4 Ways to Pump Up Your Mornings for a Productive Day Ahead

By Jonha Richman

Many people think the best way to prepare for a long day is to stay in bed and get up only when it's time to hit the shower and go to work.

However, according to a study by Christopher Randler, a professor at the University of Education in Heidelberg, Germany, when it comes to business success, morning people hold the important cards. Randler’s study highlighted that while evening people have advantages, "morning people also anticipate problems and try to minimize them. They’re proactive."

Similarly, a study conducted by LiveScience proved that those who have a solid morning routine are able to get themselves into the right mindset and become more productive. In fact, the study suggests that adults ages 17 to 38 and 59 to 79 associated "morningness" with happiness emotions.

If this isn't enough, successful entrepreneurs swear that their morning routines have contributed greatly to their success. If you have yet to revamp your daily routine to include pumping up your mornings, here are some ways to do just that:

1. Early to Bed, Early to Rise

It's a common misconception that successful people hardly get any sleep. On the contrary, the world's most influential people make it a point to get eight hours of sleep every day. While it is only natural to want to get everything done before going to bed, it is important to pace yourself when it comes to work. Some things can wait. Make sure to leave work at the office so you can relax when you're at home. Doing so will help you sleep better, thus allowing you to feel rejuvenated even when you wake up early.

Jack LaLanne, the pioneer of the fitness world, got up at exactly 4 a.m. for most of his adult life. It was only towards the latter years of his life that he changed his wake up time to 5 a.m. Even then, though, he still continued his daily morning routines. He lived until the ripe age of 96.

2. Exercise

You may have already guessed that exercise comes next in the list. While it is natural to dread waking up very early in the morning only to brave the chilly morning air when you go for a run, doing so will prove to be to your benefit. Here's why.

First, exercising in the morning will not only be good for your physique, but it will also will trigger your metabolism. Second, lungs will do well with fresh morning air. Next, exercising will increase the production of endorphins in your body thus giving you a natural high. Lastly, it is much quieter in the mornings and your mind is more relaxed, thus making it conducive for your creative juices to flow freely.

3. Eat Hearty

Ever heard your mother say breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, it's true. While exercising will give you a boost of energy, it won't be enough to get you through the day. The food you eat during breakfast, however, will. This is why it is not only important to make it a point to eat in the mornings, you also need to be careful of what you consume. See to it that you eat a well-balanced breakfast to ensure you have a steady supply of energy throughout the day.

Additionally, eating breakfast will also boost your metabolism and give you a feeling of fullness–in a good way. This will eliminate food cravings and binge eating during lunch or dinner.

4. Impose a Gadget Ban

These days, it is not uncommon for people to reach for their smartphones first thing in the morning. This practice is unhealthy because it will set your demeanor for the entire day. If the first thing you see in the morning is an email from a colleague about a business problem, your mood will automatically go downhill and that will affect your productivity for the day.

Sticking to a daily routine may be hard at first because, let's face it, doing the same thing over and over again can get old really fast. The secret is to keep doing it until your body becomes accustomed to the schedule you've set for yourself and you’re set to pump up your day and be productive.