Starting each day off on the right foot is an important ingredient in the recipe for life success and can improve one’s outlook, relationships, and professional opportunities. But the hustle and bustle of contemporary living – including work, family obligations, and more – often makes it difficult to do so.

To help as many people as possible reach their full potential, here’s a quick guide to starting the day off on the right foot.

Get Enough Sleep

For obvious reasons, it’s very hard to seize the day after a poor night’s sleep. And while everyone’s sleep needs are different – some can function on six hours of rest, but others require closer to 10 hours of slumber – getting enough sleep is universally advisable.

To do so, consider going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning – including on weekends – so as to develop a routine. Make time for sleep as opposed to cutting sleep to make time for different (seemingly more significant) activities.

As a general rule, most sleep experts recommend rising early. But as with one’s sleep needs, individual preferences – and schedules – vary.

Drink Water and Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Drinking water and eating a healthy breakfast are musts for individuals who wish to start the day off on the right foot. As metabolic processes run their course during sleep, the body uses fuel (food and water), which must be replenished upon waking.

Water consumption specifics depend upon the person at hand, but in most cases, it’s better to drink a bit too much water than it is to drink a touch too little. On the breakfast front, try for a balanced plate featuring proteins (eggs are a great option) for energy, fruit for nutrients, and perhaps some carbs (oatmeal and toast are popular) to burn off throughout the day.

Exercise

Exercising in the morning is, admittedly, easier said than done. Moreover, the prospect of working up a sweat before a workday or wading out into the cold to get in some steps is intimidating for many.

But exercise doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, or an endurance test and a little bit of effort will go a long way towards starting days off on the right foot. A few minutes of stretching followed by a brief walk around the yard, for example, can loosen muscles, get the blood pumping, and make the challenges of the day just a little less difficult.