StudyFinds reports that 37% of Americans know if they’re going to have a bad day within 10 minutes of waking up.
Forgetting, or not having time for, even the simplest of actions like drinking water or taking exercise, can have a knock-on effect for the rest of the day.
The biggest disruptor, according to the study, is not making the usual morning tea or coffee, with 38% saying this would throw out their whole day.
Read on to find out more about developing a good morning routine, and how to stick to it and avoid “bad day” syndrome.
Finding a routine and sticking to it is a powerful way to start your day
The US study outlined that just a small change in routine could create a big ripple effect, often changing the whole shape of a day. So, it’s important to find something that works well for you and fits into your lifestyle. Not everyone lives a 9 to 5 existence, so a great routine for one person could be a waking hell for another.
For example, actor Mark Wahlberg revealed his famously strict routine, which began at 2.30 am each day. According to TODAY.com, he’s now relaxed this slightly to a 3.30 am rise and shine, with a 7.30 pm bedtime.
This would seem to be rather extreme for most Britons. A study by YouGov revealed that 7 am is the average wake-up time for most people in the UK, with retired people having an extra hour in bed on average.
You might not even think you have a routine. It could be that you do things in a slightly different order each day, or certain things on certain days: for example, going to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
But that’s a routine in itself. The chances are you fit the same things into your morning on the same day each week. Exercise, a shower, a cup of tea or coffee, a meditation, a walk, a podcast… just missing out on one of these key things could leave you feeling discombobulated.
Spending a little time understanding how you operate in the mornings can help you develop a routine that can really stick. Here are four ways to make a start.
1. Be prepared
Getting up and discovering there’s no hot water for your shower can set a bad tone for the day. Whatever your routine, make sure it’s doable and be prepared: make sure you have things like clean cups for your morning tea, workout clothes washed and dried, and petrol in your car to get to work.
2. Give yourself time
The jury is out on exactly how long it takes for a habit to become fully formed, as it varies between individuals and actions. But you could realistically expect it to take a couple of months before your routine becomes ingrained.
3. Take it a step at a time
If you want to introduce new habits into your morning, don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Start simple, perhaps with something like drinking an extra glass of water or doing a five-minute stretch sequence or meditation.
Then, as these start to become second nature, you can build in more steps until you’ve found a routine you’re happy with.
4. Think about what will help you feel happy and energised
A morning workout can be a great start to the day, but if it fills you with dread, then it might not be for you. But you could factor in a short walk, or something else to get you moving.
5. Find your favourite breakfast
This can also help to energise you, so you need to choose something that won’t have the opposite effect and make you feel sluggish. The NHS has some great suggestions, such as baked tomatoes on toast, banana porridge with raspberries, and easy overnight oats: all designed to be quick to make as well as nutritious.
Understanding the “perfect formula” for the morning could help you set your routine
If you’d like some inspiration, the Independent cites research from scientists who claim to have found the specific mathematical formula for a “perfect start”.
- Double the amount of time you spend eating breakfast.
- Add the number of minutes you spend exercising and showering.
- Subtract the total number of hours you slept the night before from the optimum 8-hour recommendation.
- Work out the difference in hours between when you get out of bed and 7:12 am.
- Divide the time spent eating, showering and working out by the sleeping and getting up times.
- Add together the number of minutes spent doing other morning activities like getting ready or completing a crossword.
- Divide that number by two to arrive at a numerical value.
The answer is the length of time in minutes you should be spending on your morning routine. If it’s greater than 37, this is an optimum routine.
If not, you could make some adjustments to give yourself the chance of a happier morning, and therefore a more productive day.
Get in touch
While we can’t make your breakfast, we can get you into some good financial habits, including creating a financial plan and having regular reviews. If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch by emailing hello@fingerprintfp.co.uk or calling 03452 100 100.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.