Why Having a Morning Routine is Important | How to Create Your Own
This post first appeared in April of 2019
There’s a lot of talk about routines out there.
That we should have them, when we should have them, and how to create the “perfect” routine.
But the question of WHY we should create routines hasn’t really been talked about.. until now!
The Benefits of a Morning Routine:
Sets the Tone
Your morning is often a reflection of how your day is going to go.
An easy morning sets you up for an easy day.
A rushed morning sets you up for a rushed day
Think back to a morning where you slept through your alarm, stubbed your toes, & spilled your coffee - not fun right?
Chances are, the rest of your day was probably pretty horrible.
Now think back to a morning where you woke up right on time, had a few minutes to yourself, and reflected on your day ahead.. now I bet the rest of your day went wayyy better than the previous example!
Creates & Strengthens Self Discipline
Waking up earlier than you have to takes discipline.
It likely won’t come easy to most people, right away, but similar to any new habit, you’ve got to fight through the discomfort in order for it to stick!
New Habits will Become Second Nature
Eventually, a morning routine will just happen - like brushing your teeth - you don’t think about it, you just do it.
No matter how you choose to spend your morning, in a routine or rushing around so you can get to work on time, it will be second nature (or maybe it already is), so choose wisely.
So here’s your chance to take control of one small aspect of your life, don’t let it slip on by!
Less Stress
A morning routine gives you consistency.
It gives you time.
It gives you an opportunity to start your day off the way YOU want to.
Which, in return, allows you to not stress about being late for work, getting the kids on the bus in time, etc.
No one wants to start their day off stressed!
Helps with Problem Solving
Once your routine is down pat, there’s going to be days where you just can’t get to it, or can only do a small part of it, and that is OKAY!
Maybe you slept through your alarm, woke up sick, or are traveling.
Don’t fret! That’s life, sh*t happens
But look at it this way - you now how an opportunity to troubleshoot, problem solve, and do whatever works best for you, in that moment!
You Begin to Make Better Choices Throughout the Day
When you have a routine that sets you up for success, it carries over into the rest of your day.
Your morning has set you up so you are able to eat a nutritious & satisfying breakfast, instead of hopping in the drive thru.
You had a great breakfast so you choose a more nutritious lunch option.
You’re having a great day because your energy levels are sustained because of your food choices so you actually have the energy to make it to your after work workout.
You had a great workout so now you’re in a great mood (hello endorphins!) so you’re excited to play with your children after dinner.
You get the picture!
The Extra Time is Mentally Stimulating
The extra calm minutes in the morning allow your brain to naturally be creative, relaxed, & energized for the day ahead of you!
It’s Extra Time Spent on Yourself
We all could use some extra time on ourselves.
True time to ourselves.
This may be the only nugget of time you get before your day exhausts you, your kids need your attention, or your dog needs played with
Enjoy it!
Helps You Feel Fulfilled in Other Aspects of Your Life
A routine that makes you feel fulfilled, empowered, energized, & whole, before your day as already begun, will spill into other aspects of your life
You’ll begin to notice other parts of your life you want to focus on & improve!
So you’ll begin to take action & see your values shine through!
How To
Create the Perfect Morning Routine
Surprise! No two people are alike (shocking to hear me say that, I know lol)
Therefore, no two morning routines will look alike!
What works for me, might not work for you, but I what to express the 6 common components that I believe exist in a “perfect morning routine”.
One: Quiet Time
Silence does wonders for stimulating the brain.
Even if it’s just 5 minutes of silence spent meditating, deep breathing, or reading.
You owe it to yourself to let your brain wake up in a quiet space; this may be the only minutes of silence you experience for the day!
Two: No Electronics
No phone, no TV, no radio.
We look at screens enough.
There’s no need to start your day mindlessly scrolling through your feed, burning our eyes with blue light.
Try to keep all electronics off or avoid using them, for the first 30-60 minute of the day, & if that’s not possible, try to avoid them for as long as possible.
Three: Movement
I’m not saying a full blown workout.
Just something to get those muscles awake.
Maybe a 5 minute yoga flow, some stretching (we could all stretch more), a few easy squats or lunges.
This will help you feel more alert, prime your body for the day ahead, and get your digestive system moving
Four: Personal Development
Read, journal, listen to a podcast.
Pray, meditate.
Do something that will make a positive impact on your life!
Five: Focus on Yourself
Do something that brings you joy.
Maybe it’s something already mentioned above.
Maybe it’s talking to your mom on your commute.
Maybe it’s your skincare routine or picking out your outfit for the day.
Whatever brings you joy, find a way to fit in into your routine!
Six: Give Yourself Time
“They” say to wake up 2 hours before you have to be somewhere.
Now, that might be possible for some people, but I don’t know how realistic it is for others.
What I do recommend is giving yourself time.
Whether that an extra 10 minutes or 2 hours, having the extra time will help you slow down, enjoy your morning, and start the day off on the right note!
A Trick to Waking Up Earlier:
Need help waking up earlier? Start by setting your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier. Then the following week, another 10-15 minutes earlier. Little by little, wake up earlier, and before you know it, you’ll be at your “goal wake up time”!
But don’t forget about the importance of sleep! You may have to adjust when you go to bed to insure you’re still getting an adequate amount of sleep!
My Original Morning Routine:
Posted in the original April 2019 post
Remember, no two routines will look alike, but I thought I would share in the hopes of sparking some inspiration of what you could do!
Wake up around 5:30 (lately it’s more like 6/6:30)
Bathroom
Mediate at my salt lamp for 5-10 minutes (whatever my brain allows) (5:45)
Stretch & light body movements (5:50)
Weigh myself
Make a cup of warm salt water (don’t judge, it’s for the electrolytes) or tea (5:55)
Read (~ a chapter) (6:20)
Journal (introduce myself to the world #manifestation, write 10 things I’m grateful for, write out my daily mantas, write out my intentions for the day) (6:30)
Morning skin care routine, using my fav product line (6:35)
Make my gut health cocktail with my greens & probiotics (6:37)
Check my phone, open my laptop, and I’m officially in work mode! (6:45)
That might all seem like a lot, but in total, it takes me just over an hour, and truthfully, I find myself more productive, more alert, and happier on the days that I get to go through my routine than the days that I don’t!
My Current Morning Routine:
Posted in the revised August 2020 post
Wake up around 5:45, snooze (but I’m trying to break this habit)
Bathroom/Debate going back to sleep 🙃
16 oz Water & 5 minute stretching (6:00)
Change clothes (6:05)
Empty the dishwasher/some tidying (6:10)
Go on a ~30 min walk (6:15)
Make coffee/plan the rest of my day (6:45)
Looking back at my previous routine, I find it insane that I did that, but hey! that’s what worked for me at that time!
Now a days, my morning routine has way less steps but that doesn’t mean it isn’t as productive.
See, as time goes on, your day to day responsibilities change, your priorities change, and life changes!
Let’s not even talk about how nonexistent my “morning routine” was during the shelter in place 😳
You just have to roll with the punches & adjust so that your morning routine is always a part of your day that you are looking forward to, not one that causes you to stress out!
What does your morning routine look like? Share with me by leaving a comment below!
Chat soon!
Veronica
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