A morning routine doesn't need to be complicated - here's what you need to do

In Never Stop Learning this week I will be covering the following 1-2-3:

• One Big Thing - Building blocks of a good morning routine

• Two Recommendations -

• Three Actions to take this week

One Big Thing - Building the perfect morning routine for you

A morning routine sets the tone for your entire day, and having a tailored morning routine is crucial for your productivity and mental well-being.

The perfect morning routine varies from person to person and should be built gradually to ensure it fits your lifestyle and preferences.

In this blog post, we will explore different components of an effective morning routine that you can choose from like a menu, and guide you on how to incorporate them into your existing habits.

For each one I have included the specific YouTube video that inspired me to give them a go.

I’ve tried them all at various points but inspired by Dr Andrew Huberman I’m reinvigorating them to see how I can combine them over a period of time into a consolidated morning routine.

Ok, here we go….

Getting Daylight

Natural daylight is essential for regulating our body's internal clock, improving mood, and promoting overall health. Incorporate daylight into your morning routine by going for a walk, having breakfast by a window, or simply opening your curtains to let the sunlight in. As you start implementing this habit, find the best way to integrate it into your daily life.

Exercise

Morning exercise can boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and set a positive tone for the day. Start with a short walk, stretching, or a light workout and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you become more comfortable with this new habit.

I run every other day. I have a 6 km route that I do before work and then I do a local Park Run on a Saturday morning. It keeps me fit and sane.

Delay Breakfast

Delaying breakfast can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and support weight management. Start by pushing back breakfast by 30 minutes or an hour and gradually increase this time as your body adapts to this new routine.

Cold Shower

Cold showers can increase alertness, improve circulation, and boost mood. I started doing cold showers about 2 years ago after discovering Wim Hof aka “The Ice Man”. Call it pseudo science if you like but I’ve found that a few minutes under cold water each day gives me a burst of energy and has given me an ability to endure discomfort that I’ve then carried into other parts of my life.

Begin by incorporating a few seconds of cold water at the end of your shower and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with this invigorating habit. Here is Wim Hof’s video:

Journaling

Journaling is an excellent way to clear your mind, set goals, and practice gratitude. Start by writing for just a few minutes each morning and gradually build up to more in-depth journaling as you establish this habit.

Read 10 Pages of a Book

Reading is an excellent way to stimulate your mind and learn something new. Begin by reading 10 pages of a book each morning, and gradually increase the number of pages as you become more consistent.

Make Your Bed

Making your bed each morning creates a sense of accomplishment and order, setting a positive tone for the day. Start by making this a non-negotiable part of your morning routine and notice the impact it has on your overall mindset.

I have to admit that I really struggle with this one but if you can master it then it can set the tone for your day.

Sleep with Your Phone Outside the Bedroom

Keeping your phone outside your bedroom encourages better sleep quality and prevents the temptation to check it first thing in the morning. Begin by charging your phone in another room and find alternative ways to wake up, such as using a traditional alarm clock.

Meditate for Ten Minutes

Meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance self-awareness. Start with just a few minutes of meditation each morning and gradually build up to a 10-minute practice as you become more comfortable with the technique.

Conclusion

Remember, the key to a successful morning routine is to build it gradually and tailor it to your needs and preferences. Experiment with these menu items and determine which combination works best for you. As you progress, you'll find that your customized morning routine becomes an essential part of your day, setting you up for success and happiness.

What works for your morning routine? Are you stuck in a grove of hitting the snooze button? Let us know below what has worked for you.

If you think someone you know might find this article useful please don’t forget to hit share. It really makes a difference. And hitting the Like button helps get this article noticed by Substack. Thanks!

Two Recommendations - what to consume this week

1. Huberman Lab Clips - You Tube Channel

Only really discovered this channel in the past week and “wow”! Some great topics that you need to check out. Click on the picture below.

2. Chris Williamson interviews Dr Andrew Huberman

If you want to check out Dr Andrew Huberman’s full morning routine. Here it is.

Three Actions To Take This Week

My vision for this newsletter is to provide you with weekly actions that you can take away and use in your life in the coming week. So, here are three things you could try this week:

1. Pick one of the items from the menu above and do it for a week

2. Identify one bad habit and look into ways of breaking that habit

3. Check through your app subscriptions and remove all recurring purchases - I bet it will save you £20 off the bat!

And… to get the latest post each week please don’t forget to hit subscribe

I provide a FREE post every week with each one having the mission to inspire and support learning across our community.

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It helps more than you know. Thank you!

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