I don’t know about you but there is something special about getting up that little bit earlier in the morning (even though the snooze button is tempting) and not rushing head first into the day. When I decide to get up before the world wakes, I call this my ‘bonus time’ and it’s my favourite part of the day.

The beauty of bonus time is that you can use it how you wish and make it work for your schedule and lifestyle. I understand that mornings can be busy but, by getting into the habit of getting up earlier you are maximising your time and this can help boost personal productivity. Getting into a refreshing morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and make it work for you. Creating healthy habits in the morning time will ultimately set the tone for your day.

Below are some ways that I like to use my ‘bonus time’ each day-

Create a daily to do list

Grabbing a pen and writing out and prioritising your responsibilities for the day ahead helps to keep me on track. This can help give you mental clarity on where your focus needs to be. These tasks could be work related, errands or admin. Writing them down can help clear your head space and make them achievable. I find that by writing down what I need to do first thing in the morning helps sharpen my attention and focus, daily.

Get your body moving

This could be simple stretching, a yoga flow or a walk to get your step count up. Movement is movement. I don’t put myself under pressure to do a strenuous work out in the mornings, I set the simple goal of moving my body in some shape or form each morning. This helps to get your blood flowing, wake you up, and gives you a natural boost of energy.

Prepare and enjoy a wholesome breakfast

Fuel your body for the day ahead; just like the engine of a car, it’s difficult to run on empty. I’m a big advocate of oats, they are so diverse, nutritious and versatile, what about a hearty bowl of porridge with your favourite fruit and toppings or why not enjoy a granola bowl with yoghurt, honey and your choice of delicious toppings. Take the time to create something you enjoy and actually sit down to digest it. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

Self-care is the best care

Use the extra time in morning to practice self-care. Whether that is enjoying a warm cup of tea, reading a book, applying makeup or making time for a shower. Do things in the morning that make you feel good, caring for your own needs before anyone else. It is not selfish, it’s essential. It is important to prioritise your own wellbeing as you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Annette x