Sticking to good habits can be a real challenge sometimes but once habits do settle in, it tends to kind of benefit us forever. 

One of the most important time of your day is your morning. It determines how your day will look like and whether you're productive or not, it depends on how you kick-start your morning.

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, quoted:

❝ Good habits make time your ally, bad habits make time your enemy. 

After waking up, how you utilise the first hour of your morning will determine how much you will accomplish the entire day. That is the reason why successful people develop powerful morning rituals to get them extraordinary results.

Remember the Rule of 66

Research at London University found that "it takes 66 days, not 21 days, to build a new habit."So once you get past the first 66 days, you'll notice that keeping on board with a healthy routine is going to be a lot simpler than you've expected.

Here are the 6 habits that can elevate your morning and enhance your productivity levels.

#1: MAKE YOUR BED

After you wake up, start off your day by making your bed. 

Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, said it eloquently when he stated that, “A simple way to be happier is to make your bed every morning. You create inner calm by taking this small step to create outer order.”

William McRaven, 9th commander of United States Special Operations Command, quoted the following in his commencement address at University of Texas:

❝If you make your bed every morning, you'll have accomplished the first task of the day. It'll give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and so on.

And by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter.

If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be able to do the big things right. And, if by chance, you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made. That you made and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

Making your bed first thing in the morning is good for your brain for 2 compelling reasons:

1- A clean, decluttered environment will help in a clear mind and help you to be more focused.

2- It gives a sense of success because how you do anything is how you do everything. 

#2: EXERCISE

The most important thing that you can do in the morning is exercise. Be it any type... it doesn't really matter as long as you are getting that much needed sweat out from your body.

Our bodies need to be treated like temples if we hope to live life completely. Regular exercise will not only improve your health, but it will also help you think more clearly, boost creativity and manage the relentless stress that seems to dominate your days.

A research by Harvard Gazette found that every hour spent on exercise can add 3-4 years to your life.

❝ Those who don't make time for exercise eventually make time for illness.

When you exercise, you release BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) which helps grow neural connections and you release the neurotransmitter dopamine (which is a feel-good hormone). Also, exercising first thing in the morning is going to reduce the cortisol levels in your body.

Successful people like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, motivational guru Gary Vaynerchuk, etc, exercise in the morning before they get to work. If such busy people manage time to exercise, then what’s stopping you...?

#3: DEEP BREATHING

Source: The Ayurveda

Also called Pranayama, deep breathing is very important for the cleansing of your lungs and provide more oxygen to your lungs.

It maximizes happiness, health and immunity. It cuts down stress, anxiety, mental fog, and depression.

Research at Harvard Medical School found that deep breathing helps quell errant stress response. So it's very important to do deep breathing exercises in the morning.

Here is a list of few deep breathing exercises that provide the most benefits.

• Bhastrika (Rapid Exhalation): It energises the body and calms the mind.
• Kapalbhati (Rapid Exhalation): Made up of two Sanskrit words 'Kapala' means ‘SKULL’ and 'Bhati' means ‘SHINING.’ It pushes the excessive air trapped in the digestive tract.
• Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Anulom Vilom instantly calms the mind. It has the capability to put you in a trance state. It is also called Nadi Sodhan, cleansing the two subtle channels Ida and Pingala.
• Bhramari (Bee Breath): Stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger issues, weak concentration power, you name it, Bharamari has the power to cure any issues related to the brain.

P.S. As a beginner, you can do each pranayama for 2 minutes.

#4: MEDITATE

Source: Pexels

Meditation is an age-old technique developed to gain full control of the mind and to manifest its enormous potentials for worthy pursuits.

• Sit in a comfortable position.
• Try to keep your back comfortably erect. If needed use a backrest.
• Close your eyes and keep a mild focus between your eyebrows.
• Inhale and Exhale slowly and focus on your breath.
• Do this for 5-10 minutes.

#5: JOURNALING

Source: Pexels

• Writing a journal will help clarify your intentions so that you remain focused on the things that actually matter.
• Writing in a journal promotes personal growth and wisdom by giving you a forum to study, and leverage your past for greater success in your future.
• Writing in a journal will unlock your creative spirit that will fuel your upward path of self-discovery and make your days far more fulfilling.
  
  

A lot of geniuses like Leonardo Da Vinci, Marie Curie, Einstein, they all used to write in journals.

#6: READ

• To acquire wisdom.
• Improves mental stimulation, strengthens brain connectivity.
• Builds empathy and perspective.
• Helps in becoming a better conversationalist i.e., enhances your communication skills.
• Improves your writing as it gives an exposure to new writing styles.
• Helps you keep your sanity during this pandemic crisis. 😅

Barack Obama once quoted, “Reading is important. If you know how to read, then the whole world opens up to you.”

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Conclusion

• Atomic Habits
• The Power of Habit
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People