5 Morning Habits That Have Made Me More Successful (and Less Stressed)
Introduction
If you find your life chaotic, stressful, and unproductive, you may need to rethink your morning routine. Here are 5 morning habits that have made me successful (and less stressed).
Perform the same wake-up routine every morning.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: This tip is the most important to keep in mind. Chances are that you’ll craft a routine that’s personal for you (which you should). What’s most important is that you stick to it. Not only will you minimize decision fatigue, but you'll also start your day in a well-structured manner (instead of your typical chaotic runaround that sets a stressful tone. The key to your productivity and happiness will mostly depend on your autopilot behaviors… — he behaviors that really steer your time. If they are ineffective and anxiety-producing, any positive effort outside of them will be fruitless.
2. Wake up at the same time every day…without snoozing.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Your body operates on a circadian rhythm. In fact, it depends on it to run effectively and efficiently. Any time you go to bed or wake up at different times, you keep your body guessing. Suppose you wake up at the same time every morning, on the other hand. In that case, your body will become accustomed to this habit and efficiently release hormones up to 3 hours before, slowly waking you (while allowing the proper rest your organs need). I repeat an essential statement for my snoozers: Efficiently release hormones up to 3 hours to slowly wake you. Moral of the story: Let your body wake you naturally. Snoozing only breaks up your REM sleep and leaves you drowsy (and the REM sleep is the valuable sleep you need for recovery). Any sleep you get after a snooze is a tease and a waste, since it can take up to 45 minutes to reach REM sleep again. If you set your alarm for 7:00 am and snooze until 7:30 am, do everyone else in the house a favor and just set it for 7:30 am. Just be sure to roll out of bed as if there’s a fire in the house to resist the urge to sleep longer.
3. Perform the same lineup of getting ready.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Why waste time thinking about everything you have left to do while walking around like a sleepless zombie (yes, I know: redundant)? Take the guesswork out of your morning lineup. You’re less likely to forget to do something and more likely to minimize the frantic run-around before you leave. And you’ll be efficient! Here’s my lineup:
-Shut off the alarm.
-Run to the bathroom with my work clothes as if the bed was on fire.
-Put in my contacts.
-Shave my face.
-Rub on “Make my Face 20 Years Younger” lotion.
-Fix my hair.
-Brush my teeth while starting the coffee maker.
-Etc., etc., etc..
I do this lineup every morning (and on weekends, too). Your list should be just as structured and detailed.
4. Prepare at least two meals for the day.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: The healthiest people prepare their meals. Unless you’re Tom Brady or Angelina Jolie, you probably need to wear the chef hat in the morning. If you don’t, you’re taking a chance on takeout or restaurant service. I make 3threemeals each morning between 7:10 and 7:25: Meal 1, Meal 2, and Meal 3. That’s right, folks…my eating regimen sounds like a feeding regimen for a thoroughbred. Using a blend of fresh or frozen vegetables, prepared or canned beans, nuts, seeds, and a small amount of animal protein, I can make my meals for the day in just 15 minutes (and you can too).
Don't forget that one of these meals must be breakfast. I don’t budge on this rule. You should never start your day on a deficit. If you disagree, ask yourself this: Do you not eat breakfast because...
1.) You never have time?
2.) You’re stressed and lose your appetite easily?
3.) You want to save the calories for overindulging later in the day?
4.) Your favorite celebrity does it, or a friend unscientifically happens to lose weight while cutting out breakfast?
You probably answered “yes” to at least one of these questions. Before you say “I don’t do that,” you may want to reevaluate the reasons why. More often than not, the reason is convenience, you're unwilling to adapt, or another intent unrelated to optimal health.
5. Read a book (not a screen) while you eat breakfast.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: I’ve hit a wall here…I’m genuinely struggling to come up with interesting reasons to sell the act of reading to you. Sadly, most people need to be convinced to read, even though it’s pivotal to our learning process, helps us organize our thoughts, and contributes to a broader vocabulary and better problem-solving skills. Even though the act of reading isn’t sexy, the most successful people in the world are constant learners (and readers). If that doesn’t entice you, reading can also help you create more mental space by narrowing your focus and reducing your stress. Most importantly, it forces you to slow down your life for a moment (you can’t run around and read a book at the same time…although I’ve seen people try on the treadmill).
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.
If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
