Written by Dominic Giuliano
Let’s face it – doing things out of habit is often far easier than doing new things.
Consider your first day on a new job; how challenging was it to get into a groove?
At first, you feel awkward and clunky, but after a while, as your skills and knowledge increase, you become more confident and skillful.
Building daily routines allows you to solve common problems and learn better ways of doing things.
When we do things that are routine, we feel “on track” and in the flow.
We become less self-conscious and can accomplish more with less time.
So how would it feel to start each day out with that feeling? What are the benefits of a morning routine?
Let’s examine five psychological benefits.
- Balanced Sleep-Wake Circadian Rhythms and Mood
Our bodies operate on an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep and wake patterns.
Maintaining a consistent wake time every morning helps synchronise our internal clocks, leading to improved mood and emotional stability.
When our circadian clock is well calibrated, we have energy consistently throughout the day.
When we disrupt this balance with irregular sleeping habits, it can result in mood disturbances and emotional fragility.
We may also feel more impulsive, distracted and uninspired.
Clearly, good sleep forms part of a successful morning routine.
2. Early Sunlight Exposure and Its Effects
Early morning exposure to natural light has numerous psychological benefits. Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, often referred to as the “happy hormone.”
Higher serotonin levels can elevate mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Additionally, it helps in regulating your internal body clock, ensuring a smoother transition between your sleep and wake phases.
Deliberately starting the day with a little sunlight is a sure way to invite enjoyment into your day. You might also get a little tan in the process.
3. Improved Attention and Concentration
A well-established morning routine can set the stage for a productive day.
By creating a quiet, focused environment during the early hours, you can enhance your attention span and concentration.
Here you might outline what tasks you have that day, and how to plan them into your schedule.
By noting them down, you are moving information out of your working memory and onto paper (or device).
This reduces cognitive load and makes thinking and planning easier. Doing so also makes the day clearer, so you can better prepare.
With fewer distractions and a clear agenda, you are more likely to accomplish tasks efficiently and maintain higher levels of mental clarity.
4. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Starting the day with a structured routine can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
When you plan your morning, you eliminate the rush and chaos that often accompany unstructured mornings.
This reduction in morning stress can set a positive tone for the entire day, promoting a more balanced psychological state.
This might be early exercise or a walk with a friend or partner. It might be preparing kids for school, or opening the café early in the morning.
Whatever your day looks like, trying to install consistency helps calibrate your body to the demands of the morning, and can help align your mind and body.
5. Cultivation of Mindfulness
A morning routine can be an excellent opportunity to practice mindfulness.
Engaging in activities like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga during your morning routine promotes emotional self-awareness and helps manage stress.
You can even practice mindfulness during mundane morning tasks like preparing your morning coffee or making your bed.
Taking time for yourself to keep your mind free and experience the task fully can avoid overthinking and worrying about the day ahead.
These mindful practices also allow you to connect with your thoughts and feelings, promoting emotional well-being.
A final note from Dominic
There we have it, five good reasons why a morning routine can put a kick into your day.
Being a student and balancing study, work, health, family, and other obligations can be quite stressful at times.
By creating your own morning ritual, you can help manage that stress more effectively and start out each day with a win.
