Routines help us stay organized and productive. A morning routine sets the tone for our day, allowing us to focus on things that make us better. Morning routines are the ultimate self-care. They are mood-boosting. Control setting. Health generating. Brain filling. Gratitude creating. Whether you choose to implement a 5-minute daily routine or have 2 hours of focused time in the morning, you’ll notice an improvement. Experts say that the most successful morning routines are simple and easy to follow–but try everything once!
I’ve always been a morning person. If I had a school project or work deadline, I’d rather wake up at 4am than pull an all-nighter. Mornings were the time where I felt the most clear-minded and productive. I love to watch the sunrise with a mug of coffee and dream about the day ahead. But I recognize that not everyone loves the morning as much as me. Regardless of if you love or hate the beginning of the day, good morning routines can create stability and positivity for anyone.
Follow these four simple steps to create your perfect morning routine.
1. Set your morning routine intention.
WHY DO YOU WAKE UP?
First, understand your why. Why do you wake up? The answer is your motivation to set the alarm and NOT hit snooze (even when you really want to).
2. Determine life goals.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Next, figure out what you really want. Do you want to be in better shape? Do you want to improve your business acumen or mental fortitude? This will help you to narrow down your morning routine activities. If your holistic wellbeing is important to you, you may choose to wake up early to exercise and read at least 10 pages of nonfiction each morning. Or, you may choose to devote time to meditation and prayer because the connection to a higher power is important. Narrowing down what you want is necessary to create your routine actions.
3. Discover how your morning routine can motivate you.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Then, pick your activities and set your time frame! The more activities you do, the longer you’ll need to set aside for your morning routine. The key is to pick a number of activities that are motivating and fulfilling without overwhelming or burdening you. If it feels like a mandatory activity, it changes the intention and ultimately your mood.
Consider adding activities that you’ve been wanting to try but haven’t gotten around to doing. Some helpful morning routine (self-care) activities:
- Affirmations—simple, positive statements declaring specific goals
- Intentions—stating what you intend to accomplish through your actions. In the morning you can make a commitment for the day
- Bed yoga—take your practice to the bed! You can’t go as far in your postures, but this gentle stretching is a great way to wake up
- Meditation—train attention and awareness through mindfulness to achieve a mentally clear and calm state
- Water—drink the water your body has been missing overnight! Fill a glass or keep a water bottle near your bed
- Make the bed—start the day by accomplishing something. It takes less than 2 minutes to check something off the list
- Reading—read 10 pages of nonfiction on a topic that you’re interested in learning about
- Devotional—read, pray, or journal to connect with your spirit and divinity
- Gratitudes—write or speak things you are grateful for (try to not repeat things two days in a row)
- Journaling—free write or use prompts to explore thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of your life
- Exercise—walk, run, take a class or get out in nature to get the blood flowing
- Make breakfast—make a specialty drink or breakfast
- To-do lists—plan for the day to organize your thoughts and make goals to accomplish
4. Repeat your morning routine activities
What is feeding your soul or bringing you closer to your goals?
Rinse and repeat. Do it for a day. Then try for a week. Then extend it to 2 weeks. Before you know it, your routine will become a necessary daily habit. Where missing one day will feel like forgetting your watch—it just feels like something is off all day.
If you’re nervous about starting, just add one thing to your morning. Do that for a week. Then, once that feels good try adding a second activity. When I first started developing my morning routine, I woke up and immediately said an affirmation. (My very first affirmation was “I’m thankful for my life!”) Then, a few days later, I added bed yoga. Morning stretches that I would do every single day before I got out of bed. I kept adding small actions until my routine felt full and doable every morning. Listen to your mind and body on this—maybe you won’t do the same routine on the weekends or maybe an activity that used to inspire you no longer gives you joy.
Rev up your morning with new activities! Don’t be afraid to try something new. Just remember, it’s your routine, go at your pace with what resonates with you. xoxo Mo
