19 Ways to Create Your Perfect Morning Routine
This post is about 19 ways to create your perfect morning routine
Why you need a morning routine:
Creating your perfect morning routine is one of the best things you can do for yourself! It can change your life and make it so much easier to have a productive day!
There are many benefits of a morning routine, but most importantly its about creating a healthy morning routine that works for YOU! You may have seen articles, books, or social media posts proclaiming to have the best morning routine - but in reality, we all have to look at our own individual goals, lifestyle, and season of life to take ownership of a routine that works for each of us. I encourage you to use this blog post and the resources I share to make YOUR perfect morning routine.
I know we all want to have healthy habits and most often the reason we skip or delay self-care is because we feel like we simply do not have time. By setting aside a block of time in the first hour of your day, you can create that time in the day that nurtures your physical health and mental health which are both equally important in your overall happiness.
About 7 years ago, I started to see how a good morning routine would be a great way to set the tone for the rest of the day and help me start the day off on the right foot. At that time, my boys were little and I never felt like I had enough time in the day for my own self-care.
At that time, I constantly felt like I was rushing out of bed to get everyone where we needed to be and then feeling like I couldn’t catch up the rest of the day. Creating a morning ritual that included things like a healthy breakfast, a mindfulness practice, and exercise all within the first hour of the day completely changed my emotional health and I am excited to share some ideas with you, so you can create a daily routine that works for you!
Also - you do NOT have to be a morning person and wake up super early to have an effective morning routine. Waking up early WAS essential when I got started, because I happened to be in a season of life when my kids needed me from the minute they woke up. I had to get up at 445am if I wanted that time to myself. It can be hard work getting honest about what you need to do to create this time in your day, but it is so worth it!
Please remember there is no best way for everyone and the best morning routine for you is the one you will commit to so you can have a consistent morning routine that makes YOUR life less stressful and more enjoyable! Starting an early morning routine is a small change that can make a big difference.
I’ve listed out 19 ways you can create your ideal morning routine in your current season of life. I have absolutely made changes as needed over the years as our family’s needs have changed. Even starting just one new habit can be exciting and fun, so I hope you give some of these a try.
19 Ways to Create Your Perfect Morning Routine
Your ideal morning routine starts the night before - do anything you can to make your life easier the next day. Analyze exactly what you need to get through the morning smoothly and do as much of it as possible the night before. Set out your workout clothes, charge your devices, fill your water bottle, etc. Just a few minutes of prep the night before can make a huge difference in how rushed or stressed you feel in the morning! And make sure to go to bed early enough to get enough sleep. Make sure to check out my Morning Routine Starter Kit.
Schedule your morning routine in your calendar. I block off time in my calendar and then have a checklist of everything I want to accomplish during my morning routine. Its not about having time, its about making time and treating your morning routine like an appointment with yourself! I use an alarm clock to remind me to start getting ready for bed and also to wake me up in the morning.
Decide how much time you want to have for your morning routine and set your alarm clock accordingly. Then do NOT hit the snooze button! You may start just waking up 15 minutes earlier and implementing a few new habits - you don’t need much time to do a few small tasks that can set the tone for the entire day.
Sit in silence, prayer, or meditation for 1-2 minutes immediately upon waking. If you won’t fall back asleep, you can even do it right in bed before getting up! I normally do this in bed or in the kitchen. It just depends on the day!
Write down 3 things you are grateful for - it is proven that focusing on gratitude helps us stay positive and happier. It can be ANYTHING you are grateful for - no rules apply!
Write down at least one affirmation that keeps you connected to your goals and how you want your day to go.
Read {or listen via audiobook} to a few pages in a personal growth book - you can find my favorite recommendations here
Listen to an uplifting podcast while you go through your morning routine. I love to pop in my ear buds and listen as I get dressed and sometimes even through my workout. There are so many to choose from, but my favorites include The Ed Mylett Show, The Daily Mastery Podcast by Robin Sharma, and The Jim Fortin Podcast.
Listen to your favorite music.
Light a candle.
Weigh yourself daily - I weigh myself every morning right after i get out of bed. It is probably the most important thing I do each day to stay connected to my wellness goals.
Workout - there are many workouts you can do in 20-30 minutes. Even if you think you hate working out (like I used to) it feels amazing to move and sweat first thing!
Drink 16-32 oz of cold water right away when you wake up- I have some tips and info on how to drink more water here.
Have a cup of coffee, tea or lemon water that you enjoy while journaling, practicing gratitude or doing your affirmations and make this part of your me time!
Do a load of laundry or empty the dishwasher - I like to set the timer on my washing machine for 5am, so all I have to do is move the load to the dryer in the morning and I try to run my dishwasher every night before bed, so dishes are clean and ready to be emptied in the morning. Doing chores might not seem like a relaxing way to start the day, but I pop in my earbuds and feel so much better about my day knowing I’ve gotten these items checked off my list before the day even starts.
Clean off your counters for a tidy kitchen
Go for a walk or sit outside! Getting out into nature and walking - even if just for 5 minutes can be a great way to start the day. If you have a dog - they will love this, too!
Take a cold shower - I’ve heard this recommended by many different successful people and while I’ve never tried it personally, it might be something that helps you!
Eat a big breakfast! You’ll start the day feeling full and satisfied, leaving you less likely to hit the drive-thru or grab the donuts at work. Finding a quick, easy, and filling breakfast was one of the most important pieces of my weight loss journey!
Books that can help you create a morning routine
I’ve linked them all in my Morning Routine Starter Kit
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The Perfect Day Formula by Craig Ballantyne
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Essentialism by Greg McKewon
Recommended Podcast Episodes:
How to Build a Morning Routine that Will Change Your Life
Unleash the Power of Your Morning and Evening Routine to Build the Body You Want
I hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas and start working towards creating YOUR own perfect morning routine - and remember nothing is written in stone. If something isn’t working for you just assess, pivot and try something else!