by Nicole Paulie, Psychologist and Co-Founder of MyMoodandMe
Has your productivity been lacking a bit lately? Feeling like you just can’t get the things done you’d like to do. While overall routines can often vary from person to person, there are a few simple steps that can you take in the morning to make your day much more productive
Pack the Night Before
Whether it’s packing your gym bag, or just preparing everything you’ll need before going out the door, preparation begins the night before. You can easily save yourself 10-20 minutes by packing and preparing everything you’ll need the night before. Plus, it helps your day start off less hectic if you’re someone who tends to always be rushing out the door in the morning.
Don’t Snooze
It can be really tempting to hit the snooze button on your alarm, especially if you haven’t been sleeping well. And even though we all hate to admit it, we know how that cycle goes. You drift back asleep, the alarm goes off again, and you’re even more tired than you were before. To avoid the temptation of hitting snooze, try setting your alarm on the other side of your room so you’re forced to physically get up and turn it off. It’ll help you wake up and get moving.
Make your Bed
By getting up and making your bed in the morning, you already feel like you’ve accomplished something. Plus it’s nice to come home to a clean room in the evening. Studies also show that people who make their bed in the morning tend to be happier and more productive. After all, you now have that extra time in the morning since you’ve packed everything the night before.
Drink Water
If you’re like most people, you can’t operate until you’ve had your first cup of coffee; however, try downing a glass of water first. If you think about it, your body hasn’t had ANY water for the last 8 hours or so, and coffee is a diuretic, meaning it actually increases the chances of you getting dehydrated.
Exercise
If you struggle to get going in the morning, getting in a bit of exercise can be a great way to wake yourself up. This doesn’t mean you have to go the gym and do a super intense workout. It could be some light stretching in the morning or walking the dog before you leave for work.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Just like you haven’t had water for the last 8 hours, your body hasn’t had anything to eat for awhile too. When eating your breakfast in the morning, opt for more nutritious options that will keep you energised and your belly full. Avoid things high in sugar, and instead, try to go for options that are high in protein. Your brain and body will thank you later
About the author
Nicole Paulie (Reg. Ps.S.I Psychol.) is a Counselling Psychologist and Co-Founder of MyMoodandMe, an online corporate wellness programme aimed at helping employees to Move, Nourish and Inspire.
