Some people like to sleep late into the morning; some like to exercise; some like to have a cup of coffee while reading. I’m a bit of an early riser, as mornings are my most productive time. After waking up, my mind is the most focused, calm, and open to creativity, and I have a single-minded desire to get things done. So, I typically use this time to finish anything I started the night before or any particularly difficult task I have been struggling to complete. This mental state lasts about an hour; to refresh, I “start over” by showering and eating breakfast. With this freshness, I am able to organize my to-do list and start my day!
Of course, this doesn’t happen every day; many mornings, I wake up with more stress as my sleep reawakens worries I put out of my mind the day before. When this happens, I realize my “productive hour” is sometimes best spent taking care of my mental health; otherwise, how can I be the best I can be the rest of the day? With any routine, the key is to remember that they can change—routines exist for those who make them, and a good routine is adaptable for your needs.