March 6, 2021 5 min read
The opinions expressed by the entrepreneur’s contributors are their own.
Everyone loves sharing tips on how to do an epic morning routine, but when it comes to implementation there are a few simple whoopsies that are way too easy to do. If you hit the snooze button, start the day in bed, and sacrifice your morning productivity time on a nightly Netflix marathon, you can sabotage your morning’s potential.
And potential indeed. A growing body of research is finding that the morning is actually the best time for you to come up with ideas or be creative. A study in the Thinking & Reasoning Journal reported that the least optimal times for thinking and creativity (e.g., first thing in the morning, when you’re drowsy and still having your first cup of coffee) are actually the best optimal times. “The results showed a consistently higher performance in solving insight problems at sub-optimal times of the day compared to optimal times of the day,” says the study.
Related: What Is Missing From Your Morning Routine
So the cost of making mistakes in your morning routine is quite high. Imagine the groundbreaking ideas for your business, next book, or even your next family vacation that could pop up in the light of the morning! Make sure you don’t make the following mistakes that will cost you productivity and peace.
Error 1: Jump out of bed the second the alarm goes off
Surely this mistake is made with good intentions – as a defensive mechanism, if you will. If you force yourself to fly out of bed as soon as you hear the dreaded alarm, you may be less likely to lie there and get into a mental argument about whether or not the morning commute can give you an extra five minutes of slumber. However, this drastic action immediately disconnects you from your body. A better alternative? Just take a few minutes to stretch and stretch your body as much as possible.
This concept was inspired by researcher Amy Cuddy, who coined the term “Power Pose”. As your body expands, you actually feel more secure. In addition to that mood boost, doing a stretch first (even if you put your arms in a V shape that Cuddy says will increase incredible happiness) will increase your blood flow to all areas of your body.
After a few minutes of stretching, take the time to get out of bed and begin your immediate morning routine: making coffee, brushing your teeth, and getting dressed. Then consider performing the Power Pose again while standing or even during your morning shower!
Related: 14 Of The Best Morning Routine Hacks To Increase Productivity
Mistake 2: check your phone right away
A survey on the lifestyle of mobile consumers found that one in four young adults checks their phone within a minute of waking up. It’s definitely tempting – especially nowadays when there is so much information in your email, social media, and text messages. Glenn Lundy, the host and founder of the incredibly popular podcast #RiseandGrind, says this is a serious mistake.
“Neither your mind nor your body is the first to be ready for this type of stimulation,” said Lundy. “When you wake up dazed, it is important to focus on presence and gratitude, to take root in your own body with morning movements, and to write down your goals.” This advice comes from his 67-day # TheMorning5 challenge, which has been accepted by tens of thousands of people around the world.
“Remember, nothing can be waiting for you on your phone,” Lundy explained. “And you are better equipped to deal with a labor crisis or exciting news once you are fully awake and have a healthy morning routine through.”
Mistake 3: sleeping too late
Now we’re not telling you what hours or not to sleep, but think about it. When you know that you are tempted to check your phone first because you feel like you are missing something, imagine how much that temptation lingers when you wake up earlier than most of the others. There is something to it. A study by Amerisleep shared the amazing differences between early and late risers in terms of productivity, salary, and overall quality of life.
The study reported that “People who get out of bed at dawn – yes, we’re talking about 4 a.m. – responded that they felt” highly productive “71% of the time. Compare that to people who sleep until 11 a.m., the group least likely to be productive. You’re only productive 36% of the time. ”
That productivity also translates into money, as the study found that early risers made an average of $ 15,000 more each year than late risers.
Related: Working From Home? Here’s why you need a fake shuttle service.
Ultimately, what works best in your morning routine depends on your personal preferences. This is an invitation to experiment. We all have the same 24 hours and we all have a “morning routine,” whether it’s set in stone and followed habitually or something that looks different every day. Keep in mind that the first hour of your day sets the tone for the rest of your day, and therefore is probably the most important time to get all the benefits. Stretch out, keep the phone turned off, and consider waking up earlier than you are used to. The evidence of both productivity and peace will be seen.
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