What do you feel right after you wake up in the morning? Chances are, all you want to do is turn off your alarm clock, roll over and go back to sleep. The first few minutes after you wake up are the most influential time, so it is essential to have a mindful routine that is effective in empowering your day since they help you charge your mind and body before it all starts. Following a healthy morning routine develops the sense of self-control, good habits, and a positive and stronger mindset. It also brings you closer to discovering and achieving your goals. Become an early bird If you are not a morning person, choose a time to get up early, and tell yourself that the snooze button on your alarm is not an option. Getting an early start each day will allow you to have an extra hour or two JUST for yourself. You will get to enjoy a cup of coffee with a book that you always wanted to read or go for a refreshing walk and watch the sunrise. By getting up early you can avoid those stressful mornings where you are running out of time and have to skip breakfast and run out of the house half-dressed. Begin with gratitude After waking up in the morning, take out some time to take a few deep breaths and meditate and be thankful for the life that you have worked hard to achieve. Doing so will inspire you to keep working hard, it will also make you happier, more positive, and will reveal what matters most to you in life. The aim of this habit is to start the day with calm clarity and a peaceful mind. Drink Lemon water First thing in the morning, drink a cup of warm water with lemon and honey or ginger. Lemon juice discards toxins and other unnecessary materials from your body, boosts your immune system and maintains the PH levels in the body. Moreover, it is a great source of Vitamin C, it helps in digestion and lessening inflammation. It is recommended to drink this on an empty stomach. Your body has gone an entire night without water so it is important to replenish those fluids and let your body rehydrate itself. Don’t skip breakfast It is true when they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast will help you feel more focused and provide you with the energy you need for the coming day, whether you are at work or simply getting on with your daily routines. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism, helping you burn calories during the day. Workout and stretch When you wake up early, the best way to spend this new found time is by working out. Working out is a great energy booster and helps us staying fit. It also relieves stress. Working out fuels creativity not only because it produces endorphins and flows blood to our brains but also because it helps break up the monotony of sitting and working, leading to more creative insights. If you don’t have enough time to squeeze in my workout in the morning, at least do some light stretching. Published in Daily Times, July 24th 2018.