Waking up at 5 am, taking public transport, studying, working, going out with friends, doing admin stuff, taking care of the ones who need us… Phew! The routine of the 21st century is no joke, right? Especially in 2020, when we spend part of the year joggling things between working/studying from home and dealing with the uncertainties about the economic and health crisis. But, more than that, the real challenge of the present day is to manage to create healthy habits without much time available.
You already know that you should eat more vegetables, exercise, keep in touch with nature and be close to the one you love. However, in our busy daily life, sometimes we end up putting it all aside in the name of work and other obligations. For many of us, the first thing that we do as soon as we open our eyes is to reach our smartphones and when you see the first hour of your day has gone!
What is the point of having productivity up there if you are always exhausted and dissatisfied? With a hectic routine like that of most people in the 21st century, it is not about the amount of activity you do, but with what quality you do it. Although your time of dedication is only 30 minutes, if they are of quality, this will undoubtedly bring positive results in the long term.
To find a balance between your commitments and your quality of life, you can adopt some of these beneficial habits for your body, mind and personal relationships. And spoiler: it’s a lot easier than you think.
Avoid using your mobile phone in the first hour of the day
Did you know that touching your cell phone in the first few minutes of the day can cause a feeling of stress and tiredness in our bodies? The explanation is that using the cell phone to check the first tasks of the day, checking emails and assimilating all messages and information from social networks early in the morning can generate an anxiety effect on the body, causing our brain to associate all of these contents to a busy and stressful day. So, leave this task for later without fear!
An entrepreneur is already connected all day, so why not take the morning to disconnect and focus on personal tasks? Ignoring work e-mails when you wake up will not be as disruptive as it sounds, quite the opposite: instead of setting the goals and obligations of the day, you may be wasting time answering a message that could have been seen later.
The best time to plan your day is when you wake up. People must organize the tasks according to their relevance – from the most difficult to the easiest – and also structure how he will achieve his goals. Getting to work prepared makes all the difference.
Stretch
Stretching your body as soon as you get out of bed, or even before getting up, is an exciting morning habit. This activity strengthens the muscles, reduces the chance of pain during the day and makes you feel more energized.
You can do simple stretches in a few minutes. For example, stretching while lying down, with a straight body and well-stretched arms and legs. Or by moving your neck in a circular fashion, massaging the back of your neck, bending to touch your hands to your feet, or doing the “child’s posture” of yoga.
Spend time outdoors
Be outdoors in the morning before working to work or start your daily tasks has many benefits. A study by the University of Michigan showed that spend time in nature improves memory’s performance by 20%, for example. If just walking is not your thing, find something that brings you joy, like swimming, basketball, or even riding an electric skateboard. More time outdoors means absorption of vitamin D, free aromatherapy and a boost in your immune system.
