6 Easy Changes to your Morning Habits To Help You Get Your Life Together

Think of 1 to 3 things that you want to accomplish today and that, crucially, you “can realistically get done.” Prioritizing your intentions in this way can help you cope with the stress, give you a sense of direction and a sense of accomplishment as you knock every single item off your list.

Debra Swan,a Chicago-based health coach who works with clients around the US suggested writing them down so you aren’t holding them in your head.

“If you don’t have a routine yet, start small and simple so you can be successful,” -Debra Swan

Like having a glass of water first thing in the morning. Its an incredibly simple habit that has an immediate payoff: it hydrates you and can also give you a sense of accomplishment, and in that way, it can be a gateway to other healthy morning habits.

"Do that for a couple of weeks, then try adding some stretching, etc.” - Debra Swan

Figure out what it is you’re looking to feel more of in the morning and then put on something that helps you get there: like a quick guided meditation or a calming song when you want to feel more relaxed or your favorite upbeat tune if you wanna feel more energized.

Exercise releases endorphins, which can be a great stress reliever. This is individual to the person so it can be short and sweet. Just fnd something that works for your mornings like a quick stretch if you're pressed for time, rather than something like a 5K run that you’ll never get to and then feel bad about. 

The key here is to figure out what you CAN actually get done at the moment with the time and resources that you have and start from there; rather than going for something big right off the bat and not be able to do it or hit the ground running and loose steam midway. That will make you feel like you have not accomplished anything. Start with baby steps; though slow they add up quickly and create big changes that creep up on you.

So write a list of baby steps you can take later today, tomorrow and each day for the rest of your life because life is a journey, not a destination.