9 Life-Improving Morning Routines
Brain-friendly exercise
We all have our own morning routines that help us get out the door quickly and “mindlessly.” Because of these habits, the brain can run on autopilot and work better. Routines are also hard at bedtime when we need to relax after a day of mental and physical stress.
Our morning and evening routines are so ingrained that they are the best times to do something different to wake up new brain circuits.
#1 Wake Up and Smell the Vanilla
For a week, keep an extract of your favorite scent in an airtight bottle on your bedside table and release it when you wake up, and do it again after you bathe and dress.
Odds are you can’t remember specifically when you “learned” to associate the smell of coffee with the start of the day. By consistently linking a new odor with your morning routine, you are activating new pathways
#2 Close your eyes while you shower.
Locate the taps and adjust the temperature and flow according to your tactile senses. In the shower locate all necessary props by feel, then wash, shave, and so on, your eyes shut.
Your hands will probably notice varied textures of your own body you aren’t aware of when you are “looking.”
#3 Brushing Roulette
Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth. Alternate morning activities include eating, using the TV remote, eating, putting on your cufflinks, shaving, and doing makeup.
You must use the opposite side of your brain from what you typically do in this exercise. The areas of the cortex that regulate and process tactile input from the hand can experience a rapid and significant expansion of circuits as a result of this type of training, according to research.
#4 Touch of Style
Without looking, choose clothing, shoes and so on, with matchmaking or contrasting textures.
For instance, you may make it a day that is silky smooth or a day that is rough and nubby.
Make use of not only your fingers, but also your cheeks, lips, and even your feet; all of these areas are densely populated with receptors that detect fine touch.
This has been observed in monkeys that have been taught to use their fingers to get food and in blind people who read Braille.
#5 Limit the Sound
Join the family for breakfast, but this time, wear earplugs so you can explore the world without noise.
If you wear earplugs, you won’t be able to hear the toaster clicking or the sugar dish clanging, so you’ll have to rely on other indicators to determine when those things have happened.
#6 Bring in something new
Although we wouldn’t advise doing all of these at once, consider incorporating one or two of the following:
- Vary your regular order.
- If you often start your day with a bagel and coffee, swap it out for some hot oatmeal and tea.
- Change your radio alarm’s setting or turn on a morning TV show you never watch.
- Take the dog on a stroll down a different street.
Imaging studies of the brain show that new tasks activate a lot of the cortex, which means there is more brain activity in several different areas. This activity went down when it became routine and easy to do. When doing something new, you use a lot more “brain power” than when doing something routinely.
#7 Create a Sensational Bath Symphony
Use different things to stimulate the senses, like scented bath oils and soaps, body scrubs, champagne or tea, candlelight, and music. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of smells, textures, and lighting to make connections between old and new ideas.
Many people feel a certain way when they smell certain things. When this happens, you form a useful association that can be used to relieve stress by simply smelling the aroma/scents or hearing the tune again.
#8 Pleasures of voice
Read aloud with your partner.
Both the left and right hemispheres of the cortex were involved in word hearing, but only the right hemisphere was involved in word speaking, which stimulated the motor cortex on both sides of the brain and the cerebellum.
#9 Sex
Sexual arousal is greatly influenced by novelty or the excitement of trying something brand new. The challenge of lovemaking, especially in a long-term marriage, is discovering new and exciting ways to experience one another.
Put on silk, cover the bed in rose petals, light lavender incense, use scented oils, play soft music, and do anything else that makes you feel passionate.
