We all know that it’s important to start the day right to get the most out of it. But what’s the best way to start your day? Well, one of the keys to a great day is starting with a smile, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. It can boost your productivity, they say, leading to a better day, not only for you, but for others around you.
A Five-Point Routine for Productivity
Writer and CEO Ebraheem Al Samadi recommends five steps to help make sure your day starts and stays productive:
- Take a moment to breathe
- Get hydrated
- Get a good breakfast
- Take care of yourself
- Smile
The overall goal of these five steps is to lower stress, put your body in shape for the day ahead, and enhance positivity.
There is something to the idea of taking a moment to breathe when you first wake up in the morning. Many of us start the day by jumping out of bed, and that sets the pattern: we’re jumping all day. Taking a moment to enjoy being awake in the new day is a great way to set a more relaxed routine for your day. It also gives you an important piece of information: if you can’t stay in bed for a few minutes without dozing off again, you’re not getting enough rest. If you’re spending enough hours in bed, maybe it’s sleep apnea that’s stealing your sleep.
Hydration is also very important to starting your day. Overnight, we tend to lose a lot of liquid. That means we can be dehydrated in the morning, so it’s a good idea to start with a glass of water first thing. It can also help normalize the pH in your mouth, which can drop overnight (especially if you breathe through your mouth).
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, according to the cliche. It’s hard to dispute, because if you don’t break your fast, you won’t eat any meals that day! Al Samadi emphasizes the importance of a breakfast that gives a balance of vitamins, energy, and proteins. Many of us in America eat too much sugar in our breakfast, which can give us a boost, but can also lead to a midmorning crash (not to mention the cavity risk!).
Self-care in the morning is about more than just getting dressed to look your best at work. Some level of physical activity can be helpful to reduce your stress and get your blood flowing so you’re ready to work. And, again, it helps you set a routine for the day. If you start your day in a healthy way, it’s easier to keep it healthy.
So how does a smile fit in here? Well, it does many of the same things that the other parts of the routine do. Smiling helps relieve your stress. It also makes you feel better. And it can boost your health. Plus, if you get in the routine of smiling in the morning, you’re more likely to smile more through the rest of the day, which can help other people feel good, too.
What If You Can’t Face Your Smile in the Morning
Having a smile be part of your morning routine can also serve as a vital test. Although a smile can have important benefits in your personal and professional relationships, and is an essential part of your personal brand, it’s most important that you be happy with your smile. And if you’re not, maybe it’s time to consider a smile makeover.
If you would like to get a smile that will make you feel happy in the mornings, please call 703) 323-8200 today for an appointment with Northern Virginia cosmetic dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban in Burke.
