Healthy habits start with daily routine care for your body. That could begin by waking up, washing, eating breakfast, getting dressed, and brushing your teeth. It could be waking up, working out, making breakfast smoothies, and then waking the kids up. Everybody has their own preferences and likes or dislikes. Tweak your routine to fit your needs and wants, and you'll be on the way to a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle!
Morning Routines:
- Create A To-Do List. Create a list just for the day. I don't know about you, but I get so much satisfaction each time I can check off an item on my list!
- Drink A Glass Of Water. Drinking a cup of water right away will help replenish fluids lost overnight. Add a lemon slice for added health benefits!
- Eat Breakfast. You've probably heard this a thousand times, but breakfast (think proteins, vitamins, fiber) is the most important meal of the day. It will kickstart your metabolism and give you the nutrients and energy needed to conquer the day!
- Exercise. Working out, even a quick brisk walk around the block, can boost your energy, improve your physical and mental health, and get you pumped for the day ahead.
- Make Your Bed. It will be that first completed task of your day to make you feel more productive. Bonus points: it will be even more comfier at the end of the day, when you can slip right under the covers!
- Meditate. Set aside just five minutes of peace and quiet for you to meditate and say some daily affirmations for yourself.
- Take A Shower. Feeling clean and refreshed can help you start off your day feeling confident and energized! Some even swear by the benefits of ice baths, though this may pertain to those who exercise strenuously.
- Take Vitamins. Visit your doctor at least annually. They'll likely order blood tests, which can tell if your body is lacking in certain areas, like Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Iron, etc. They'll be able to help you choose the right supplements to regulate your body.
- Wake Up At The Same Time, Daily. Even on your days off! Prevent a case of the "Mondays" by maintaining your sleep schedule every day. Your body's timer will learn to rise and shine if it knows what to expect overnight!
Midday Routines:
- Adhere To Your Hours. This may not be possible for some positions, but keeping a strict "clock-out" time will help you maintain a work-life balance and prevent burnout.
- Chat With A Peer. I don't mean with your dog, or your toddler ... and I don't mean via text or email. Actually walk over to your co-worker and have a quick chat. Pick up the phone on your lunch break and call your brother. Real human interaction is the key to sanity.
- Drink Water Again. Yep. Here's that reminder to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially when you're nose deep in your work.
- Eat A Snack. That 2 o'clock feeling leaves everyone drained. A quick protein-packed snack could be just the trick to help you finish the day strong!
- Get Some Fresh Air. Open your windows (weather permitting), sit outside or go for a quick stroll. There is nothing that some sunshine, fresh air, and nature can't fix.
- Organize Your Workspace. After the morning rush, your workspace may have become cluttered. Take two minutes to quickly put everything back in its place. This will ensure you stay productive for the rest of the day.
- Stretch. Take five minutes every hour to stand up and stretch to the sky! If you have time, take a stroll around your building or down the hallways. This will help keep your blood circulating and keep you focused.
Night Routines:
- Brush And Floss. Brushing is hard enough to do twice a day, but flossing every day? Yea, I already know. Oral health actually goes hand-in-hand with heart health. Here are some tips on making oral care a part of your family's daily routine.
- Do Something You Love. Bake, knit, garden, walk, bike, color, etc. Knowing that you have something positive to look forward at the end of the day will help you get through each day with ease.
- Drink More Water. Have you had your [more than] eight glasses for the day? Whoops! We all get distracted from this, but dehydration is no joke.
- Drink Less Alcohol. Okay, I know I'll get slack for this, because a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away, right? Maybe. But, reducing your alcohol intake can improve your overall health significantly.
- Eat Dinner With Your Family. Sometimes varying schedules prevent this, but just ensure everyone has a healthy meal to finish off the day on a high note.
- Journal. Start a journal, or just note taking. Write down any thoughts you have about the day, the future, ideas, anything. Getting these out of your head and on to paper will help your brain relax, so you can fall asleep easier.
- Make The Room Dark. Use Blackout curtains or a cheap eye mask to help your body naturally get prepared to sleep.
- Meditate Again. Take another five minutes to get in your zone and reflect on the day or focus on your breathing.
- Power Down Devices. Some people need the TV or other white noise to fall asleep; I get it. But do your best to avoid scrolling through Instagram in bed at 11pm. Power down an hour before bed to help get that dreaded blue light out of your mind.
- Prepare Lunch. Don't waste time on lunch break driving to a nearby fast food restaurant. Pack leftovers or meal prep and take your lunch with you. If you send lunches to school with your kids, pack them the night prior, to avoid added morning stressors.
- Read A Book. Just a chapter will do the trick. Reading helps with brain development and your vocabulary. It is especially good to read aloud with your kids.
- Set Out Clothes. Pick out your family's outfits ahead of time and lay them out. This helps the morning routines run more smoothly, especially if you're late waking up!
- Stick To A Bedtime. Keeping your body's sleep cycle the same will help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up more easily each day.
- Stretch Again. Relieve all your body's tension and stress from the day by stretching or working it out.
- Take A Shower. Nothing feels better than rinsing off the day's stress (and dirt and germs) before hopping into your nicely made bed. It will set the tone for your body to start winding down and relaxing.
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Looking for more in our Series: Turn Your New Year Resolutions Into Actions - A Year of Opportunity? Check out the other ideas for getting 2024 off to a glorious start!
