I consider myself a healthy person overall. No chronic issues, no major diseases. Every day that I wake up and am able to roll out of bed I feel blessed!
When I think about habits that contribute to higher productivity, I can’t overlook what I’ve learned from the medical community over the years. Thanks to all their research here’s how I typically spend the first hour of my day:
- I avoid my phone. I try not to even pick it up. Because if I do, within seconds I’m checking email and am immediately reacting to others’ requests.
- Drink water. Usually 2-3 cups (16-24 ounces). I’m not a good water drinker but find it easy to drink a lot in the morning because I’m most thirsty in the morning.
- Stretch. I have memories of my grandma doing stretches each morning and considering she lived to be almost 100, I think she knew something I’m just now finding out. Stretching gets the blood flowing and safely gets your muscles started for a new day. I aim for 15-20 minutes of stretches, which often lead to other exercises like the treadmill or a short weight routine. Lately I’ve been using www.FitnessBlender.com to find 20-30 minute workouts.
- Eat a high-protein breakfast. Eggs, dairy and meat are great sources of protein. Keep things simple; breakfast shouldn’t be difficult to pull off otherwise you’ll be tempted to skip it.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep. Experts tell us the importance of getting 8 hours of sleep and this research has never wavered.
