It is said that having a morning routine sets us up for success during the day. Why? Routine becomes rote or second nature. When routine becomes…well routine we no longer need to think about what we are going to do immediately after getting out of bed.
Why is this important? Maybe it is not. Maybe it is. It depends upon how many decisions you need to make during a day and how much making decision effects you in a negative way.
There is something called ‘decision fatigue’. Delaying the effects of decision fatigue can give you energy further into the day. You will stay alert and energized longer if you delay making decision for the first 30 to 60 minutes of the day.
Big decisions and difficult decisions tend to be made in late morning. Morning routines reduce stress and anxiety plus improves focus and and drive the remainder of the day.
My routine? Make the bed, relieve myself, start brewing coffee, check on the garden (regardless of time of year, we have a grow room in the house), take a shower (if needed), pour a cup of coffee, take my supplements and a.m. medications, brush my teeth, prepare a bagged breakfast and lunch, get dressed, pour a travel mug of coffee, put my backpack, lunch and coffee in the car, drive to work.
Depending upon time of year and if I take a shower. 30 to 90 minutes. Watering and harvesting outside garden beds/containers can take 30 to 60 minutes by itself. A shower consumes roughly 20 minutes.
Once at work, With luck, thinking and/or a decision will not need to be made until 15 minutes after arriving at work. Fire up the laptop, check meeting schedule for the day, consume the breakfast in my bag while checking overnight email, relieve myself.
Most experts will say do something physical like yoga or jogging or power walking or lifting…you get the idea. I have committed to becoming a capable gardener and limit my physical activity each morning to watering, weeding, harvesting and other garden activities. Exercise happens after work, except on Saturday and Sunday.
I hope the routine becomes longer after retirement.
Ron's Ramblings 