Starting Off Your Day Successfully For Physical & Mental Well-being

Your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Whether it is giving you a boost to a productive, fulfilling day ahead, or throwing you off course, it’s important to take the steps that put you in the right direction from the moment you wake up. 

They say that the most successful people start their day off bright and early to get ahead. Although I am not recommending this, because everyone is different and what works for some may not work for everyone, it is important to understand your routine and what works for you. If you don’t have one, don’t worry…I am here to help. But I will say that it is important to find a routine that will work for your life. This approach will help you get into the right mindset each day to make the best decisions for you, your happiness, your relationships, your business and your overall life. 

Here are some tips for creating your own morning routine to rise and shine for the day ahead! 

Get An Early Start

During these last few months, we have had to adjust our schedules. For many that have children, even more so with attempting to keep them busy and entertained over the summer, let alone the start of the school year.  

Research shows that the most prosperous people wake up early, usually rising between 6:30 am to 7:45 am each day. Getting up early helps me maximize my time and have some me-time before my business demands my attention. It’s best to get up right away instead of hitting the snooze button or lying in bed, which sets the wrong tone to a productive and active day. This is easier said than done, but getting to sleep earlier helps the wake up call in the morning! 

Make Your Bed

Military members and successful business people make it a habit to make their bed every single morning. I too practice this ritual. Starting with this routine puts you into the right state of mind of doing what needs to be done throughout the day. You use discipline and routine to push through tasks like this, and that’s something you can continue to follow all day. It also sets a good example for children and builds into their regiment when it is a routine.

Exercise Everyday

This of course is more important than ever with the challenging times we have had to face.  Some fresh air and getting in touch with nature is essential to our well-being. Whatever your choice of exercise – just keep moving, stay active and get that heart rate going.

Whether you choose to exercise as soon as you wake up or after having breakfast and catching up like me, it’s smart to make a workout part of your everyday morning routine. When you schedule exercise time and stick to it, you end up happier and better throughout the day. Sure, it’s hard to get going, but once you have you will be happy that you did!

Well-balanced & Healthy Meals

Breakfast gives you fuel to start your day. I always have breakfast before I work out. I choose a light breakfast with protein like a soft-boiled egg or yogurt, with other healthy foods like low-sugar granola and fruit. Breakfast is when I allow myself to catch up with what’s happening in my business and the world through reading my emails and texts, the newspaper and key fashion websites. Choose a breakfast that works for you, and decide when to add it into your routine. 

Get Dressed To Feel Your Best 

Always keep your personal brand in mind.  With virtual meetings that continue to take place, or rather socially distanced coffee meetings,  we still want to relay the best message through our visual representation.  Yes, we certainly have altered our wardrobe, but dress “slouchy” and you’ll feel the same way.  Our relaxed style should still exude confidence and self-assurance. A cozy knit, dress pants and a pair of kitten heels or sneakers…and voila! 

A, B and C Items

Prioritizing your tasks helps you feel a sense of accomplishment when they are completed and met. We’ve been multi-tasking and basically doing a balancing act these days so this practice assists with feeling successful!

Write down your goals for the day each morning. This will help you have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish that day. If it works for you, you can also think about what you accomplished yesterday and how today fits in with the rest of your week. Remember to set attainable goals that you’ll be able to achieve, and break them up into smaller tasks to make them easier to accomplish. You could also write in a gratitude journal to put yourself in the right mindset for the day.

Carve Out Me Time

As I talk about de-cluttering your closet and wardrobe items often, de-cluttering your mind and soul is imperative and crucial to our well-being.  Without taking care of you first, you cannot take care of those closest to you.

This time can include restorative time for meditating, deep breathing or other relaxing activities. You could also spend time listening to or reading messages you find inspirational.

Design Your Itinerary

Now, it’s time for you to think about what your routine should be. Some people have short morning routines before they start the day, while others extend the morning hours. Some people need a simple beauty routine, while others are more devoted to extensive beauty processes.

Decide on your own routine that will help you start your day in the best way possible for you and your personal brand. It needs to fit your life for you to stick to it. Consider:

• The time you will rise and the approximate length of your morning routine
• What you will eat and drink for breakfast to fit your body and goals
• Whether you will exercise and what that will include
• What your beauty and fashion routine will include 
• Any other aspects you’d like to include in your daily morning routine. This may include walking your dog or making lunches.

With all the difficult circumstances we have had to face globally in addition to COVID, taking care and being mindful of our well-being should be at the forefront of our lives. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. 

So if you haven’t heard it today, take some time to have some fun – dance, have cocktails with your socially conscious bubble or in a virtual format – whatever makes you feel comfortable – don’t forget to enjoy life and be grateful, start your day with a smile and end it with an even bigger one!