There’s quite an interesting concept in Japanese culture called ikigai. Basically, it represents the things that make you jump out of your bed each morning. Ikigai is found in the intersection of what you are good at doing and what you love doing, so when you discover your ikigai you will experience fulfillment every day.
Morning routines should be exactly that – primarily things that we enjoy doing, things that bring us fulfillment and make us feel good. That’s why your morning routine should be filled with activities that make you come alive and give meaning to what you do daily. If fulfillment is the main priority for you, keep reading and discover these five morning activities that will make you feel good all day.
Get up early
Doesn’t it feel good getting up early, while most of the people in your country are still sleeping, and having more time for yourself? You’ll have the feeling like you won a few extra hours and the possibilities will just seem infinite. You’ll have more time to prepare for the day, both mentally and physically, and you can enjoy all the silence the world has to offer at the daybreak. If you wake up at 5 or 6 am, you won’t have the feeling like you wasted your day, as you get a head start on everything. Mornings are perfect to invest at least an hour into realizing your dreams, and keeping consistent with that is what’s going to make you feel good. It may not be easy at first, but if you gradually move your alarm towards that goal, you’ll get used to it a lot sooner than you thought.
Start your day with a cup of tea
Everyone knows that tea offers an energy boost in the morning, but have you ever wondered why it that and what other benefits it offers? If you’re paying attention to your calorie intake during the day, you should drink your tea without milk or sugar, as a regular cup of black tea contains around 2 calories, but milk and sugar increase that value significantly. Many different teas are full of antioxidants that fight inflammation, which is believed to be a cause for many diseases. Antioxidants also get rid of free radicals in our bodies. Caffeine in tea affects the area in our brains that is responsible for short-term memory and concentration. It’s also good for the heart, it lessens the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and your liver loves it! There are a lot of wholesale tea companies everywhere in the world, but tea specialists in Melbourne are just amazing. You really shouldn’t miss out on any of these benefits – and your body will be grateful if you add at least one cup of tea to your daily routine.
Be active
Working out in the morning at home is such a rewarding experience for several reasons. First of all, there are no distractions; no one’s going to phone or text you that early. If you had your morning cup of coffee or tea, your workout is destined to be more effective. You will boost your energy for the day and reduce overall fatigue. Also, physical activity is a medicine for stress, so working out early in the morning will help you start your day in a good mood. It’s a good way to wake your metabolism up as well. You can do some yoga or meditate if you don’t feel like working out. Whatever it is, make it short so you have plenty of time for other things, as even a 20-minute workout has a lot of benefits.
Have a healthy breakfast
During the night, our body uses fuel to maintain its functions, so our glucose and sugar levels get low in the morning. That’s why having breakfast is important, as we refuel and increase our energy for the day. Also, you get more active after breakfast, which means you’ll burn more calories. If you work out in the morning, the important thing to note down is that you have to eat a light meal rich in carbs and protein before that, as it will boost your energy for the workout. If your diet is rich in fiber and protein, it will keep your appetite in check and you won’t reach for unhealthy foods.
Contemplate and think
If you wake up early, you can actually slow down a bit and have some time to think. Morning is the time of the day when you can come up with your daily goals and set your priorities. You can create a to-do list for the day, manage your time and plans, and think about how you can improve your productiveness. Just ask yourself what’s there to look forward to today, and it will help you stay positive and in high spirits throughout the day.
Creating to-do lists is an amazing strategy that will make you feel good both in the morning and the whole day. You will have certain small tasks you have to complete, and checking them off on the list will boost your mood every single time you do that. Start doing that as soon as you wake up and get into your morning routine!
