Your day can begin incredibly different than it would if you did certain things to set yourself up for success in the morning. The morning can often be a fast, busy, routine. Who says it can't be healthy, inspiring, and restful? Here are some thoughts that you might want to consider the next time you wake up.

1. Wake Up Early

This can be very tough. No matter how early you already get up. Something, I would suggest. Whatever time you currently wake up at, wake up 30 minutes earlier. Give yourself 30 extra minutes. Maybe you need 30 more minutes to sleep, but I would highly recommend for those 30 minutes, to just sit in your bed. Enjoy the morning, because this might be the only time of rest you can get.

2. Choose a Calming Alarm

There's nothing worse than waking up to an annoying alarm. But you also don't want something that will put you back to sleep. Play something that will get your attention; perhaps a song that will get you singing or thinking. Begin your day with a beautiful song that will welcome you into the day. Along, with this, play music throughout your entire morning. Anything calm. I'd recommend John Mayer's "The Search for Everything".

3. Timed Coffee Makers

If you don't know what this is, basically it's like a Keurig that makes you your coffee without you having to do anything, that way when you do wake up, you wake up to the smell of coffee. And there is nothing better than that.

4. Pray and Get in the Word

Church leaders will always challenge you to make sure you have a devotional at some point in the day. For me, it's in the morning. Why? Because from the beginning of the day, my whole self is focused on living for the Lord. It helps. I'd recommend even if you don't want to do much, get the book Jesus Calling or Jesus Always. Short daily devotionals with inspired word that feel like there directly from Jesus.

5. Make Your Bed

There are plenty of studies on this, but it's true! You accomplish something right in the beginning of the day and you can say that you've done something already! Plus, there's nothing better than coming back to a welcoming bed.

What else would you add to this list? Let me know! These are just 5 things that I make sure to do every morning, and I would encourage you to do so as well! Good luck! Make it a GREAT morning.