Baby Steps: Everyone starts somewhere, there is a first to everything. Starting small routines such as making your bed as soon as you wake up every morning can optimize your health and allow you to 

be more productive during the day. As simple as it sounds, it actually does have a major impact on your daily routine. It also can help you reach larger goals such as getting up earlier, prioritizing your nutrition, exercising and working out, being disciplined with work, etc. It’s important to remember that long term changes take time, effort, and patience. This is going to be a challenge for most people, but it’s important to not give up, as it takes at least 66 days for a new habit to form, that’s about 10 weeks. 

Motivation and Purpose: It’s important to remind yourself of the reason for these habits. These are not just simple tasks people do to make their life more aesthetically pleasing, they can actually change your attitude. For example, people are typically less stressed when they feel in control of what they are doing. Creating a routine instills a sense of stability and control, ultimately leading to less stress and anxiety, improving efficiency and decreasing fatigue throughout the day. 

The Tasks: Everyone’s lives are different, but how we approach each day can look similar. Coming into each morning with a sense of accomplishment right when you wake up (making your bed) can make you feel productive before even leaving your bedroom. This sets the tone for an efficient day rather than foreseeing a “lazy” or “unproductive” day. It is crucial to optimize exercise, as it is a main component in supporting your mental health. Whether that is a 30 minute walk around your neighborhood, a quick gym session, or a yoga workout on YouTube, all these exercises have many benefits. Firstly, exercising releases endorphins which is a “natural mood booster”. This means our body naturally feels more relaxed and happy after a workout. Exercise can also improve sleep quality and regulate sleep patterns allowing the body to be more thoroughly rested. Specifically, moving your body in the morning can have even more benefits, including enhanced cognitive performance (ex. Focus levels, work and school productivity) and increased energy levels. Many people may assume that working out will leave you more tired, as it is true that you may feel exhausted for a short period of time, although an average daily workout can increase energy levels as it improves your cardiovascular health. 

Show Up: Nobody is coming to tell you to get up early or work out, you need to stay accountable. Showing up for yourself is the number one priority. Firstly, this proves your self worth. Showing up for yourself means you are prioritizing your health and properly taking care of yourself. Secondly, stop waiting for the right time. There will never be a right time. As soon as one thing ends, a new thing comes. People always say “I will start tomorrow”, this means you’re not prioritizing yourself now. You are putting it off, but something will come up the next day, and the next, etc. So stop waiting for a time that isn’t coming and start now and improve yourself. You are the one thing you have complete control over, so stop letting life’s timeline control your success and start owning your life and become the best version of yourself. Your future self will thank you.