The way you start your day can set you up for success or disappointment. A good morning routine can improve your mood and increase productivity for the day.

A big part of a routine is knowing that you get things done. Then, once they’re out of the way, you can focus on other things.

Yet, you can’t have a good routine without having the right frame of mind and a positive mindset.

One way to determine how effective morning routines can be is to look at those of successful people. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook says he likes to wake up early and exercise in the morning.

British business magnate Richard Branson says he also likes to get up as early as 5 am and start his day with some exercise.

Arianna Huffington and Oprah say they start their days with breathing and spiritual exercises like meditation and setting their intentions for the day. Clearly, they must be doing something right. So, why not follow in their footsteps?

In this post, we rounded up four morning rituals highly productive people follow. Try adding them one at a time to your mornings until you’re able to put together your own version of the best-ever morning ritual.

Remember, routines are mostly about self-care. It’s doing what feels good for you mentally and physically and helps get your day off to a good start.

It’s easy to be taken in by the allure of hacks, quick fixes, and shortcuts that have taken over various social media outlets. Yet, let’s face it, these will only take you so far.

If you’re looking for a more effective way to ensure long-term success, look no further than these four morning rituals.

1.Exercise

Studies show that exercising in the morning can be more beneficial than any other time. It’s believed that moderate-intensity exercises early in the day can improve focus and cognition.

It’s also been shown that working out before breakfast increases energy levels and fat burn while boosting metabolism. Then, if all that weren’t enough, exercising early in the day makes you feel good about yourself and puts you in a positive mindset.

Even short workouts early in the morning can significantly lift your mood and increase productivity.

2.Meditate

If it’s good for Arianna and Oprah, it must be good for the rest of us. The trick is knowing which type works for you because everyone has their own version of mediation.

Some people practice mindfulness and gratitude as a form of meditation. Others prefer breathing exercises or yoga.

At their core, they’re all a form of mental exercise that involves relaxation, awareness, and focus.

3.Plan

Some people prefer to fly by the seat of their parts and just do what needs to be done. Yet, most times, these are the ones who end up being weighed down by the doing without setting aside time to process their feelings and emotions.

This is why a major part of a successful morning routine includes thinking about everything you need to get done for the day. Having a to-do list helps your brain mentally prepare for the day ahead. Start by making a list of priority tasks, both work-related and personal.

Plan to do the most critical tasks first, then go down the list until you check all—or most—of them off.

4.Eat

How you spend those first couple of hours of your day can set the tone for what’s to come. That’s why it’s critical to have a good morning routine in place that boosts efficiency while giving you one less thing to think about.

Part of this includes eating right. Make a healthy breakfast that will fuel you until lunchtime. Even if you’re not into heavy breakfast meals, you can still enjoy a healthy fruit or vegetable smoothie or a bowl of oatmeal with fruits.

Filling your body with good-for-you nutrients is the best way to mentally prepare for the day.