Thrive Thursday: Morning Routine

How many times have you groaned when you wake up? You don't want to go to work, your brain is all fuzzy, you scroll through your Facebook feed seeing everyone's highlights... it's guaranteed to make you feel like poop.

But what if you could make a few easy tweaks that could make you a much more successful person, in your career, relationships and life?

That's where the morning routine comes in. All of the biggest most successful business people have a morning routine that caters to them. The best thing is, anyone can have one - including you. Here's a few tips on how to establish a routine that works for you.

Identify your current downfalls and issues - do you feel sleepy and dopey when you wake up? Find a way to get your blood pumping, whether it be some jumping jacks or a quick walk around the block. Feeling blue? Open those curtains nice and wide to get some daylight exposure, so your happy neurotransmitters get to cheering you up.

Start your day feeling grounded - maybe it's a cuddle with your lover, kisses from your kids, a quickie meditation session, taking a few moments to list what you're grateful for... whatever it is that makes you feel like you are grounded and in control of your own life.

Hydration, hydration, hydration - no coffee doesn't count! Have a nice big cup of water when you get up. If you tend to be a cold person, make it a warm cup with a squeeze of lemon or a herbal tea. Sip it slowly if you can, and feel your cells soak it up.

Don't neglect your nutrition - the majority of people are not suited to skipping breakfast, especially if their diet is less than ideal, and often it just leads to inhaling junky snacks later on. Try to get a combination of protein, healthy fats and some fruit or veg - eggs with spinach on toast, overnight oats with fresh berries and LSA or a balanced smoothie are all good options. If you struggle to eat in the morning, it's a good idea to get a check-up with your nutritionist to optimize your digestive function.

After you're ready, THEN check your feed - so many people get into work-mode by checking their emails as soon as they crack open their eyes, and end up frazzled and unprepared. No one expects an email back at 7am, so take your time to eat, hydrate, move and breathe.. and THEN get to answering emails and checking Facebook.

What does your ideal morning routine look like?