When the alarm clock rings, one can still feel exhausted from the day before. However, after mustering the strength to roll out of bed, it is possible to set oneself up for a better morning and a more successful day.

Dr. Vinay Saranga, psychiatrist and founder of Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry, has offered a few tips on how to start the morning right. People should avoid reaching for their phone and avoid being sucked into the digital world before starting the day in the real world. The alarm clock app on phones makes it convenient and tempting to check for messages, emails, news, and social media notifications as soon as one wakes up. News changes at the speed of light these days, but personal messages and emails will still be there after completing a new healthy morning ritual.

People should drink a glass of water in the morning. Sleep is meant to be restorative. While sleeping, the body is still carrying out many essential functions. It naturally metabolizes toxins in one's system overnight, so drinking plenty of water in the morning will help the body flush out these toxins and rehydrate the cells and organs in the body.

Eating a healthy breakfast is important, too. Although it might be tempting to make sausages and pancakes, these foods have little nutritional value per calorie. There are better options, although eating a healthy breakfast may require more planning. The body needs food with high nutritional value in the morning. A healthy choice like yogurt, fruit, or a protein shake is a much healthier option to start the day.

People are encouraged to make a to-do list, ideally before going to bed. The brain is not in a high-functioning state first thing in the morning, so the beginning of the day may not be the best time to set priorities for the day. Writing the list before going to bed can help get some tasks off one's mind, allowing the mind to rest better. Making a list will also allow one to wake up with a sense of purpose, already knowing what one wants to accomplish that day.

Meditation and exercise are other ways to start the day out in a positive way. There are many techniques for meditation, from mindful breathing to yoga. The purpose of meditation is to achieve mental clarity and emotional stability. Many meditation techniques take just a few minutes. Exercising first thing in the morning can be challenging to some people, but it is a good way to jumpstart the mind and body. Increasing the flow of blood and oxygen through the body can make an impact on the entire day. If one is unable to exercise every morning, alternating meditation and exercise can be an option.

It is also important to continue a healthy routine throughout the day. A healthy morning routine is essential to physical and mental wellness. Creating a healthy morning routine can further the health of the mind and body while setting one up for a positive day. People can continue their healthy habits during the day by finding small ways to live a healthy lifestyle.

Above all, Saranga said, it is important to be kind to oneself during these challenging times. People should not feel guilty as they work on reaching their self-improvement goals. Sometimes, the road to success is one step forward and two steps back.