-By Nicole Taylor, Senior Marketing Coordinator

It’s no coincidence that some of the most successful business people in the world – Elon Musk, Bill and Melinda Gates, Obama and Howard Schultz to name a few – have all been known to swear by their early morning rituals, claiming it’s what sets them up for a successful and productive day.

Its not a difficult concept to master. The serial snoozer waits until the absolute last second to drag themselves out of bed if they’re to have any chance of making it to the office on time. Feeling lethargic and starting their day in a state of panic they rush around the house trying to locate this and that, sit frustrated in traffic, all before rocking up at the office feeling totally exhausted. It doesn’t sound a particularly pleasant does it? How you wake up in the morning is likely to set the tone for the rest of the day. So if you are the serial snoozer, it’s probably no surprise you are ready for bed by lunchtime, feeling low and overwhelmed.

Cultivating a good morning routine is about setting yourself up for success by getting your body and mind in gear before the working day. A good routine will introduce structure, improve time management and mood, reduce stress, and increase productivity. It will leave you turning up for work feeling revitalised, accomplished, and ready to focus. What’s not to love?!

While everyone’s routine is unique, catering to their own individual needs, there are 4 absolute ‘musts’ to factor in for maximum benefit…

Stay offline!

Unplugging from technology first thing in the morning allows you to disconnect from the constant stream of information and stimulation that you receive from being online. A break from technology is the best reboot you can give your brain and will enable you to start the day feeling grounded and recharged.

Not reaching for your phone at every given opportunity forces you to be more present. Replace scrolling time with a short read of a good book, or simply learn to just be still, watching nature out of the window while sat hugging a warm cup of coffee.

Get the body moving

It’s a well-known phenomenon that exercising first thing in the morning sets you up for the day. It leaves you feeling energised and gives you a great sense of accomplishment, putting you in a positive mindset that you are likely to carry with you for the rest of the day – you’re also more likely to maintain healthier habits too! You’ll reap the benefits of improved mental clarity, cognitive function and attention span – all things that are hugely desirable for a good day in the office.

Remember though to do what works for you, and something you enjoy. Nobodies expecting you to be running marathons at the crack of dawn. It needs to be something you can easily fit in before work and maintain in the long run. Whether it’s weight training at the gym, a jog through park, yoga or a stroll with the dog, if you are getting out of your mind and into your body, there’s no going wrong!

Make time for mindfulness

Mindfulness is a big word these days, and rightly so! In a culture that always expects us to be productive, it’s never been more important to check-in with yourself regularly and learn how to slow down. If you struggle to sit still, free of distraction, it’s a good indication your nervous system is in overdrive – all the more need to integrate some mediation into your life!

Take a moment to ask yourself when you last took a moment to find stillness, to sit and observe all the fluctuations of thoughts, feelings and emotions in the mind? Perhaps not often enough?

Mindfulness should be an integral part of your morning routine. It doesn’t mean you need to sit in mediation for hours on end – just 5-10 minutes every day can make a difference.

If mediating just isn’t for you maybe try journalling or intentional breathwork – find your outlet and stick to it. All are good practices to cleanse the mind.

Regardless of the method you choose, the importance is that you are taking time to reconnect with yourself, to reset and let go of everything that isn’t serving you in an effort to process and seek clarity. When done consistently, such practices can have a profound effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you to manage stress.

Plan for the day

Rushing is exhausting! Rushing at the start of the day does not bode well for a positive day of productivity in the office either. Decide what you need to get done before you leave the house each morning and factor in ample time for each task when scheduling your morning routine. Being able to do everything you need/would like to do with enough time to spare, will leave you feeling hyper-productive, successful and will fill you with confidence. You will create a positive mindset that will keep you inspired and help you to manage work tasks effectively.

You might also take a little time each morning to plan out what you need to get done for the rest of the day. Be REALISTIC! Creating a to-do-list the length of your arm is unattainable and will only leave you feeling deflated and unmotivated when you fail to tick everything off. Just as you should do when working out your morning routine, factor in timescales and keep it manageable.

Set to work creating your morning routine and be sure to let us know if you see any boosts in your productivity levels. We’d love to know what helps you get out of bed in the morning and start your day well?

Remember there is definitely a right and a wrong way to get out of bed in the morning!