Morning routines are like trains. They take a while to accelerate, but once they’re up to speed it’s almost impossible to stop them. A good morning routine gives you the momentum you need to wake up and get things done every day. Follow these tips to enjoy happier, more productive days!

1. Get Up Early

You’ll be amazed by how much you can accomplish if you wake up an hour earlier. Resist the temptation to hit that snooze button over and over! Getting up early lets you take control over your life. You decide how to spend your day, not your pillow.
Personally, I love waking up early because it gives me an extra hour before my kids wake up. This quiet time is perfect for reading, my favorite hobby. Some people use this time to sip coffee on the deck or to meditate. Do anything that fills you with satisfaction (other than sleeping).

2. Take Advantage of Cold Water

Cool, refreshing water is one of the best recipes for hitting your brain’s “on” switch. Believe or not, most people wake up dehydrated. Your brain burns through a lot of energy as you sleep, and a glass of water can replenish this battery, fighting fatigue and brain fog.
Taking a cool shower or splashing cold water on your face also works wonders. Cold water signals your brain that “sleep time” is over. This is the same reason you should turn the light on in your bedroom as soon as you wake up.

3. Exercise

Moderate exercise gets your adrenaline flowing, banishing those Monday blues or lazy pajama cravings. Following an exercise routine delivers oxygen and nutrients to your body’s tissues. This increases your energy levels and improves your mental focus.
Another benefit of working out is that it releases endorphins, brain chemicals that make you happy. Many doctors recommend exercise for fighting depression and stress. Even 10 or 20 minutes in the morning makes a difference. Feel free to rock out to your favorite music at the same time.

4. Put Some Caffeine in Your System

That’s right, coffee lovers! Caffeine is a healthy way to start the morning. Just the aroma of coffee is enough to snap your brain awake. If you program your coffee maker for a morning cup, this natural “alarm clock” is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Coffee isn’t the only caffeine superstar. Matcha tea has just as much caffeine, but the effects last longer. You can even put matcha in a smoothie.

5. Eat Breakfast

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, especially if you want to have lots of energy. Here are some of my favorite mood-boosting superfoods for breakfast:

A healthy breakfast gives your body the fuel needed for energy, and it jumpstarts your metabolism. Your brain and your muscles NEED these nutrients to work at peak levels. If you’re having a lot of “off” days, it’s probably because you’re not getting the healthy foods you need in the morning.

The first 20–30 minutes of your day often dictate what the rest of the day is going to be like. Make them count with a daily routine that jumpstarts your body, mind and soul! Waking up full of energy makes it easy to cross things off your to-do list. Before you know it, you’ve finished — and you even have some free time for a bubble bath.