Over the past few years, I’ve put a lot of time, thought, and intentional planning into my morning routine. While my habits and rituals are constantly evolving to match the changing seasons and the changing needs of my body and mind, I’ve found a few morning essentials that help set me up for success. And while different approaches resonate and align, here are some morning routine tips that inspire the feeling of a fresh start each day:
I’ve noticed that a bad morning puts me in a bad mood, and unfortunately, that tends to carry over into the afternoon and evening. Thankfully, there are ways to make your mornings calmer and less hectic and set you up for a positive day. A good night’s sleep, exercise, and a nutritious breakfast can make the early hours of the day your most productive and motivated.
10 Morning Routine Tips to Start Your Day on a Happy Note
But let me be clear: your morning routine doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the purpose of these morning routine tips is to give you as much freedom and leeway as possible to change things up when your day doesn’t go as planned. That said, these are my tried-and-true strategies to help you have happier mornings and prepare for a great day. The side benefit? You might even find that your upbeat vibes are contagious to those around you!
Start from pause
Previously, I would wake up and dive straight into email and social media. While this felt productive, I found it put my mind in overdrive and left me feeling distracted throughout the morning. Now, I try to take a few minutes to take a break before engaging with any digital content. Using this time for prayer, meditation, or deep breathing definitely helps me feel more focused for the rest of the day. Prioritizing this time is a great way to keep your mind engaged and focused. choiceNo matter how busy you are, it helps you put the rest of your day’s activities into perspective.
Preparation the night before
Between overlapping schedules and trying to get everyone out the door safely, mornings can be hectic in our household. I’ve found that taking a little time to prepare the night before helps alleviate some of the chaos: picking out an outfit to minimize morning decisions, packing the necessary lunches and snacks, and (perhaps most importantly) creating a to-do list and reviewing the next day’s schedule. This helps me organize my mind and know what I need to accomplish.
Embody the energy you want
I don’t like the phrase “fake it ’til you make it.” There’s something dishonest about spending your day pretending to be someone you’re not. Instead, I like to embody the energy I want to feel. That means waking up tired, but exuding a vibe of enjoying and being grateful for the day ahead. Support that intention by making an exciting breakfast, enjoying a little morning beverage, and setting aside a little extra time to pour into yourself before starting your day.
First, hydrate
It’s important to stay hydrated after 7-8 hours of sleep, so I try to start my day with a glass of water. I like it room temperature with a slice of lemon and a few sprigs of mint. Afterwards, I reward myself with a cup of coffee to clear my sleepy brain. The key is to stick to one or two cups, max. Anything more can make you feel restless and interfere with your evening sleep.
Prioritize movement
I love I exercise in the morning. Getting out of bed is hard, but once I get moving, my endorphins kick in and I look forward to the day. For those of you who like to hit the snooze button, I recently read a study that showed that the simple act of preparing my workout clothes the night before and keeping my sneakers next to my bed actually makes me more likely to stick to my morning workout. Not only does this get that big “to do” off my list first, it also makes me feel like I can accomplish anything that day.
You don’t have to do an hour-long workout to get the benefits of morning movement. I love going for walks with Adam or chatting with friends on the trail. If it’s raining, I’ll stay inside and do a little yoga flow or stretching. Anything that helps me connect with my body before starting my day.
Set the mood
Having great tunes playing can make your mornings 50 times more fun. Singing while putting on your makeup, joking around with the kids, or enjoying the soundtrack while making breakfast can instantly change your mood.
Don’t rush
This is definitely the hardest for me as I’m always trying to squeeze Just one more thing At certain times of the day. Slowing down and creating space in the morning gives me a little space to enjoy the moment. Maybe I’ll wake up earlier or just do less, but my big goal is to put a little more effort into my margins.
Wear something that makes you feel good
Wearing clothes that make you feel great is one of the most effective ways to put an extra spring in your step, even if you’re working from home. It doesn’t have to be buttoned up work clothes; the key is to wear clothes that reflect your mood. Some days it’s a crisp white shirt and heels, other days it’s leggings and sneakers. But wearing clothes that make you feel confident and speak to how you feel inside will help you look in the mirror and know it’s right.
read more: 21 work-from-home essentials you’ll want to wear again and again
Give love generously
Every morning before work, I make it a goal to send at least one email or text message to a friend or far-away loved one. For me, that means making the choice to prioritize relationships over a busy to-do list. I also realize how important it is to take the time to connect with Adam, Phoebe, and Henry before they each go their separate ways for the day. I try to remind myself of the saying, “The days are long, but the years are short,” and remind myself that there is always time to pause and look Phoebe in the eye, give her a long farewell hug, and wish her a good day. By doing so, I not only fill my morning with feelings of warmth and love first thing in the morning, but I might just make someone’s morning a lot happier in the process.
Let’s treasure it
In his famous commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs shared how he usually starts his day:
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And when the answer is “no” for too many days in a row, you know something needs to change.
Mornings are full of the potential to be the most beautiful part of your day, so don’t waste another day going through the motions while half asleep. Of all the morning routine tips I can offer, this is probably the most important one: go to bed at a reasonable time tonight and prepare yourself to enjoy your morning to the fullest.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
