Best ways to energize your morning routine

Wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, brew a cup (or pot) of coffee, check emails, get to work on time.

There’s enough to do in the morning without adding a morning routine into the mix.

But a morning routine has actually been shown to help you start your day off in high gear. It’s less about a checklist and more about giving you the structure, focus, and energy you need for the day.

What are the best ways to start your day? It can be as unique as you. You can light a candle, open the windows, journal, exercise, or practice gratitude. 

And one hot morning ritual is all about getting cold. A 30-second blast of cold at the end of your shower or dip in a cold tub, like the Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub by Master Spas, can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and increase dopamine levels. 

These ideas will help you start your day off right and maintain a positive vibe as you get to work and other tasks of daily life.

Benefits of an energizing morning routine

Beep, beep, beep. The sound of the alarm can almost feel like an assault to the senses. In a groggy state, you just want to make it stop. So you hit the snooze. 

And it feels so good, Not just that it’s quiet again but to roll over in the comfort and warmth of your bed.

But that 10-minute break from the alarm and, let’s be honest, reality isn’t doing you any good. You are just wasting time and delaying the start to your day. Plus, you are more likely to feel groggy — not rested — when you fall into the cycle of pressing the snooze.

A routine will actually make your morning and day better. Not only will you feel less stressed because you aren’t rushing around, you might be able to feel more in control, less anxious, and develop healthy habits.

Calm your anxiety

Do you have a busy day? Busy week? A busy month? Anticipating stress related to daily life and responsibilities can increase your cortisol levels. Researchers found that cortisol is at its highest level in the first hour after waking up for people who anticipate stress. 

An erratic or rushed morning routine can feed that anxiety, too. But taking time to do the things that are important to you or just add some structure to the start of your day can help calm your stress and anxiety. 

More than that, completing small tasks such as making your bed or completing a workout can give you the small wins to build momentum for a good day.

Improve focus

Mornings can be a rush. Time feels short, and your to-do list feels long. But an intentional morning routine can help you feel more focused. How? A routine encourages you to consider what matters most and prioritize those things at the beginning of your day.

In addition, many routines include activities that help you start each day with a clear mind, like meditation or exercise (and maybe even breakfast).

Better time management

Productivity is not always about how much we are getting done but can also refer to the level of quality and intention we are giving to tasks. Finishing the day with 10 half-completed tasks feels a lot different than completing six tasks and feeling proud of the quality of your work.

When we are constantly reacting to additional tasks, stressors, or needs of others, we can find it very difficult to effectively prioritize and follow-through.

An intentional routine to start the day can help you feel like you're in control of your schedule, rather than your schedule controlling you. As you start each day fresh, you can better focus on what is in front of you, where to prioritize your time, and, ultimately, increase your productivity.

Best morning routine 

The best morning routines are all about setting the right tone for the day. They don't require a lot of time in the morning, but they do help you get more out of your day than just something you do.

Think about what you want from your day and try to make it happen!

Plan your day in advance

We all have those mornings when we wake up and have no idea what the day holds. It's like, "Oh! It's Monday? What does that mean?"

Taking a few minutes to plan your day the night before will help you be more productive and focused. Planning helps you organize and get things done, but the reality is that not every day is the same. Thinking about what your day should look like the night before can help you incorporate the best activities into your routine. 

Drink a big glass of water

Have you ever noticed how drinking a big glass of water first thing in the morning makes you feel more awake, alert and ready to take on the world? It’s because your body can have a net loss of water overnight, according to the Sleep Foundation. 

A glass of water when you wake up can help you refill your tank and provide a much needed mental refresh.

According to the Harvard School of Health, “Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.”

Do something active

The best time to exercise is often when it best fits in your schedule. However, the early morning is a great opportunity to get active. The benefits of working out in the morning include increased alertness and energy, improved focus, blood glucose control, and better mood.

But your “something active” does not have to be a grueling gym session or hour-long run. A  short swim, 15-minute yoga practice, or walk with the dog can help you realize the same benefits and set you on a productive path.

Take a cold soak

Cold water therapy is an excellent way to energize your body and mind. When you jump into cold water, it sends a signal to the nervous system that releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. This keeps your heart rate elevated for a few minutes, which means that even after getting out of the water, your heart rate will remain higher than normal for several hours afterward.

Cold plunging also helps with muscle recovery by reducing inflammation in muscles and joints after exercise. It also increases blood flow and circulation throughout the body by opening up veins and capillaries as well as boosting oxygen absorption by red blood cells in our lungs, therefore improving mental clarity (which makes it easier to focus on tasks).

Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs are not just designed for performance but comfort. The cold tubs feature a spacious soaking area, built-in seat, and armrests for a completely immersive experience. The premium filtration system and energy-efficient chiller provide clean, clear, cold water on demand. Using your phone, you can set the temperature of the water based on needs and cold therapy protocol.

Get creative

Creating is a great way to energize your brain, which makes it perfect for the morning. Try painting, sketching, journaling — anything that involves giving your mind free rein to explore new ideas and create something beautiful out of nothing.

Even if you don't consider yourself a creative person, you can still find ways to incorporate the arts into your morning. For example:

Take a page out of an adult coloring book and get to coloring. Before you laugh — coloring has been shown to help with mindfulness and anxiety.

Write down all the thoughts running through your head as fast as possible without stopping for at least 5 minutes straight. 

Go outside

Vitamin D is more than the sunshine vitamin. It's vital to our overall health. From immunity to bone health, metabolism to sleep, vitamin D affects multiple systems in our body. 

But most of us don’t get enough exposure to the sun and, therefore, vitamin D. According to the EPA, most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time inside.

While getting outside might feel like a luxury, especially if you work in an office, starting your day with some fresh air can help energize your entire day. Eat your breakfast outside or ready emails on the porch. Enjoy a cup of coffee in a patio chaise before hopping in the Chilly GOAT. Even the soaks itself can be a way to connect with the outdoors and energize your mind and body for the day.

How to buy a cold therapy tub

Do you want to enjoy the benefits of cold water therapy without buying bag after bag of ice? Having a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub allows you to realize the impact of cold water. Enjoy clean, clear, cold water on demand.  You can click here to find out more about the benefits of incorporating a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT cold tub into your routine. Start your journey today!