All of us have experienced amazing days where everything just seemed to work out, days where we were more productive than usual. The opposite is also true, there were days that we just couldn’t seem to get going and nothing worked out as it was supposed to. The question is whether we have any control over these days. Is there a way that we can determine or steer our days to be good and productive?
Surprisingly, what we do in the mornings have a major effect on how the rest of our day pans out. It is as if our morning routines lay the foundations for our highly productive or mediocre days. It makes logical sense if you think of your morning routine as practice. The more you do a certain thing, the better you become at it. So the more I practice certain morning routines, the better I become in them and the faster I am able to do them.
This rings true for both productive and unproductive people alike. If you practice every morning to have a slow start, you will get pretty good at wasting time and going nowhere fast. If you practice every morning to have a productive start, the rest of your day will in all likelihood also reflect high productivity.
Our morning routines and habits cannot counter every curveball that life throws our way, but there are some healthy habits that we can apply to alter the broad course of each day.
The most important meal
When people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it isn’t just an old wives tale. Medically speaking, your body needs a kick-start to really get you going. The blood sugar that your muscles and brain crave in the mornings are usually very low. When you have a healthy breakfast, it starts up your metabolism and provides you with the energy you need to get you through the day. The emphasis, however, is on healthy breakfasts.
High-fat, sugary and processed foods are not ideal for breakfast. You might actually start to feel drowsy after the meal. The reason is that your body now actually has to spend a great deal of energy on digesting the carbs. On the contrary, when you have a healthy breakfast, your body slowly breaks down the healthy carbs to provide you with a steady supply of energy throughout the day.
There are several benefits to having a healthy breakfast in the mornings apart from the kick-start that it gives you. Studies have pointed toward the fact that people who eat breakfast are less likely to become overweight. This subconsciously helps you to maintain a positive self-image and feel good about yourself.
When your body gets the kick-start from having breakfast, your brain also gets a boost. Studies have shown that people who have breakfast show higher levels of concentration and focus. This translates to being more effective and attentive at work. Balance is key when it comes to the breakfast menu. Try to mix it up and have a little bit of food that contains good and unrefined carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, and protein. This mix will ensure that you have enough immediate energy, as well as sustained energy through the day.