We bet that we can predict what your mornings look like – you wake up to a generic sounding alarm clock, you reluctantly get out of bed, get dressed, grab something quick to eat for breakfast, brush your teeth, and leave the house still rubbing your eyes and yawning.
How do we know this? Because we all do it – it’s the only way we know how (if you’re not one of us traditionalists, we salute you!)
However, there are so many better ways to start your day than by following the usual routine. Yes, you can exercise, read, meditate, or journal, but you can also get a little crazy and try any of these 10 other unique strategies to having a better morning.
While you cannot possibly incorporate all 10, you can start with one or two.
For those people in a hurry, take seven minutes to think, breathe, doodle, and make a plan. Even this small amount of time can help to create a positive mindset for the rest of the day.
2. Exercise for 10 Minutes
Some quick exercise in the morning will help to increase your mental processing speed – and you don’t have to do any heavy-lifting or five-mile sprints. For example, you can take a quick walk around the block, do some yoga, or a few rounds of push-ups.
3. Take a Shower
Only like to shower at night? You might want to reconsider that! Jumping in the shower has a way of shocking your system and getting your circulation going. If you can’t get yourself into the shower, then you should at least thoroughly scrub your face in the sink with cold water. This way, you’ll look and feel more awake than you would if you simply roll out of bed and leave the house.
You’d be very surprised how much your cup of coffee can brighten your morning – and I’m not talking about the caffeine part. Spruce up your routine with something that’ll make you smile, laugh, or entertain you while you sleep.
5. Stay in Bed Longer
For many of us, the hardest part about waking up and getting out of bed is the getting out of bed part. So don't! Winston Churchill used to spend the first three to four hours of each day working from bed, reading stacks of mail and dictating responses to his secretaries. While it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have three to four hours to spare in bed, you can still treat yourself to 10-15 minutes.
6. Play Some Soothing Ambiance
Ambient noise has been proven to increase creativity and productivity, so you should consider turning on the sounds of a coffee shop or a cozy rainy day to set your mood.
There’s no better way to stimulate your mind in the morning than listening to some great music.
8. Do the Dishes
Rolling up your sleeves and washing the dirty dishes from last night’s dinner might be the very last thing you want to do in the morning, but a recent study has shown that mindfully cleaning dishes – in other words, staying in the moment while scrubbing away – reduced anxiety and made the study subjects feel more inspired.
9. Check the News (Quickly)
Open up your phone and have a quick skim through your favorite news portals. This will help to stimulate your mind for the day ahead.
10. Keep Your Blinds Open
Sunlight is the best way to naturally wake your body up – so don’t hide away from it. It’s difficult to go from pitch black to bright light, so make it easier on yourself by keeping your blinds somewhat open.
Source: themuse
Images: depositphotos
Remove Tension in Your Neck with These 5 Simple Exercises
Release the tension in your neck with these simple exercises that target both neck and shoulder muscles.
Improve Your Health with These 11 Simple and Quick Hacks
To get healthy quick, all we need to do is follow these instant health upgrades. Take a look!
How to Keep Your Mind a Little Sharper at Any Age
Everyone has a tendency to be a little forgetful. Here are 7 exercises that will help keep your mind sharp at any age.
These 8 Everyday Habits Might be Making You Sick!
Many of our daily habits could be sabotaging our longevity. Here are eight of them!
Why You Should Never Drink Too Much Water
It’s always important to remember not to get dehydrated, but you need to know that there is such a thing as overhydration, and it can be very dangerous too.
Change Your Life for the Better with These Morning Habits
Discover 7 morning habits that will change your life for the better.
Experience the Beauty Benefits of Palo Santo Oil: DIY Tips
Find out the amazing beauty benefits of Palo Santo essential oil for your skin and hair.
Bored of the Outlet Covers? Here's How to Paint Them Well
In this article, we'll learn how to paint and wallpaper plastic or metal outlet covers effectively and professionally.
10 Smart Ways to Neutralize Any and All Shoe Odors
To combat shoe smells, we've compiled a list of 10 simple solutions that are readily available in most households.
Rice Water - 6 Unexpected but Super Helpful Uses
After reading this article, you will never throw away rice water again.
How to Remove Burnt-on Food Residue From Pots and Pans
Before you reach for steel wool, try these effective and mild methods of removing persistent food residue from pots and pans.
WARNING! This Common Ingredient Could Be Fatal to Cats!
They say that curiosity killed the cat, but new studies now show that certain essential oils may kill your cats too if you're not careful. Learn why here...
When Out Shopping, Avoid These 8 Generic Foods!
Generic foods are becoming more and more popular, but are they always a bargain? Here are 8 foods you should never buy generic.
Avoid These Email Clichés and Communicate More Effectively
Watch out for the outdated phrases below and upgrade your email vocabulary with thoughtful and unique sentiments.
Tips For a Happier Life: How Much Free Time Is Optimal?
People love fantasizing about a world with unlimited free time. But is having a lot of free time always the best option for one's well-being and happiness?
Has There Ever Been a Substance As Useful As This?
Vinegar has so many different uses around the house! You should always have a bottle of it handy.
10 Fantastic Food Hacks To Try At Home
Make your culinary experience as good as it can be using these 10 neat little kitchen hacks.
Have You Been Eating Bananas Wrong Your Whole Life??
There are so many food items we have been eating the wrong way our entire life. Here are the right ways to eat these 10 foods.
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
DIY: Hidden Compartments and Secret Safes for Your Home
Here's a fun and brilliant video on how to make your own secret safes to hide your valuables, using only items found at home.
How to Shorten Jeans by Hand and Preserve the Hem Too
Hemming jeans has never been easier than this!
How to Start a Garden on a Windowsill
No green thumb is needed for this simple gardening project.
Here Are the Top Ten Uses for Baking Soda
This video demonstrates how to use baking soda to solve a number of daily problems!
These Construction Tips & Hacks Might Come in Handy
Knowing these construction tips and tricks might come in very handy someday!
GUIDE: Are You Feeding Your Cat Right?
To help cat owners with this task, we've created a guide on the recommended daily amount and type of food to feed their cats.
10 Household Items You Should Disinfect Every Day
Here is a list of 10 essential household things that you simply must disinfect during the winter months.
Why You Should Start Using BAKING SODA in Your Laundry
Here’s why we should all start keeping a jar of baking soda in the laundry room and how to use it to wash clothing and even deep clean the washing machine.
4 Smart Ways to Keep Your Herbs Fresh
To help keep your herbs fresh and delicious for longer, we've compiled four tips for you.
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
I Never Knew I Was Doing All These Things Wrong!
28 things we all do daily but somehow still get it wrong
Save a Fortune With These Natural DIY Household Recipes
Keep your home chemical free and save money on household detergents. Here are three natural DIY recipes you've got to try.
20 Incredibly Useful Matchbox Tips from a Century Ago
Did you know that matchboxes used to contain a bit of handy advice? Here are 20 tips from our ancestors.
These Life-Changing Tricks Will Make Your Scalp Less Oily
We will show you how to make your hair produce less oil and give handy tips and DIY tricks that can help reduce the appearance of oily hair
How to Deal With an Angry Person in Your Life
This is a video guide to show you how to deal with an angry person in the best way possible.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?
These graphology tips will help you figure out what your handwriting says about you.
How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
Learn some useful tips as you struggle to keep roaches out of your home.
The Best Way to Clean Your Oven Racks
Let's dive into this clever solution that is set to make your kitchen life a lot easier!
How to Clean and Organize a Leather or Fabric Wallet
Your wallet has more germs than a toilet, but most rarely clean theirs. This guide will walk you through deep cleaning and organizing your wallet.
These Stunning Photos of Women in the 1940s Take Me Back
Not much is known about talented Russian Photographer Nina Leen. Throughout her career she produced memorable work, some of which you are about to see here.
Learn the Self-Massage That Treats Back And Neck Pain
Many muscle aches, including back and neck pain, result from muscle bonds called "trigger points" - today you'll learn how to identify and treat these points.
How to Develop a Green Thumb For Home Plants
The following houseplant cheat sheet summarizes the essentials you need to know about growing your own houseplants.
This is One Useful Oil You Always Want to Keep Around
This article will share six different and particularly effective uses for sesame oil, which make it clear why every home should have this essential ingredient.
15 Smart Alternative Uses for Bubble Wrap No One Told You
Bubble wrap can do much more than help you move!
These 12 Simple Actions Will Keep Your Mind Sharp
The brain, the most important organ in our bodies responsible for countless actions, sometimes needs a little help, here are 12 unique ways to help it.
These Insane Motorbike Stunts Will Make You Doubt Your Eyes
Motorbike stunts that completely defy the laws of gravity!
7 AARP Benefits Every Senior Should Take Advantage Of
Have an AAARP membership? You may not know of these little-known benefits.