What do Anna Wintour, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington all have in common? If you thought “they’re all brilliant women who are absolutely killing it in their respective fields,” you’d be correct – but that’s not all. Each of these kick-ass ladies have solid morning routines in place to set themselves up for a productive day. Sure, the repertoires vary slightly from person to person. While Anna likes to start her day with a 5:45 am game of tennis, Rosie prefers to walk with her mini dachshunds and sip on green juices. But despite the differences in activities, one thing remains constant – they’re setting a positive intention for the day in those early hours. Yep, unfortunately not many people become wildly successful by rolling out of bed 20 minutes before they’re due at work!
The good news is that even if you’re not already a morning person, you can easily become one. It’s all about finding a routine that you actually enjoy. Starting the day on this positive note will help give you the energy and momentum to power through a busy day. So, to help you create an A.M routine that works for you, we’ve rounded up some of common morning rituals of the world’s most successful women.
Pack the night before
A successful morning actually starts the night before! By getting everything you need for your day ready before you go to bed, you can save yourself a good 10 to 20 minutes the next morning. Not only does this give you extra time for more productive activities, it also prevents decision fatigue from kicking in before you’ve even had your first coffee.
Don’t press snooze
As tempting as it is, hitting snooze multiple times is a surefire way to start your morning on the wrong foot. If you drift off again, it’ll most likely send you back to the beginning of the sleep cycle which will only make you even groggier when you do eventually get up. For this reason, it’s a good idea to put your alarm on the other side of the room so you actually have to get up to turn it off. Often, the hardest part is getting your feet on the ground– but once you’re up, you’re up. Then, open up your curtains straight away, as the natural light will help wake up your brain!
Make your bed
Sorry to sound like your mum, but research shows that people that make their beds in the morning are happier and more productive. Why? Because it’s a simple task that gives you a small sense of accomplishment, which in turn makes you want to accomplish other things! Plus, a made bed automatically makes your bedroom look about 50% tidier and it’s so much nicer to jump into at night.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Before you even think about having your first coffee, down a big glass of h20. After eight or so hours without water your body becomes dehydrated, so it’s super important to replenish your levels. Not only will this help boost your energy levels, it also helps to increase your oxygen flow and flush out toxins. But if you really want to jumpstart your metabolism, make it a glass of warm water with fresh lemon. There’s a reason this is the number one health secret of most fit girls!
Move your body
Once you’ve rehydrated, it’s time to get your blood pumping. While the morning is a great time to smash out your daily workout, this doesn’t necessarily have to mean a rigorous, high intensity workout. Whether it’s yoga, a quick walk with your dog or even a dip in the ocean, picking something you actually enjoy will make it so much easier to stick to. We guarantee both your body and mind will thank you for the rest of the day!
Meditate
No article about morning routines would be complete without mentioning meditation. But it truly is the best way to get into the right headspace to deal with whatever the day throws at you! Even if you only do it for five minutes, it’ll go a long way in helping you stay calm, focused and present all day long.
Write a to-do list
Now that you’re in the right state of mind after your meditation sesh, it’s a good time to write out your to-do list. Whether you use an app or old-school pen and paper, this will help you get your head around everything you need to do that day. To avoid becoming overwhelmed before your day has even really started, it’s important to be realistic about your time. Prioritise the top three things that actually need to be done that day and allocate how much time you’ll spend on each task.
Break the fast
Look, the jury is technically still out on whether you need to eat breakfast to be healthy. But if there’s one thing that’s consistent amongst the morning regimes of most successful people, it’s that they’re all eat breakfast. However, when it comes to fuelling your mind and body for the day, not just any old thing will do. So unfortunately if you’re aiming for world domination, a bowl of sugary cereal just ain’t gonna cut it! According to our resident nutritionist Michelle Pellizzon, it’s wise to opt for a filling breakfast that has at least 15 grams of protein, around 8 to 10 grams of fat and less than 20 grams of carbs. Stuck for meal ideas that fit those macros? Check out the healthiest breakfasts you can eat, according to a nutritionist.
