Rise and shine! Morning
time just became your new best friend. Love it or hate it, utilizing the
morning hours before work may be the key to a successful, and healthy,
lifestyle. That’s right, early rising is a common trait found in many CEOs,
government officials, and other influential people. Margaret Thatcher was up
every day at 5 a.m.; Frank Lloyd Wright at 4 am and Robert Iger, the CEO of
Disney wakes at 4:30am just to name a few. I know what you’re thinking – you do
your best work at night. Not so fast. According to Inc. Magazine, morning people have been
found to be more proactive and more productive. In addition, the health
benefits for those with a life before work go on and on. Let’s explore 5 of the
things successful people do before 8 am.
1.
Exercise. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Most people that work out
daily, work out in the morning. Whether it’s a morning yoga session or a trip
to the gym, exercising before work gives you a boost of energy for the day and
that deserved sense of accomplishment. Anyone can tackle a pile of paperwork
after 200 ab reps! Morning workouts also eliminate the possibility of flaking
out on your cardio after a long day at work. Even if you aren’t bright eyed and
bushy tailed at the thought of a 5 am jog, try waking up 15 minutes early for a
quick bedside set of pushups or stretching. It’ll help wake up your body, and
prep you for your day.
2.
Map Out Your Day. Maximize your potential by mapping out your schedule for the day,
as well as your goals and to dos. The morning is a good time for this as it is
often one of the only quiet times a person gets throughout the day. The early
hours foster easier reflection that helps when prioritizing your activities.
They also allow for uninterrupted problem solving when trying to fit everything
into your timetable. While scheduling, don’t forget about your mental health.
Plan a 10 minute break after that stressful meeting for a quick walk around the
block or a moment of meditation at your desk. Trying to eat healthy? Schedule a
small window in the evening to pack a few nutritious snacks to bring to work
the next day.
3.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast. We all know that rush out the door with a cup of coffee and an
empty stomach feeling. You sit down at your desk, and you’re already wondering
how early that taco truck sets up camp outside your office. No good. Take that
extra time in the morning to fuel your body for the tasks ahead of it. It will
help keep you mind on what’s at hand and not your growling stomach. Not only is
breakfast good for your physical health, it is also a good time to connect
socially. Even five minutes of talking with your kids or spouse while eating a
quick bowl of oatmeal can boost your spirits before heading out the door.
4.
Visualization. These days we talk about our physical health ad nauseam, but
sometimes our mental health gets overlooked. The morning is the perfect time to
spend some quiet time inside your mind meditating or visualizing. Take a moment
to visualize your day ahead of you, focusing on the successes you will have.
Even just a minute of visualization and positive thinking can help improve your
mood and outlook on your work load for the day.
5.
Make Your Day Top Heavy. We all have that one item on our to do list that we dread. It
looms over you all day (or week) until you finally suck it up and do it after
much procrastination. Here’s an easy tip to save yourself the stress – do that
least desirable task on your list first. Instead of anticipating the
unpleasantness of it from first coffee through your lunch break, get it out of
the way. The morning is the time when you are (generally) more well rested and
your energy level is up. Therefore, you are more well equipped to handle more
difficult projects. And look at it this way, your day will get progressively easier, not the other way around.
By the time your work day is ending, you’re winding down with easier to dos and
heading into your free time more relaxed. Success!
Culled
from Forbes
