Mornings can evoke strong emotions – happiness, irritation, annoyance, hope.  Some people aren’t even really human until they have their first cup of coffee! Research points out some people are morning people. More women (48.4 percent) than men (39.7 percent) said they were morning people. And people over 60 (63.1 percent) were much more likely to prefer mornings than people under 30 (24.2 percent), which fits with previous research that found older people tend to rise earlier.  No matter what, morning start your day and here are 5 morning activities to help you feel happier.

The Fresh Toast – A slight change in routine can make a difference, here are 5 morning activities to help you feel happier

There’s no way to trick yourself into being joyful and happy, but there are simple changes you can make to your morning routine that can change your outlook. Here are 5 morning activities that can help you feel happier:

Do something you love

Waking up is usually rushed, a moment where you quickly add in activities in order to get ready for your workday. Squeezing in something joyful can make a difference, whether that’s listening to your favorite podcast on your commute to work or listening to an audiobook as you prepare your coffee.

Delay morning habits that are tiring

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Checking your phone first thing in the morning or replying to emails before your work hours can be stressful and can quickly make you feel very grumpy. Delay these habits, adding in things that feel good to you before you commit to your work tasks. Keep your phone out of reach in order to avoid temptation and give yourself a few minutes to wake up.

Eat something

No matter if you’re a breakfast person or not, eating something in the morning can make you feel better and more energized, even if it’s just a snack. Having something in your stomach (preferably with some protein) will prevent overreactions to annoyances and will also prevent you from having embarrassing hangry episodes.

Meditate or exercise

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While it may be too much to ask to get up earlier than usual to sneak in a workout, the benefits are substantial. Even a 20 minute walk or bike ride can create some dopamine and make you feel accomplished, which will translate to your workday.

If exercising is too much, you can also try to meditate for a bit. The more consistent you are with your meditation, the more benefits you’ll reap. Meditation doesn’t ask for much of your time, you can do it straight from bed, and it will provide you with some much-needed silence and peace before you start your day.

Plan your day

If you’re a planner or someone who likes to make lists, planning your day can be fun and productive, giving you a semblance of control. Don’t overdo it with planning until the last detail, but a loose outline will help you stay on top of your duties and will make your day, especially the very busy ones, less intimidating.

Routines are key for successful mornings. While sometimes difficult to establish and easy to break, routines can help you create the time to do the things that you want to do and feel productive. When this is done in the mornings, it’s especially effective, since mornings tend to dictate the pace for the rest of the day.

While saying that you’re going to get up early and go for a run every morning is very easy, maintaining routines is tough. It demands consistency and not giving up. In order to establish a routine, it’s important to be patient with yourself and to set realistic and manageable goals. Here are 5 tips to help you develop a better morning routine:

Make natural light your friend

Natural light feels great and helps you wake up. The sun dictates your inner clock, which is why we get sleepy during the nighttime and more energized when the sun is on us. While your windows are a great tool, if you have the time, a morning stroll is a really good way of starting the day, reinvigorating your mood.

Wash your face

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Morning showers are great because they wake you up. Washing your face does a similar thing, waking you up and clearing the gunk out of your eyes. If you incorporate this into a larger routine, like washing your face after you brush your teeth and then applying some moisturizer or sunscreen, your habit will become stronger and easier to remember.

Have a good breakfast

Breakfast has a lot of lovers and haters, but if you’re a person who tends to have a bad time in the mornings, eating something nutritious can be a solution to your problems. Breakfast is not only filling, it’s important for your energy, which is super necessary in the mornings. Choosing foods that are rich in protein like yogurt or eggs, and pairing them with veggies and whole grains will leave you energized and craving for healthy and filling meals for the remainder of your day.

Move

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Moving is very important in the mornings. This doesn’t mean that you have to go out for a run, although that is a great thing to do in the mornings. Moving can simply mean making your bed, doing some chores like the dishes or folding clothes. Any type of movement will help you feel awake and more productive, which is a great mood to have first thing in the day.

Do something you love

Make the time in your mornings to do something you love, like playing a video game, listening to a podcast, reading a book, or listening to music. While you’ll likely have to wake up a little earlier than usual, doing something early on that you love will help you have a better mood and outlook on your day.