Rise and shine, butterflies! We all value our beauty rest and would much rather stay home in our cozy beds but, let's face it, we have work to do! Overcoming the morning blues can be difficult, especially if you are not an early bird or a morning person. What you might not realize is, conquering your mornings is all about your routine and energy.

In order to develop a good morning routine, it takes time and some practice but it's worth it. The best way to ensure that you are having a good day is to start off in the best way possible. Let's set some morning routines into practice to brighten your days.

Wake Up to Music That Uplifts You

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Wake up earlier and to the music that moves you. Personally, I wake up in the morning to artists such as Jill Scott and Erykah Badu because their voices are soothing and their lyrics exude self-confidence. If I feel like I need a push to go to the gym in the morning, I would set my alarm to an artist like O.T. Genasis. His voice is loud and forceful which is just the sound that you may need to give you that extra push to get up in the morning. Using Alexa to set my alarms has been a great help towards setting my daily alarms for Monday through Friday. If you don't have Alexa, try to use an actual alarm versus using your phone. If you have to use your phone as an alarm, make sure your phone is not easily accessible so that you are forced to get out of your bed to turn it off. Music therapy is a good way to set yourself up for a positive day. Use music to help get into the groove of things.

Let Go of All Judgements, Expectations and Comparisons

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There are two things that are essential for creating the positive day that you desire. First, is to be grateful for having the pleasure of waking up, living, and breathing. Second, is to kindly remind yourself to let go of all judgements, expectations, and comparisons. All three of these things can play a pivotal role in how you carry yourself throughout the day. The goal is to start your day at ease and with a peaceful mind. The last thing you want to do is to allow judgments, expectations, and comparisons to weigh down on your spirits. The purpose is to make the morning time your time only.

No Social Media for the First 1-2 hours of Your Day

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Many of us are guilty of waking up and the first thing that we check is social media. Social media has truly become a way of life and very influential but it can also become one of our biggest distractions. For many of us, social media is a tool used to run our businesses, sponsorships, or influence others. Yet, it doesn't hurt to limit your engagements on social media. As a means to put yourself first, try to avoid logging into social media for the first 1-2 hours of your day. Use your mornings to focus on you and taking proper care of yourself. You want to be more productive and limiting your time on social media gives you more time to narrow in on everything that you need to do for the day.

Stretch/Exercise

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Reach to the sky, take a deep breath, and relax your mind. Sometimes the best way to start your day is with a good stretch. Stretching helps to relieve stress and tension within the muscles. Get some circulation flowing throughout your body so that you can cope better with your day and what it entails. Give yourself at least 5 minutes to lift your energy levels with a good stretch.

Do Not Skip Breakfast

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Whatever you do, do not skip breakfast. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Whether the meal is big or small, the nutrients count towards your energy. Starting your day with an empty stomach can have a huge effect on your productivity. Put yourself first by feeding your body with the nutrients it deserves.

Place Affirmations on Your Mirror to Recite

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Whether it's a quote from your favorite author or song lyrics, positive words, and affirmations are important for you well-being. Begin your morning by reciting positive words as you take a look into the mirror. Speak inspiration and great vibrations into yourself and don't wait for others to do it. Take control of how you feel about yourself by writing messages that remind you of who you are and your goals in life. Be honest with yourself and speak into existence what battles your plan on tackling for the day.

Set the mood right for yourself and do it early. You'll see a difference within yourself and how you approach your daily activities and interactions with others. Remember that how you treat yourself is valuable. In order to show up in best form you have to take proper care of yourself. Find your morning nitch and stick to it. Be your own calm before the storm.

Did you know that xoNecole has a new podcast? Join founder Necole Kane, and co-hosts Sheriden Chanel and Amer Woods, for conversations over cocktails each and every week by subscribing to xoNecole Happy Hour podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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