
Setting up a morning routine is very important but remember it’s only half the battle. If you fail to maintain that tone while going to the office, you can lose momentum and the whole exercise becomes pointless. Take a guard of your routine and ensure you don’t lose track!