How to Set up a Morning Routine

What is a Morning Routine

A morning routine is a series of activities or tasks you do in the morning to help you optimize your day. Morning routines can be and should be individualized; what works for me may not work for you.

What Do You Need from Your Morning Routine

You are not here to serve your morning routine; your morning routine is here to serve you. Setting up your ideal morning routine can be fun and exciting as you think about how you’d like your mornings to start.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when setting up your morning routine:

- What do I want to accomplish in the morning?

- If I could complete a few items off my to-do list for my future-self, what would those items be?

- What is something I need done that would make my future self happier?

- Would my life feel lighter if I got the hard task or most dreaded task done first thing in the morning?

- What can I tolerate doing in the morning?

- Am I a morning person?

- How much time do I want to set aside for myself for my morning routine?
- Would I rather be productive or relax in the morning?

Be Intentional, But Remain Flexible

You don’t want to become so rigid when it comes to your routines, that you stress yourself out to get them done. Morning routines are intended to help you lead a more intentional life, alleviate stress from building up throughout the day, and set your future self up for success. Setting the intention to complete your morning routine every day is wonderful but try to loosen up on needing to reach perfection. Progress is progress no matter how small.

15 Ideas to Incorporate into Your Ideal Morning Routine

1. Wake up Earlier, if it Suits YOU 😌

Waking up earlier is what many of us often hear and for some of us, that just won’t work for our lifestyle and that’s okay. However, waking up earlier than the other people in your house may give you a nice reprieve to be alone if that isn’t something you normally have time set aside for during your day.

2. Make Your Bed 🛏️

This is the easiest mood booster, ever. Your bed doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be neat to give you the effects of a nicely made bed. This is a chance for you to challenge your idea of perfection. Try just spreading the comforter out every morning so it’s nice and flat and see what that does for you.

3. Drink Some Water 💧

If you take daily meds like I do, it’s the perfect time to hydrate! Water is essential and can feel so refreshing first thing in the morning. Starting your day with water can get your digestive tract waking up and ready for whatever you throw at it.

4. Complete a Task ✅

Whatever task you choose to complete can help eliminate the need to do it later in the day and help your future self have time for other things at that time. You can choose something like doing dishes, starting your laundry, or sweeping your floors. You could even do something you may enjoy more like watering your indoor plants or watering your garden.

5. Girls, Eat Some Breakfast 🍳

This always shocks me and I know it is extremely controversial while fasting is “in” right now, but how do you plan to energize yourself for your upcoming day if you don’t fuel your body?! Like, our bodies NEED energy! How will you keep up with the chaos of life without feeling burnt out by 11 o’clock? Get some protein in your body in the morning to provide you the energy you need to keep up with your kids mamas.

6. Soak up the Sun ☀️

Getting natural sunlight, especially in the morning, can be such a mood enhancer. There is science to back this, but without citing references, you know it makes you feel better. Soaking up some natural light can make you feel more grounded and get you ready for the day.

7. Get into Nature 🌲

You can try to get into nature even while it is dark outside and experience the benefits of breathing in the fresh air, feeling the grass between your toes, or sitting and enjoying the scenery of nature around you. Nature is healing and if you incorporate this into your morning routine, I’m sure it will boost your mood.

8. Daily Movement 🚲

Daily movement has a multitude of health benefits and if it suits you to do it in the morning, set that intention! In my previous stage of life I would work out before my shifts at the hospital and make sure it was done before working. It was set in stone and I set aside time for it at the same time every day. In my current season of life, I fit my daily movement in during the day sometime. It varies based on the activities we have planned.

9. Daily Gratitude 🙌

Now, this doesn’t have to be time consuming. Add thinking about what makes you grateful to drinking your first cup of coffee, or while you do your hair and makeup. It can be the fastest task you accomplish in the morning with some really big rewards from doing so. This can shift your mindset from an “eh, I don’t want to be up” to “wow, I have a lot of really great things in my life right now” and put you into the world with a more loving, kind, and full heart.

10. Saying Positive Affirmations 🥰

A few kind words to yourself won’t hurt you. They may help heal you. Embarrassed? Do it alone. Feels silly? Do it consistently and see if it starts to feel different.

Some examples of positive affirmations:

I am smart.

I have a kind heart.

I love myself.

I embrace change.

I radiate positive energy.

Girl, you do you. Lift yourself up.

11. Meditation 🧘🏼‍♀️

Meditation can shift your mindset in the morning and start your day out on a positive, relaxed note instead of rushed and stressed. I follow guided meditations, and I pick one that I feel I need to hear. Examples being; kind acceptance, reducing anxiety, practicing gratitude, and finding stillness in your breath.

12. Review Your Planner 📔

Start your day right by reviewing your planner in the morning. It sets the stage for a productive day, helps you prioritize tasks, and instills a sense of calm knowing that you are prepared for whatever comes your way.

13. Don't Hit Snooze 💤

Okay, also don’t hit “stop” and then go back to bed anyway (guilty). If you feel the need to sleep more after your alarm, ask the question “am I getting enough sleep?”

14. Get Enough Sleep 😴

If you often times are finding yourself drained, unmotivated, tired, or sluggish when you wake up – reevaluate your sleep schedule. Setting a bed time (yes, even adults can have a bed time) and sticking to it can be truly life-changing. Being able to prioritize yourself and remain accountable to getting to bed at a decent hour can allow you to have a successful morning.

15. Set a Nightly Routine 🌛

What the ****? I’m supposed to have a morning routine and a nightly routine? Not “supposed to” necessarily, but it can be beneficial. Having a nightly routine can eliminate some decisions that need to be made in the morning. Examples of this could be setting out tomorrows outfit the night before, prepping breakfast items and having them ready in the fridge, or setting your coffee maker up to start brewing before you wake up.

Benefits of a Morning Routine

A morning routine can have many benefits, including improved focus, increased productivity, better sleep, enhanced physical health, and a more positive mindset to start your day.

Conclusion

Life can be chaotic, messy, and overwhelming, but some of that chaos, rushing around to get things done, and feeling stressed can be reduced by having a morning routine.

Whether you incorporate one or all of the ideas above into your morning routine, you will reap the benefits. If you are creating your first morning routine, start small. If something doesn’t work out or you find it isn’t serving you; say no thank you and shift what you’re doing. If something isn’t working for you anymore, change it. You have the power here to set your day up for success.

Let me in on the inside scoop of your morning routine. I’m always interested in seeing what is working for other people!

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