Morning it is the time to challenge yourself.

Best-selling author Ryan Holiday captures this the best: "A morning routine isn’t designed to be easy and soft. Far from it. It’s to prepare our mind and body for the war that is each day". You can't learn to be better without doing tough things. And morning, when you have the most of your energy, is the best time to do it:

Now, let's dive in.

1. Early Rising

"Is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” - Marcus Aurelius

Most people struggle with waking up in the morning, but they miss one fact - early rising is the beginning of the ritual that leads to a successful day. Early rising helps to:

Enjoy silence
Have time with yourself while other human beings are asleep
Cultivate discipline

2. Cold Shower

“Understand: your mind is weaker than your emotions. But you become aware of this weakness only in moments of adversity, precisely the time when you need strength" - Robert Greene

I go to cold showers every day and it's a hell of a fearful action.

Why would a healthy young man or woman expose yourself to such discomfort? To become strong, resilient, raise a pain threshold. After you get out of the shower, your successful day starts, because nothing will be worse than the feeling you just experienced.

3. Healthy Breakfast

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”

Alan Alexander Milne

Nothing is more important than reaching your potential as a human being. And to reach the peak of your potential you need a strong body, that can be built only by consuming the right food. Plus, it's a great time to sit in silence and thank nature for the food you're eating.

4. Read Daily Books

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” - Frederick Douglass.

Daily book is a great concept: read one page daily for the rest of the year. This way you're not overloading your brain with information and can concentrate on one topic at a time. For the beginning, I can advise you to read "Daily Stoic" by Ryan Holiday, and "The Daily Laws" by Robert Greene.

5. Journal

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius

Thinking only exists when you put it on paper. Otherwise, you forget your great ideas, reflection, and mindset patterns. Writing is not only a great skill, but a tool to structure your thoughts. I use the Obsidian note-taking tool to journal and link my writing with ideas from books, videos, and articles. Just look at my net of ideas.

6. Physical Exercise

"The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Mind and body are linked together tightly. In a modern world full of information most people forget about the importance of exercising. It not only will make you beautiful, healthy, and strong. It also positively affects your mind on a neurobiological level.

7. Set Daily Intentions

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” - Marcus Aurelius

Today is probably your last day. Do you want to spend it on the things you hate? So, plan your day carefully, and remind yourself of your goals and intentions. Stop for a minute and think about important things you should do today. And act relentlessly.

7 Stoic Morning Habits to Prepare Our Mind and Body for the War That is Each Day

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