Raise your hand if you're thankful for the extra hour we gained this weekend! With winter months approaching, you may find it easier to curl up under the blankets and sleep in a bit longer than you're supposed to. The dark and cold weather may be an energy killer, but it is important to set yourself for a solid morning routine to crush the day ahead.

Keep on reading for some ideas on what you can add to your morning routine!

Importance of a morning routine:

Not only is having a morning routine essential for setting up your day, but also key to productivity on cold, winter days. Think of it this way... Your morning is the foundation to your entire day. If you want to have a good day, start with a positive mindset. If you want to have a productive day, start your morning with a list of to-do's. As dark mornings are slowly becoming normal, we must prioritize a positive start to the day!

10 Ways to Mix Up Your Routine for the Winter:

Set your alarm earlier

This tip may sound simple, but getting out of bed earlier than you have to may be challenging especially when it's still dark out. A way to mix up your routine is by setting your alarm 15-30 minutes earlier. After 1-2 weeks of routinely getting up at the same time, your body is sure to adjust. This will then allow you to have more time in the morning to get things done!

Start a new podcast

The beauty of expanding your knowledge through a podcast is highly recommended. Podcasts are an easy way to learn new information, mindset inspiration, and even new recipes! Listening to a podcast in the morning is a great way to get your brain going, even on the go! You can listen while meal prepping your lunch, during your morning walk, and on your way to work!

Fancy up your morning coffee

If you're a coffee lover, this morning tip is for you. A fun way to mix up your morning routine is by having a morning coffee routine. Whether your brewing your coffee from your Keurig or stopping at Starbucks, try switching it up! Try out new coffee creamers or add a scoop of collagen to your cup for a tasty morning delight!

Did you know that drinking coffee every morning has actually shown significant health benefits? "Hu said that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. It’s even possible that people who drink coffee can reduce their risk of early death" (Harvard, 2021).

Good thing Starbucks just released their holiday flavors right?

Drink a full glass of water

Drinking a full glass of water right when you wake up not only increases energy levels, but also boosts your metabolism and helps fight toxins. When you wake up in the morning, your body is already dehydrated from the night of sleep, so drinking a full glass of water (8oz-16oz) will rehydrate your body and flush out toxins!

Eat a nutrient-dense breakfast

You probably have heard by now that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. With that being said, most people may not have time to sit down and enjoy a nice breakfast. However, it is encouraged to start your day with a nutrient-dense breakfast to replenish the stores of energy and nutrients in your body! Eating breakfast is important to provide your brain with energy (glucose) to get going on the day! A nutritious breakfast also aids in mental performance, attention, ability to concentrate, and memory.

If you're limited on time, prepare the night before! Overnight oats are a great grab and go breakfast or you can prepare by packing up a breakfast the night before!

Put a hold on the social media

The first instinct we all have is to grab our phones right when we wake up. Whether this is checking emails, social media, or even texting your significant other back, we all are guilty of this. Even though it may be a hard habit to break, it is advised to wait a bit before doing so. "Seeing or reading something negative first thing in the morning can trigger your stress response and put you on edge for the rest of the day" (Rai, 2022).

Checking your phone can lead to mindless scrolling, which keeps you in bed even longer. When you wake up, creativity starts flowing. Use this time to plan your day, exercise, clean your space, or make a yummy breakfast!

Supplement your morning

Supplements vary from the multivitamin you take to the protein powder you put in your smoothies! A fun way to mix up your morning is to try out new supplements that work for you and your bodies nutritional needs. Luckily for you, AstroFlav has many to choose from. Try our Salted Caramel Collagen in your cup of coffee or our new Cookies & Cream Protein powder in your morning smoothie for something new!

Exercise

In addition to starting your day with a nutritious breakfast, exercising in the A.M. has also been shown to improve energy and focus throughout the day. Not only are you working on your fitness goals, but also improving your mental health as well! This doesn't mean you are expected to wake up and start a vigorous exercise session, but a good 20-30 minutes of stretching or walking will get your body moving!

Here are a few examples of exercise to start your morning:

• Yoga - You can find at home "Yoga Flow's" on YouTube!

• Walk - Take the dog for a walk or a short walk around the block.

• Run - There is nothing like taking in the fresh air right in the morning while crushing your fitness goals!

• Quick core workout - A quick core/ab workout will help get the blood flowing right away in the morning.

• Workout class - Many fitness centers offer early morning workout classes to add to your schedule!

Make Your Bed

Studies have shown that making your bed in the morning makes for a tidier space which essentially links to improvement in decision-making, organization, and creativity. It can take anywhere between 18-254 days to build a new habit. Not only does making your bed take 5 minutes max, but it also helps build a new healthy habit in your routine. Making your bed first thing in the morning has additional benefits such as:

• Increases productivity

• Offers a sense of accomplishment

• Boosts mood

• Improves sleep

• Starts the day off on a positive note

There really are no "cons" to making your bed in the morning. Think of it this way... When you come home from a long day at work, the coziness of an already made bed to snuggle up in will be waiting for you!

The 5 Second Rule

Ever heard of the 5 Second Rule? "If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it. The moment you feel an instinct or a desire to act on a goal or a commitment, use the Rule." - Mel Robbins.

The 5 Second Rule, created by Mel Robbins, allows us to take action on our thoughts and increases productivity. The key idea here is to count down "5-4-3-2-1-GO" and move toward the action that we are hesitant about. In this case, we are talking about getting out of bed. Not only will this rule help you get out of bed in 5 seconds, but it will also improve decision-making througout the day.

So, next time you want to hit snooze, think of the 5 Second rule. 5-4-3-2-1 and your day has begun!

Summary

So maybe the winter months are coming and the fear of lack of motivation is starting to sink in; however, it is not too late to break the cycle! There are many ways in which we can mix up our morning routine from making the bed right away to fancying up our coffee routine! There are many benefits in starting your day with a productive morning, so don't let those winter time blues ruin your season. It is important to stay positive and remain mindful in your morning routine. We hope this blog post helped share some inspiration and boosts your creativity in creating your own morning routine!

RESOURCES

Is coffee good or bad for your health? (2021, April 09). Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/#:~:text=Hu said that moderate coffee,their risk of early death.

Rai, J. (2022, October 12). Council Post: Why You Should Stop Checking Your Phone In The Morning (And What To Do Instead). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/02/why-you-should-stop-checking-your-phone-in-the-morning-and-what-to-do-instead/?sh=30beae142684

Sorrell, J. M., & Search for more papers by this author. (2020, March 16). Tidying Up: Good for the Aging Brain. Retrieved from https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/02793695-20200316-02

Staff. (2020, December 28). Tips for the perfect morning routine in the winter. Retrieved from https://www.accuweather.com/en/accuweather-ready/tips-for-the-perfect-morning-routine-in-winter/633374

Willick, E. (2020, November 23). 5 Second Rule to Get-Out-Of Bed. Retrieved from https://www.sisinshape.com/sisters-in-shape-blog/2020/2/five-second-rule

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