Improve Your Day with a Morning Routine

One of the best things I’ve ever done for myself is to improve my day with a morning routine that includes a few wellness activities. These are the ones I want to make sure I do every day and I sometimes add a few others I’m trying out. Exercise or stretching are things I know I won’t do if I don’t get them done first thing in the morning. Also, it just makes sense to do them as soon as I get up because it sets my day up to be vastly better than if I didn’t do them.

And if you’re not a morning person, hang in there and think about just doing one activity as soon as you get up. Believe me, you’ll see how even a quick and simple morning routine can improve your day and you’ll be adding to it in no time!

Why Mornings Matter

First things first, how you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. A chaotic, rushed, and disorganized morning can leave you feeling stressed and scattered for the rest of the day, resulting in you getting nothing accomplished and probably ending with you in bad mood. But when you start off with a calm, focused morning where you spent some time on your well-being, that sets you off on the right path for the rest of the day. And the result is a productive and positive day with a good mood!

Additionally, it can be so difficult to get out of bed if chances are your morning is going to be hectic. On the flip side, a purposeful and nurturing morning routine can work wonders for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. And it sure is easier to get up in the morning when you’re starting your day with peaceful ‘Me Time‘!

The Benefits of a Morning Routine

1. Kickstart Your Energy: Picture this – instead of groggily hitting the snooze button, you wake up, stretch, and get moving. Morning exercise or even a simple stretching routine can boost your energy levels and get those endorphins flowing. You’ll be amazed at how this sets a positive tone for the day.
2. Calm the Mind: In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Morning meditation can help you center yourself and find a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness can make a world of difference.
3. Clarity Through Journaling: Journaling in the morning is like a mini therapy session. It allows you to unload your thoughts, set goals, and gain clarity. Whether it’s gratitude journaling or free writing, it’s a powerful tool for self-reflection.
4. Connect with Nature: A morning walk is a delightful way to connect with nature. Whether it’s a stroll in your backyard, the woods or a nearby park, or by the beach if you’re lucky, it’s an excellent opportunity to soak in some fresh air and appreciate the beauty around you. And depending on what season it is, mornings can be the best time of day to be outside!
5. Fuel Your Body Right: Breakfast is not called the most important meal of the day for nothing. A wholesome breakfast provides the fuel your body needs to function optimally. Remember, you can’t conquer the day on an empty stomach. But whatever you eat first thing in the day definitely sets the tone for your eating habits the rest of the day.
6. Create a Routine That Suits You: The beauty of morning routines is that they’re customizable. You get to choose activities that resonate with you. If a 10-minute dance party gets your blood pumping, go for it! The key is consistency. So, figure out what’s the best way to improve your day with a morning routine, and start loving your mornings!

Creating Your Morning Routine

Think about your early morning time as a way to do something good for yourself and enjoy some peace and quiet before the craziness of the day starts. If you have a family, kids, pets, etc. this time can be your solace before the chaos! Here’s an easy way to get started:

1. Prioritize What Matters: Identify the activities that resonate with you the most. Maybe it’s meditation and a quick workout, or perhaps it’s reading and a healthy breakfast. Choose what speaks to your heart.
2. Start Slow: If mornings are a challenge, don’t aim for a two-hour routine right away. Begin with just a few activities (or even just one) and gradually add more as it becomes a habit.
3. Set Your Wake-Up Time: Based on what your routine is going to include, and the amount of time it will take, determine what time you need to get up. Ideally you should get your morning routine done first thing, and then go about your regular activities.
4. Stay Consistent: Consistency is the name of the game. If this is something you are trying for the first time, don’t try to pack too much in, otherwise it will be difficult to stick to and then it’s more likely you’ll want to give up. Start out small, stick to your routine, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you occasionally miss a step.
5. Tweak as You Go: Life changes, and so can your routine. Be open to adjusting it as needed, and just changing it up to keep it fresh. The goal is to support your well-being, not create a rigid schedule.

What Can You Include in Your Routine?

There are so many wellness activities that can (and perhaps should) be incorporated into your morning routine. Here’s some ideas to help you improve your day with a morning routine:

1. Hydration Ritual

Kickstart your day with a glass of warm water with lemon to rehydrate your body after a night’s rest. It’s a gentle detoxifier, stimulates the digestive system, helps maintain a balanced PH level in your body, and provides vitamin C which can boost your immune system.

2. Movement

You don’t need to work-out for an hour until you’re sweaty and red in the face anymore (there are some benefits to getting older!). Fifteen minutes every morning on the treadmill or bike, a brisk walk outside, or some aerobic activity will do wonders for you. As long as you’re consistent. And when you notice what a difference this makes to your health, it makes it even easier to keep up the habit. Just get moving!

3. Meditation

Practicing meditation regularly has a wide range of benefits for your mental and physical well-being. These include stress and anxiety reduction, improved concentration and focus, better sleep, greater resilience to adversity, and enhanced creativity. Check out the app Balance for guided meditation series and sessions, making it easy for you to do just about anywhere. Again, the key is consistency.

4. Affirmations

Begin your day with positive affirmations to set a confident and optimistic tone for what’s ahead. Repeating affirmations can help boost your self-esteem and confidence by focusing on your strengths and potential. By affirming your goals and aspirations, you align your thoughts and actions with your objectives. This makes it more likely that you’ll achieve them. It’s also a great way to manage stress and anxiety by promoting positive thought patterns.

5. Visualization

Spend a few minutes visualizing your goals and intentions. This powerful practice can help you clarify precisely what you want to achieve and stay focused on it. Goals feel much more achievable when you can create a mental image of success. Your self-confidence will increase when your mind sees that your goals are attainable.

6. Breath Work

Incorporate deep breathing exercises to oxygenate your body, release tension, calm your nervous system, and sleep better. If you get anxiety or are having a stressful moment this is a great technique to help you get through it. Conscious breathing can lighten your mood throughout the day. It slows you down and becomes a coping tool when you need it. Even just 30 seconds of breath work can bring you benefits. It will not only improve your day in your morning routine, but it also can help you any time during the day.

7. Skincare Routine

Taking care of your skin in the morning is not only a wellness activity but also a self-care ritual. It’s a simple way to boost your confidence and establish a strong habit. Adding this to my morning routine helped me start taking better care of my skin than I ever had in my life, and it shows!

8. Reading or Learning

Dedicate some time to reading or learning something new in the morning. It can be a motivational book, a podcast, or an educational course. Try the app Headway – you can read or listen to summaries of over 1500 nonfiction self-growth books. It’s like getting all the main insights from the entire book while you’re taking a quick walk in the morning!

9. Gratitude Practice

Reflect on and journal about the things you’re grateful for in the morning. It’s an excellent way to shift your focus towards positivity. If you find yourself caught up in the negativity of the world this is a good way to redirect yourself. At first it may seem like you have to really look hard to find what you’re grateful for in your life. But the more you do this, the easier it is for you to see all there is to be grateful for!

10. Digital Detox

Commit to staying off email and social media until later in the morning. This can reduce stress and keep you focused on your morning routine and what you want to get out of it. It’s important during your morning routine that you give it your full attention and effort and not just go through the motions. Although there are days when it seems like that’s exactly what you’re doing!

11. Yoga or Tai Chi

Incorporate gentle low-impact movements like yoga or Tai Chi to increase flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. There are several different types of these practices, ranging in difficulty and experience needed. These are some of the best sustainable healthy practices you can add to your life that will keep you vital long-term. And both are easy to do pretty much anywhere. You can really improve your day with this morning routine if you do this outdoors while you’re taking in nature!

12. Healthy Smoothies

If you’re paying attention to your nutrition, get into the habit of whipping up a healthy smoothie for breakfast. It’s a fantastic way to start your day on a healthy note, pack in essential nutrients, and up your chances for eating healthy the rest of the day. A healthy smoothie with the right ingredients can sustain your energy and keep you from unwanted snacking.

13. Goal Setting

Spend a few minutes setting or updating daily goals or tasks. Doing this helps you prioritize, stay organized, and accommodate for things that may not have gone as planned the day before. Make this a regular habit in the morning (or evening). It can keep you from stressing or worrying about what you need to get done during the day.

14. Mindful Eating

Instead of rushing through breakfast (or skipping it altogether), make something nutritious and savor each bite mindfully. Enjoy your meal without distractions, especially if you tend to eat on the go a lot.

15. Connection with Loved Ones

If you have family or housemates, make time to engage in morning chats with a cup of coffee or breakfast. This creates a positive atmosphere in your home. Many of us have forgotten how important social eating and time around the table with loved ones are. Adding this ritual in the morning is apt to make you more likely to engage in it again in the evening.

16. Make Your Bed

Making your bed every morning may seem like a small and unimportant task, when in fact it is extremely important for a number of reasons. This easy, immediate accomplishment sets a positive tone for the day and sets you up for continued productivity. It makes your bedroom feel more organized and less cluttered, giving you a peaceful atmosphere. And what I like most (as does the Military) is that it promotes a sense of order, discipline, and self-control that will flow into other parts of your life.

17. Dance Party!

If you just want to get moving without all the structure, then just let loose and dance to your favorite music. It’s a fantastic way to wake up your body, boost your mood, and start the day with energy and a smile on your face!

Make Your Mornings Fun!

The key is to create a morning routine that aligns with your personality, wellness goals, and lifestyle. It’s all about enhancing your well-being, strengthening good habits, and setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Mix and match these activities and come up with some of your own to create a routine that works best for you. But remember, this isn’t about creating a rigid schedule. Flexibility is important here – so if you don’t feel like doing the activities you have planned, then just turn the music up and dance around! That in itself is a powerful mood booster!

Try it for a week. You’ll see if you improve your day with a morning routine, you’ll be more energetic, positive, and focused throughout the day. And this one thing can lead to more positive changes in your life!

How’re your mornings? Do you have any other morning activities that help your day be positive and productive? I know I like to change up my morning routine every now and then, so let me know in the comments what works for you!