Everyone has a morning routine, whether they realize it or not. Some morning routines include getting up, showering, getting dressed, and grabbing a bagel on the way out the door, while other routines are just simply hitting the snooze button every five minutes. A good and consistent morning routine is essential to having a more positive and productive day. Here are some ways to create a routine that is beneficial to both your physical and mental health.

Wake up around the same time every day

Consistency is key. Waking up at (or around) the same time every day creates consistency, and routine is something that the mind craves. Part of waking up around the same time every day is going to bed at the same time every day. Whatever time you go to bed, make sure you’re getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Establishing a set routine is beneficial to your mental health because it gives you something to rely on and it also gives you control.

Skip scrolling through social media

It’s always tempting to scroll through your social media accounts when you wake up in the morning, but this can actually be detrimental to your mental health— even if you’re not aware of it. We all know that social media typically only highlights the best parts of a person’s life, rather than their entire lives or even the reality. Still, these posts can trigger feelings of inadequacy, and this does not pose a good start to your day.

A lot of social media sites also show news coverage, which can cause more anxiety if you weren’t looking for news coverage on a specific event in the first place.

Try a light workout/yoga

Movement in the morning helps to get your blood flowing and gives you the energy you need to officially start your day. This doesn’t have to be anything intense or a full-on 30 minute workout. Simply 5 minutes of stretching, yoga, or meditation is all you need to do in the morning to get your blood flowing and to feel relaxed.

Light movement is also good for you physically, especially if you don’t have time to exercise throughout the day. To be able to get in 5 minutes of movement in the morning may still require you to get up a little earlier, meaning you’ll have to go to bed a little earlier as well.

Eat a healthy breakfast

Everyone has different nutritional needs, but it’s still important to have a healthy and balanced breakfast each morning. Eating gives you the energy you need for the day and without it, your body slows down to conserve energy. For breakfast, the best energy-boosting foods include: oatmeal, bananas, eggs, yogurt, avocados, coffee, and green tea.

Also, make sure you’re getting enough water each day— especially in the morning. If it’s hard for you to drink a lot of water, try infusing it with lemons, strawberries, cucumbers, and/or mint leaves.

Tweak your personal care routine

Brushing your teeth, maintaining your Occlusal Guard, showering, and other steps in your personal care routine can become too… routine. You can make subtle changes to your routine, such as trying a new aromatherapeutic body wash in the shower. The natural plant extracts in aromatherapy are known to help relieve feelings of stress and anxiety.

When making changes to the products in your personal care routine, be aware of products that contain toxins that can be detrimental to your physical health. Unfortunately, both new companies (that have not yet been FDA approved) and older companies (that are experiencing recalls on products) have personal care products on the market that may be harmful to your health.

The perfect morning routine doesn’t happen overnight, and it often doesn’t happen in one week. Try out different things to see which works best for you.