What’s your morning routine like? Everyone has a different way of going about their mornings, and we all have different habits. But did you know that there are scientifically proven routines that do wonders for the rest of the day? These are things you should try to fit in before 12 pm if you can.
Here Are 12 Things To Do Every Day Before 12 PM
Add these small tasks to your morning routine. You will become more productive and feel better motivated.
1. Make The Bed
It seems like something small and inconsequential, but doing a task as simple as making your bed is a great way to start the day. This is because it gets your momentum going. Essentially, completing a small task like this one kickstarts your brain into wanting to do more tasks.
No one can deny that getting out of bed in the morning is difficult, and motivating your groggy brain is harder. If you get your bed tidy and prepared for later, you’ll be able to wake yourself up in an easy, routine way that lends itself to better routines. Even small accomplishments can give you the motivation you need.
Plus, at the end of a long, tough day, you’ll be able to crawl into a comfortable, well-made bed. It’s the perfect way to close the day’s chapter positively.
2. Have A Bath Or Shower
Personal hygiene is crucial to mental health. If you’re home all day, you might think hopping in the shower in the morning is unnecessary, but it can make all the difference. Jump in and take a quick one, or take a dip in the bathtub to help get rid of residual sleepiness, sweat, and dirt.
Washing and cleaning your body can be revitalizing and even give you a boost in energy. It helps refresh you, so you’re not just cleaning your skin – you’re also cleaning your mind.
3. Exercise
Even a little bit of physical activity is good for you, and it’s best to do in the morning or early in the day. It can be hard to convince yourself to get your butt going, especially if you’re feeling not-quite-awake, but you don’t have to hit the gym for an hour or go for a several-mile run in order to reap these benefits.
There are plenty of simple forms of exercise you can perform for this purpose, including:
- Stretches
- Yoga
- Walking
- Jogging
- Running
- A selection of workout moves
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Anything that gets your heart pumping!
Early-day exercise boosts positive thinking, gets your creative juices flowing, and prepares your body to tackle the day. It’s a wonderful habit to start doing and it can change your day entirely, all while making your body that much healthier.
4. Drink Water
The average person needs around eight glasses of water daily. As you approach the halfway mark of your day, you should make good progress on reaching this goal. This doesn’t mean you should force yourself to drink; if you usually barely drink, it can take a while to get used to increased water intake.
Drink two glasses of water in the morning, one before and one after breakfast. Then, drink another glass between then and 12 pm, or two if you had an early rise. Not only will this keep you healthy and hydrated, but it will also help you to stay more full, especially if you have a bit of snacking problem!
5. Have Breakfast
Many people skip breakfast, but it’s the most crucial of all the meals you’ll eat in a day. It gives you strength and nourishment, providing your body with the energy it needs to tackle the rest of the day. Without it, you’ll feel hungry and snack on unhealthy foods before lunch. Either that, or you’ll feel exhausted and incapable of positive thinking.
If you’re not used to having breakfast in the morning, you still need to fuel your body, but you can go a little lighter. Here are some simple, healthy, and often light breakfast ideas.
- Cereal
- Porridge
- Omelet
- Toast
- Fruits
- Smoothie
Don’t let lunch be your first meal of the day. If you want to start your day off right, eat a good, nutritious, balanced breakfast.
6. Listen To Music
Music soothes the soul and touches the heart in ways few other things can. It provides positive benefits to the body, including mood improvement, better creativity, and energizing power.
There are a lot of different kinds of music you might like, and there’s no one “best” type to listen to every day before 12 pm. Go for songs that make you happy! If that is perky and upbeat, well, even better.
If you tend to like sad, dark songs, it may be best to save them later. Slower songs can drag you down and make you feel bad. Still, we’re not here to judge, and if nothing makes you smile like a tearful piano ballad or some screaming, fatalistic rock, go for it!
7. Read
We know not everyone has time to read, but making room for a short skim through something before 12 pm on the daily is absolutely great for you. You can read just about anything, which will give you something positive. Here are some options:
- A newspaper
- A chapter of a book
- A magazine
- An article online
- A reading assignment for homework
- Study notes
Looking over homework or study notes can help you prepare for the day and make use of your time. If this stresses you out, opt for something lighter. Similarly, reading from a newspaper or online can keep you updated on current events and stimulate your brain. However, steer clear of overly sad news.
Meanwhile, reading fiction before 12 pm can give you a creative boost, allowing your imagination to create better innovation during a work or study day. Just make sure you don’t get too immersed in the chapter that you lose track of time! All kinds of reading sharpen your brain and help you focus during the day.
8. Social Contact
One great way to get your day going is through social interaction. Call a friend, text a loved one, compliment a stranger’s outfit, say hi to your cashier and ask how their day is going, or arrange to meet a friend for lunch.
This is especially crucial if you work from home, or do a job with minimal social contact. Social activity has immeasurable positive effects on the brain and can even help alleviate depressive symptoms; even if you’re an introvert, make an effort to reach out to someone before 12 pm – even if it’s just over text!
9. Deal With Emails
Email inboxes get full of spam, promotional messages, and social notifications quickly. Taking the time to delete them and clear unwanted emails can help you focus on the important ones. It can also make you feel professional and ready to take on the world.
With that being said, this doesn’t work for everyone. If it causes unwanted stress, drop the habit. Also, you should not check your email as soon as you wake up, as this can be stressful. Allow yourself to go about your morning routine before sitting down to handle email-related things.
Do note that the act of checking emails usually prompts you to do something or respond with an action. As such, it can give you a sense of urgency which can be helpful for daily focus, but not very good if you still have other things to do. Plan your routine accordingly so your emails don’t mess up your schedule.
10. Make A To-Do List
A to-do list doesn’t have to be very detailed. Simply write a general outline of what you have to get done. You can add more information if you want, but a short list will do the trick.
The act of writing a list like this is extremely helpful, as it causes your day to run more smoothly. It can motivate you to tick things off the list, which in turn helps you strive to complete them. Generally, to-do lists work because they keep you on task and maximize your productivity, so make one before 12 pm.
11. Do Your Least Favorite Tasks
We often put off tasks we dislike, procrastinating and procrastinating until they can no longer be done that day. This leads to a big pile-up of boring, hated things to do that are dangerously close to deadlines, all at once. To avoid this, spend your early day doing all the things you dislike. This can include:
- Making an appointment
- Doing a household chore you dislike
- Writing a difficult email or responding to an awkward text
Pushing aside less-than-fun tasks and errands can make you forget about them. Worse still, you’ll remember them too clearly and begin facing stress and anxiety as they loom over you, disrupting your focus. It’s best to get them out of the way. Trust us; you’ll thank us when you’re tired from a long day!
12. Get Some Fresh Air
Some days don’t require leaving the house, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. You should strive to leave your house before 12 pm every day, even if it’s just for a short while. This can give you extra energy, give you a little physical activity, and even help you relax if needed.
There’s something very rejuvenating about the outside world. Go for a short walk, pop to the store to grab something small, or stand outside and watch the world go by. It’ll do wonders for the day and make it much more positive.
It’s easy for us to become physically isolated from the world when we have access to everything on our smartphones and laptops. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with taking advantage of technology, but enjoying some fresh air now and then is important.
Final Thoughts On Some Things To Do Every Day Before 12 PM
Mornings are when we start the day. As such, it’s no surprise that ensuring healthy, helpful habits in the morning guarantees a better end result. By doing these 12 things daily before the clock strikes noon, you’ll be on your way to a more organized, productive, and happy day.
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