2020 has not been anyone’s best year. Millions of people have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who were able to keep their jobs have had to adjust to working from home. It’s not easy to stick to the same routine when you don’t have to commute, put on
A new routine (or not having one at all) has thrown many people off their game, and this comes with big consequences. If you want to get back on track, it’s time to get back into your old routine. Even if you are working from home, or not working at all, the right routine will help boost your mood, encourage productivity, and benefit your overall well-being.
Benefits of a Morning Routine
Why is it so important to stick to a morning routine? The answer requires a little knowledge of biology, psychology, and the power of mindset.
Morning Routines Keep You Physically and Mentally Healthy.
Our bodies have an internal, 24-hour clock called the circadian rhythm, which tells them when to release hormones for waking up and powering down. When this clock is thrown off (by jet lag or changes in schedule), our bodies need to devote time and energy to adjust.
Help out your body’s natural clock by going to bed, getting up, and eating at the same time throughout the day.
Having a routine reduces stress on the physical body and the brain. Stress is more impactful than you might think; chronic stress can cause weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues and reproductive issues.
There are plenty of ways to reduce stress: meditation, exercise, yoga, etc. Don’t have time? Don’t love these practices? You can reduce stress today by simply establishing a morning routine.
You Lead By Example.
If you’ve got little ones running around, you probably already know that a routine feels good. Routines have been linked to higher family functioning, better sleep, and higher academic success among children. Children perform better when they stick to a routine. Adults perform better when they stick to a routine. If you learn to stick to a routine as a family, you’ll have more success together.
You Wake Up With Wins.
Without access to gyms or a commute, many people have been hitting the snooze button. By the time you get up, it’s hard to fit in exercise or other morning activities into your routine. You’re starting the day off on the wrong foot.
Even if you’re not employed or don’t “need” to be up early, set that alarm. Adjust yourself back to your routine. Have that cup of coffee or write down your to-do list. Once you hop in the shower or start making breakfast, you’ll already have a “win” under your belt. That small win will give you the momentum to push forward, and you’ll have more hours in the day to accomplish everything on your list!
How to Wake Up on the Right Side of the Bed with CBD
Don’t remember your old routine? It doesn’t apply anymore? Don’t worry. With simple steps, you can establish a new routine that boosts your mood and sets you up for a productive, winning day.
Start Small.
Small wins are just that – small. Waking up on time doesn’t feel like a big accomplishment, but this small win can turn your whole day around.
Maybe you get back into your routine just by getting up at 6 or 7 a.m. Or you try and answer one email by 9 a.m. You could run or walk one mile and still check “exercise” off of your list. Remember, small wins put you on the right path.
My small win of the morning is typically popping a CBD tincture under my tongue. I prefer The DROP from Remedy+ – it’s not intoxicating, but it does work as a mood-booster. It’s not a big task either – all I’m doing is squeezing a dropper under my tongue. But like those morning walks or single emails, this piece of my routine points me in the right direction for the rest of the day.
Wait, CBD? Isn’t That Illegal?
That’s what I first thought too. Although CBD is an active ingredient in the marijuana plant, it’s also an active ingredient in the non-intoxicating, legal hemp plant. Hemp and marijuana are both versions of the cannabis plant – the difference between the two is that while marijuana contains at least 0.03% THC (the active ingredient in marijuana that gets you high), hemp doesn’t contain any.
CBD derived from hemp plants is legal across the US. Don’t worry – you won’t feel funny or get the munchies when you take CBD. I only tend to notice that my mind feels clearer and I don’t have any “brain fog.” What a great way to start the morning!
Check In With your Mindset.
Small wins set you on a positive path because they make you feel good about yourself and your productivity. If I step out of bed and tell myself that I’ve wasted the morning, I’m not going to feel so great as I hop in the shower or organize my to-do list. If I step out of bed and tell myself that I’ve got all the time in the world, I’ll believe it.
Cultivating a positive mindset can be done with a little help. I pop a few drops of orange essential oil into the base of my shower for a sweet smell and clear mind. Small studies show that orange oil can help to reduce anxiety and increase alertness. In addition to CBD, The DROP contains orange and cinnamon essential oils for a morning mood boost. Cinnamon essential oil is often used in aromatherapy to provide a fresh atmosphere.
Stick To It!
Why is it so important to take small steps? They make it easier to stick to your routine. A drop of CBD tincture or answering one email can help bring me back to a clear head space anytime, anywhere. When I check these items off my to-do list, it’s easier to fall back into my routine and have a productive, enjoyable day.
