A productive day begins the moment you open your eyes, even before stepping out of bed. From mapping out your schedule to fueling up with a power-packed breakfast, your morning sets the tone for everything that follows. Dive into these simple yet effective tips to make the most of your day and bounce back when things go off track!

MORNING PEOPLE USUALLY FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES – THE BRIGHT-EYED ENTHUSIASTS AND THE GROGGY SNOOZERS.

The Bright-Eyed Enthusiasts are like Joy from Inside Out—bounding out of bed with a grin and arms stretched high, ready to seize the day. “It’s a brand new day!” they might cheer.

Meanwhile, the Groggy Snoozers resemble those who’ve clearly woken up on the wrong side of the bed—messy hair, sluggish movements, and a grumble or two before coffee.

Regardless of which type you are, each morning is a fresh start. Whether you’re shaking off the grumps or riding a wave of energy, here are five ways to own your morning and boost your productivity.

As tempting as it is, resist the snooze button! Those extra minutes of sleep can actually backfire. When you drift back to sleep after your alarm, your body starts a new sleep cycle. The next alarm interrupts it, leaving you groggy and disoriented.

This confusion, known as sleep inertia, can impair your alertness for up to four hours, according to Harvard Medical School. It makes even simple tasks feel harder because your brain hasn’t fully woken up.

BREAKFAST ISN’T JUST A MEAL—IT’S YOUR MORNING FUEL.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health emphasizes that breakfast replenishes your energy and nutrients, helping you stay focused and avoid that dreaded mid-morning crash. It also supports healthy weight management, as skipping breakfast often leads to overeating or reaching for sugary, fatty snacks later.

A balanced breakfast is easy to whip up—just include something from grains, dairy, and fruits or veggies.

Interestingly, Michelle Gass, former Starbucks president and now Kohl’s chief merchandising and customer officer, didn’t rely on coffee to jumpstart her day. For over 15 years, she’s been waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go for a run.

Exercise in the morning boosts productivity by energizing you and sharpening your focus. Try a quick bodyweight routine—jog in place for a minute, do 10 push-ups, 10 squats, 10 jumping jacks, and 10 lunges per leg. You can also find short workouts on mobile apps.

Start your day with a positive mindset. Believe it’s going to be a great one.

Your thoughts shape your day. A positive outlook reduces stress and anxiety while increasing energy and happiness. Motivational speaker Tony Robbins recommends an “Hour of Power” each morning to set the tone.

Visualize your day going smoothly and you’ll be more likely to tackle your tasks with ease and enthusiasm.

Have a plan before your day begins.

Andrea Allen from Resumes Planet likes to plan her day while eating breakfast. Setting goals early gives her clarity and helps her prioritize. With a clear schedule, she feels more organized and can check off tasks as she goes.

Mornings are your chance to take control while your mind is still fresh. Starting the day in a good mood can influence everything that follows.

So hop out of bed, try at least two of these tips, and make today a great one!