Have you been feeling stuck in the mornings? You mosey around the house, and two hours later you look at the clock and wonder where the time has gone. It can be frustrating wasting precious hours. Create a distinct routine that will promote healthy habits to improve your mind, body, and make you more productive. 

1. Wake Up Early: Benjamin Franklin had many sayings, and one of them was, “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” If you are going to bed early, you aren’t out on the town drinking. Getting plenty of rest will give you the ability to wake up refreshed the next day, ready to take on anything. By waking up early, you get more daylight hours to tackle anything that you need to do. You can make more out of your day, and fit more into every hour.
2. Do Something that Makes You Smile: Before you do anything, do something that makes you smile. Maybe that’s listening to your favorite song, talking to your grandchild, or looking at old photos. Whatever it may be, do it. The act of smiling creates a chemical reaction in our brains that sends out good feeling hormones. By starting your day off right, it can set you on the path to having an excellent day. No more “waking up on the wrong side of the bed”.
3. Make Your Bed/Do A Chore: As soon as you get up in the morning, rearrange the pillows and throw the covers back up. A well kept bed will make the entire room look clean. After your bed, do at least one other chore around the house. Wash the dishes that are left in the sink, clean a bathroom, or sweep the floor. Doing one chore a day will keep your home tidy throughout the week. It’ll also make you feel accomplished and you’ve only just begun your day.
4. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar and a Glass of Water: Before you guzzle as much coffee that can fit in your mug, drink a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar. Chase it with a full eight-ounce glass of water. Nothing will wake you up faster, and it won’t give you the afternoon crash like coffee does. You’ll have natural energy to carry with you throughout the day. Drinking apple cider vinegar is excellent for lots of things in the body. It can keep sore throats at bay, ease stomach trouble, and clear out your sinuses. We love our coffee, but it actually dehydrates us, which makes us feel more sluggish. The extra water in the morning is really the best way to kick-start our brain and replenish our water.
5. Have a Stretching/Exercise Routine: After you drink your water and do your chores, now it’s time to energize your body. Go for a run, bike, or other exercise routine that you want to follow. If you don’t have time for a full workout, then do a few stretches to keep you healthy and mobile. One of the first things that limits older folks is their mobility. If you don’t practice it, you can become stiff and uncomfortable in positions that were once normal. Spend about 30-60 seconds holding a stretch. Touch your toes, do child’s pose, high dragon, and downward facing dog to start. You can add more yoga poses as you advance.
6. Write A List of Goals: After stretching, clear your mind, and focus on what you want to accomplish with your day. Write down a list of three to five things that you want to accomplish that day. If you write it down you’re significantly more likely to actually accomplish it.

Set yourself up for a great day by making a few changes to your morning routine. Also, forget about the snooze button; it’s no longer an option. The second your alarm goes off, toss the covers off and put your feet on the ground. You’ll be glad you did!