Over the past few years, I’ve put a lot of time, thought, and intention into my morning routine. While my habits and rituals are constantly evolving and adapting to the changing seasons and the changing needs of my body and mind, I’ve found a few essential AMs for success. And while other approaches resonate and align, I’m sharing a few morning routine tips that I find inspire a fresh start each day.
I find that when I feel bad in the morning, my mood tends to snowball into the afternoon and evening. Fortunately, there are ways to set the stage for a calmer, less rushed, and more positive day ahead. With a good night’s sleep, exercise, and a nutritious breakfast, the early hours of the day are when I feel most productive and inspired.
10 Morning Routine Tips to Start Your Day Happy
But let me be clear: your AM ritual doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the goal of these morning routine tips is to give you as much freedom and space as possible to change things up when your day doesn’t go as planned. That said, these are my proven strategies for having happier mornings and setting the stage for a great day ahead. The added bonus? You might find that your energized mood rubs off on everyone around you, too!
Stop for a moment and start again
I used to wake up in the morning and bury my head first into my inbox and social media. Sure, it felt productive, but then I felt my mind racing and distracted throughout the morning. Now, I try to pause for a few minutes before consuming digital content in the morning. Whether you use this time to pray, meditate, or breathe deeply, there’s no doubt that you’ll feel more centered throughout the day. Prioritizing this time selectNo matter how busy you are, it helps you look at your day’s activities objectively.
Prepare the night before
Between scheduling conflicts and trying to get everyone out of the house at once, mornings can get hectic in our house. I find that taking the time to get ready the night before can help ease the chaos. To minimize the amount of decisions I have to make in the morning, I pick out my outfit, pack any lunches or snacks I need, and (perhaps most importantly) make a to-do list and check my schedule for the next day. This clears my mind and gives me a sense of what I need to do.
Embody the energy you want
I hate the phrase, “Fake it until you make it.” It feels hypocritical to spend the 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 still feeling excited and grateful for the day’s experiences. Support that intention by making a breakfast that excites you, spending time with your morning drink, and setting aside a little extra time to pour yourself a little more before you start your day.
Drink water first
After 7-8 hours of sleep, it is important to replenish your body with water, so I start my day with a large glass of water. I like room temperature water with a slice of lemon and a few sprigs of mint. Then I reward myself with a cup of coffee to clear the fog from my sleepy brain. The key is to keep my intake to 1-2 cups at most. Anything more can make me anxious and disrupt my sleep in the evening.
Prioritize movement
me love Exercise in the morning. Getting out of bed can be tough, but once you start moving, endorphins are released that make you excited for the day. For those who just want to hit the snooze button, I recently read a study that showed that the simple act of putting out your workout clothes and your sneakers next to your bed the night before actually increases the likelihood of getting a morning workout. Not only does it get the biggest “to-do” off my list, it also makes me feel like I can accomplish anything that day.
And no, you don’t have to exercise for an hour to reap the benefits of morning exercise. I like to take a walk with Adam or meet a friend on the trails during that time. 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 I start my day.
set the tone
Putting on some good music makes mornings 50 times more enjoyable. Sing while you put on your makeup, joke around with your kids, enjoy the soundtrack while you make breakfast. The mood changes in an instant.
Don’t rush
This is definitely the hardest for someone like me who is always trying to squeeze in. Just one more Within the given time. Slowing down and creating open space in the morning creates a little bit of space to enjoy the moment. It may mean waking up early or just trying to do less, but my big goal is to lean into the empty space a little more.
Wear comfortable clothes.
Even if you work from home, wearing clothes that make you feel your best is one of the most effective ways to add some energy to your step. It doesn’t have to be button-down work clothes. The important thing is to wear clothes that reflect your mood! Some days you might want to wear a crisp white shirt and heels, while other days you might wear leggings and sneakers. But when you wear clothes that make you feel confident and express your inner feelings, you’ll be able to look in the mirror and see that you fit.
Read more: 21 Work-From-Home Essentials You Can Wear Again and Again
Be generous with your affection.
I have made it a goal to send at least one email or text message to a friend or distant loved one every morning before I leave for work. For me, that means choosing to prioritize relationships over my busy to-do list. I have also realized how important it is to take the time to connect with Adam, Phoebe, and Henry before we go our separate ways for the day. I try to remember that “the days are long, but the years are short,” and I always try to remember to stop, look Phoebe in the eye, give her a long hug, and say goodbye and have a good day. Not only does that fill my mornings with warmth and love, but it also makes someone else’s morning a lot happier in the process.
Make it count
In his famous commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs said how he always starts his day:
For the past 33 years, I’ve 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’m about to do today?” And every time the answer is “no” for several days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Mornings are full of potential to be the most beautiful time of the day, so let’s not waste the day repeating the same movements while half asleep. Of all the morning routine tips I can give, this is probably the most important. Get to bed at a reasonable time tonight and be ready to make the most of your morning!
