10 things to do before 10 AM (11 photos)

Marcus Aurelius once said, "When you wake up in the morning, consider that you have once again received the precious privilege of being alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to love."

This article contains a list of morning activities that will set a good tone for the rest of the day.







1. Meditate

Meditation or even a simple "deep breath" exercise will help you start your day with a sense of calm. Instead of reaching for your phone and checking your morning email, take a few minutes to simply sit in silence.

During the day, we tackle many large and arduous tasks—allow yourself to begin on a calmer note. Furthermore, meditation will help you tune in, making you more focused and energized.





2. Thank Yourself

"If the only prayer you pray in life is 'thank you,' that will be enough" (Meister Eckhart). Start your day by being grateful for what you have. This practice will teach you a very important skill—being grateful for the small successes you achieve over the next 24 hours. This will make you more resilient to the challenges that arise throughout the day.



3. Figure out what to do today

The earlier you plan your day, the more effectively and productively you'll spend your time. Once you've done this, schedule time to address problems as they arise.



4. Drink a glass of water

Your body wakes up dehydrated, so it's crucial to drink some water first thing in the morning. In her book, The Body Ecology Diet, nutritionist Donna Gates suggests drinking half of your daily water intake in the morning. This will flush out toxins, reduce hunger, and reduce the risk of headaches throughout the day.



5. Stretch

It's hard to find someone who wakes up with a light, agile body. And getting into the habit of stretching isn't easy. However, research shows that morning stretching can increase flexibility, improve circulation, and reduce pent-up stress. Plus, you'll greatly improve your posture.



6. Listen to music

Starting your day with music will give you a lot of pleasure, lift your mood, and give you positive energy for the next 24 hours. Research shows that music can increase overall motivation and productivity. So treat yourself!



7. Eat a healthy breakfast

We all often rush out the door with a cup of coffee and an empty feeling in our stomachs. You sit down at your desk and immediately start dreaming of that cherished lunch break. There's nothing good about that. Take advantage of the extra time in the morning to give your body the fuel it needs to function effectively throughout the day. This will help you focus on work, not your growling stomach. Breakfast not only benefits your physical health, but also provides an opportunity to connect with loved ones.



8. Smile

Start your day with a smile in the bathroom mirror. It has a positive effect on your overall well-being and mood, even when you're not feeling particularly happy. Smiling makes people feel more trusting, and remember—successful people are always positive.



9. Clean up after yourself in the evening

Our lives are hectic, so sometimes you can forget about small chores in the morning. Sometimes we leave clothes scattered around the house, leave dishes in the sink, and don't clean up after ourselves. All this can accumulate day after day, but eventually it turns into simple laziness.

But imagine how wonderful it will be when you come home and everything is tidy and clean. You can simply relax and unwind.



10. Do the hardest work first

It may seem like the best way to tackle a bunch of small tasks in the morning, but if you tackle the most difficult task first, everything else will be completed even faster and more efficiently. Plus, it's a great way to combat procrastination for those who are used to putting things off.