Use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning, and keep your phone in another room. It will not only help you sleep better (less screen time as you unwind before bed), but it will also ensure that the start to your morning is devoted to your morning rituals.  Uninterrupted YOU time and not answering to anyone else (emails, texts, Instagram, etc.). 

Any exercises that strengthen your core will help your spinal alignment for the rest of your day, not to mention get your blood flowing.  I’ve also read that an inversion has a dozen positive effects on your body…so get into that headstand!  Because of their movements, yoga and pilates are great practice to incorporate into your morning rituals.  And if that still sounds too aggressive for you, check out this no-excuses morning workout.

And of course, everyone’s heard that meditation is a key ingredient to success by now, especially for entrepreneurs.  The app Headspace is a simple way to get started (and one that I’ll be trying soon!). 

Journaling every morning for as little as five minutes can be just the thing your morning ritual is missing.  By writing down what you’re grateful for, you’re starting your day feeling content, satisfied and blessed in different areas of your life.  It’s a simple, proven way to improve well being and happiness…and everyone from athletes to movie stars to your neighbors and the UPS man are doing it (and so should you). 

The Five Minute Journal is a great way to get started; its simple, structured format keeps the guesswork out of it.  

According to Tim Ferriss, the simple act of making your bed gives you a feeling of accomplishment first thing in the morning. This is especially important for your productivity for the rest of the day because it encourages you to do even more tasks, ultimately enabling you to get more done. 

Also, when working from home (*raises hand*), having a clean, organized environment greatly affects your productivity…less distractions = more GSDing. 

After you’ve made your bed and given your soul a little hug (through exercise or meditation), go ahead and write down the most important things you need to get done that day.  By writing it all down and tackling the dire tasks first, you streamline your to-do list and boost your productivity levels.  You’ll be feeling like a million bucks as you cross off the must-do’s, and that feeling of accomplishment will fuel you through the rest of the day. 

Studies have shown us that wearing high heels takes its toll on your spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet, while altering your posture and gait. It places excess pressure on your knees, and takes your hips and spine out of alignment.  Though we’ll never give them up for good, we’re trying to limit our wears for the sake of our posture. 

Sitting with your legs crossed while you’re working causes your pelvis to roll forward.  This will cause pressure on your lower back because your spine will be “unstacked.”  Instead, sit with your feet flat on the ground if possible. 

It’s a hard habit to break, but staying cognizant of it will help you slowly change for the better.

Stretching and exercises that help lengthen the muscles in your chest, forearms and biceps will help improve your overall posture.  One of my favorites?  A deep crescent lunge with hands energetically reaching for the sky. You can also work on having a stronger back with rowing or pulling motions; the shoulder blades will pull down and allow for you to have an easier time standing up straight later. 

I’m guilty of doing this when I’m idle; shoving my hands in my pockets while waiting for something.  But this small gesture actually does more bad than good.  It leads to slouching shoulders, which will cause them to round and set your spine out of whack.  Instead, try to keep your hands by the side of the body when you’re standing still. 

If you’re at a computer all day, your computer monitor should be at eye level. Looking downward at for long periods of time creates excess strain on your neck.  Furthermore, any cushion or prop you can use for your lower back is helpful.  This back support does just the trick. 

Think you already do this?  To test yourself, try standing against a wall. Everything except the head should touch the wall, everything lined up with the spinal cord.  Your pelvis shouldn’t tilt forward, and everything should be stacked with your spine. 

You’ll be wise to look for a firm mattress, rather than a soft, pillowy one.  It provides better support to the body while sleeping, helping the body remain in a perfectly aligned position as you sleep.