7 morning habits of highly productive people, according to psychology

For years, I couldn’t figure out why I always felt so sluggish in the mornings.

You know the feeling: Struggling to get out of bed, feeling foggy and unfocused, unable to start the day on a productive note.

I was constantly feeling like I was playing catch up, never able to get ahead.

My lowest point hit about 3 years ago when I was juggling multiple projects and struggling to keep up. My mornings were a chaos of trying to get organized, too many cups of coffee, and an overwhelming sense of frustration.

My name is Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a psychology enthusiast. I knew there had to be a better way to start my day. After extensive research, trial and error, and a deep dive into psychology, I discovered 7 morning habits of highly productive people that turned my mornings around.

Let’s dive in.

1) Start with mindfulness

It may sound cliché, but the first habit I adopted that significantly improved my productivity was mindfulness.

For a person like me who was constantly overwhelmed by tasks, deadlines and to-do lists, engaging in mindfulness was a game-changer.

Starting my morning with mindfulness meant being fully present in the moment, not getting lost in thoughts about the day ahead or the tasks left undone from yesterday.

Whether I was making coffee or taking a shower, mindfulness allowed me to fully engage in the activity, rather than using it as background noise while my mind raced ahead.

Practicing mindfulness helped me clear my head and prepare for the day with a fresh, calm mind. It was like a reset button for my brain.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your mornings, try incorporating mindfulness into your routine. Start small: dedicate just five minutes each morning to focus on your breath. Feel your lungs expand and contract.

When your mind starts to wander, kindly bring it back to your breath. This simple practice could be the key to starting your day on a productive note.

2) Create a morning routine

I used to start each day as if it were a game of chance. Sometimes, I’d hit the ground running, but more often than not, I’d find myself overwhelmed before breakfast.

Then, I stumbled upon a quote from the renowned psychologist, William James: “All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits.”

That line hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that I needed to create a morning routine that would set the tone for my day.

So, I started listing out the things that I wanted to accomplish each morning and arranged them into an order that felt natural and manageable. Over time, this routine became second nature.

Now, instead of waking up feeling scattered and stressed, I move through my morning with purpose and calm. Having a routine has given structure to my mornings and made me noticeably more productive.

If your mornings feel chaotic and unproductive, consider creating a morning routine. Remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple actions like making your bed or drinking a glass of water. Small habits can lead to big changes.

3) Prioritize physical activity

I used to think that I didn’t have time for exercise in the morning. I was already pressed for time, and adding a workout seemed impossible. But the more I read about the benefits of morning exercise, the more I realized that I couldn’t afford not to make time for it.

So, I started waking up just 30 minutes earlier to squeeze in a quick jog or a yoga session. At first, it was tough. But soon, I noticed that these morning workouts were giving me more energy and focus throughout the day.

In fact, on days when I missed my morning workout, I felt sluggish and unproductive. It became clear that this physical activity was not just beneficial, but essential for my productivity.

Now, no matter how busy my schedule is, I always ensure to incorporate some form of physical activity into my morning routine.

Consider adding some form of exercise to your morning routine. It doesn’t have to be intense or lengthy – even a quick walk around the block can make a significant difference. Trust me, your mind and body will thank you.

4) Incorporate a healthy breakfast

I confess, I used to be one of those people who skipped breakfast regularly. I was always in a rush, and grabbing something to eat just didn’t seem like a priority. But then, I came across a study published in the journal “Frontiers in Public Health” which revealed that consuming a healthy breakfast positively impacts cognitive function and boosts short-term memory.

That was a lightbulb moment for me. I realized that by skipping breakfast, I was actually doing myself a disservice and potentially affecting my productivity.

So, I started making time for a nutritious breakfast each morning. Whether it’s a bowl of oatmeal with fruits or an omelet with vegetables, having a well-balanced meal in the morning has made a noticeable difference in my energy levels and cognitive performance throughout the day.

Now, I never miss my morning meal.

5) Avoid digital distractions

Like many people, I used to start my day by reaching for my phone. Checking emails, scrolling through social media, reading news – I was doing all of these before even getting out of bed. It was a habit that ate up my time and scattered my focus.

One day, I decided to experiment with a digital-free morning. Instead of reaching for my phone first thing, I kept it on airplane mode until I finished my morning routine.

The difference was astounding. My mind felt clearer, and I felt more present in my activities. I had more time for things that mattered, like exercise and mindfulness.

Now, avoiding digital distractions in the morning has become a non-negotiable part of my routine.

If you’re finding it hard to focus or feeling overwhelmed in the mornings, consider keeping your phone on airplane mode until you’ve completed your morning routine. It might feel strange at first, but the mental clarity it brings is well worth it.

6) Practice gratitude

I’ve always been somewhat of a pessimist, always focusing on what’s wrong or what could go wrong. Eventually, I realized that I was letting negative thoughts cloud my mornings and set the tone for my day.

So, I started a gratitude journal. Each morning, before starting my day, I would write down three things I was grateful for. Some days it was big things like a job promotion or a loved one’s health, and other days it was as simple as a warm cup of coffee or a sunny day.

Over time, this habit of gratitude changed my outlook. I started each day with a more positive mindset and noticed an increase in my productivity and overall happiness.

Try incorporating a gratitude practice into your routine. It may seem small, but it can make a big difference in setting a positive tone for your day.

7) Embrace imperfection

In my quest for productivity, I would often get caught up in the idea of a ‘perfect’ morning. I would stress if I couldn’t fit in a full workout or if my breakfast wasn’t Instagram-worthy. This pressure for perfection was actually hindering my productivity and causing unnecessary stress.

Then, I realized that the most important thing wasn’t having a picture-perfect morning but rather setting a positive tone for the day.

So, I decided to embrace imperfection. If I could only fit in a 10-minute workout instead of my usual 30-minute one, that was okay. If I had to grab a quick smoothie instead of making a full breakfast, that was okay too.

This shift in mindset relieved a lot of pressure and surprisingly, made me more productive.

Now, I start each day with the understanding that things won’t always go as planned, and that’s perfectly fine.

The goal is to set a positive tone for your day, not to create a picture-perfect morning. Start small: allow yourself the grace to have some flexibility in your routine and see how it positively affects your productivity.

Conclusion

Incorporating these seven habits into my morning routine has been transformative for my productivity and overall well-being. But remember, change doesn’t happen overnight.

Start by picking one habit from this list that resonates with you. Stick to it for a few weeks before adding another one. Small, consistent changes often lead to significant results.

Above all, be patient with yourself. Embrace the journey and the small daily improvements. They add up to create a more productive and fulfilling life.

So, go ahead and give these habits a try. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference they can make in your mornings and your overall productivity.