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Why Establish a Great Morning Routine
Why would you want to establish a great morning routine? I’m sure you already have a routine don’t you – but is it working for you? Are you starting your day in an optimal way that allows you to make the most out of every day? Let’s look at some ways to make your morning routine optimal, so that you have the best start to every day.
You can’t underestimate the power of a brilliant morning routine. If your mornings are a bit chaotic and perhaps the day begins in a blur or in a lethargic mode, you will be amazed at how much better it becomes when you take control.
What are the Benefits of a Great Morning Routine?
Feeling in Control
Routines can be transformative. They are not just effective for your productivity and organization but also for your mood and outlook. A consistent routine sets you up for the day. Taking the time to plan and implement a really good morning routine that suits you well, will help you feel less rushed, more in control, more organized, less stressed and more energized and positive.
Reduced Stress
Chaotic mornings where you can’t find things and you are rushing about, cause stress. It’s definitely a negative start to the day. Without a structure, you start each day badly, and for what? To have an extra hour staying up later the evening where you are probably too tired to enjoy it much anyway? Save that for the weekend. Get to bed early.
Feeling Good about Yourself
You know when you get those days when you feel great. You look terrific, you feel confident, your energy levels are up. Well a good morning routine will increase days like that. Those kinds of days when you are at your most effective will become more regular. So let’s look at what you need to do to optimize your morning routine.
Planning and Preparation
When you start an optimized morning routine, you need excellent preparation and planning. Decide what outfit you will wear the next day before you go to bed, and lay it out or hang it. Decide what you will have for breakfast and prepare it as required. Perhaps you would set up the coffee machine or juicer. You could also prepare a lunch for the next day.
What’s Optimal For You?
What activities would be best to set you up for the day ahead? Decide what you will do in the mornings and how much time you will need, so you can set your alarm. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep. Get to bed extra early until you get the routine right. Consider the following tried and tested elements that successful people plan into their mornings.
Get up Early, at the Same Time Every Day
Through your working week, try to get up at the same time because it helps set your circadian rhythm. If you stick to the plan, you will start to wake up just before the alarm, feeling well rested and ready for the day ahead. Perhaps you could have a slightly adjusted routine for the weekends and holidays where you may stay up an hour later in the evenings for example.
Drink a Glass of Water
When you wake up in the morning you will be dehydrated. This glass of water even if you don’t really want it will do you good and get you rehydrated. A glass of water in the morning will kickstart your metabolism. Try hot water with a squeeze of lemon. Delicious and healthy too.
Play Music
Getting up in the morning can be a bit tough at times, so try some great music to get your new routine going. Play music while you get ready, setting the mood for a great day ahead.
Exercise
For many of us exercising first thing gets us fully awake and energized. It can feel like a very positive start to the day, even if you just do 10 minutes of weights, yoga or simple stretches. If exercise is something you do later in the day, try to stretch a few times in the morning at least.
Cleanse
Hot showers are an excellent start to the day. Try alternating between hot and cold – It really wakes you up. In the winter months, you may prefer a relaxing hot bath. Take the time to do your personal grooming so that you feel at your best every day.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
A healthy breakfast will put you in a better mental and physical state when you start your day. Even if it is a small breakfast, make sure you have something to eat. This is also a good time to take vitamins or supplements. At this point you may also enjoy a tea or coffee.
Plan Your Day
Plan your day while you have breakfast or a drink in the morning. This new pace with which you start your day should help focus your mind as the routine becomes a habit. Make notes or write lists. Try to deal with any difficult or unpleasant tasks in the morning or early on in the day, clearing them will improve the change of you have a really good day.
Positive Affirmations
Each day a positive affirmation stated out loud or silently can help put you in the right frame of mind for the day. Something as simple as “Today is going to be an excellent day” or “I feel awesome today.” By doing this, you will be able to start the day with a positive outlook.
Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a wonderful way to cultivate a positive mindset. However you feel, it will only make you feel better. Take a moment each morning to think of 4 or 5 things you are grateful for today. Think about the feeling of gratitude and thankfulness. Notice how good it feels.
Meditation
Many people meditate in the morning and it does not have to be an hour-long affair. You could spend just 5 or 10 minutes meditating and quieting your mind. You may find inspiration in those moments of silence. The practice will calm you and set you up for the day. Click here to learn meditation and mindfulness
How to Make The Changes Permanent
One of the reasons a good morning routine is so beneficial is because we all love routines and they help up automate tasks. With habits and routines you don’t have to think about it, because it becomes effortless. The more we get things running on autopilot, the more comfortable we feel. So, when you have decided what elements will become part of your optimized morning routine you can put them in place. You can also write a list so you won’t forget anything in the morning.
Go to Bed Early
Good morning routines require going to bed earlier. In no time at all you will feel on top form every day. You will feel physically and mentally stronger and sharper. You will get things done and feel in control of your life. So embrace it, get into it and give it your all.
Make it Work For You
Ask yourself what you want from this morning routine? Is it to feel better in the morning generally, is it to clear boring stuff like exercise to ensure it happens? Is it simply to become a ‘morning person’?
I’ve come up with 3 example morning routine options that I think are great. Try one and see how you do. Sometimes a morning routine is different when you are on holiday from work or at the weekend. It may be also need to be different when you have a major project on the go.
1. The “Be Successful” Morning Routine
6.00: Wake up to an alarm that plays music. A great song that inspires you and makes you happy. Never press that snooze button. Count 1–2–3 and bounce out of bed. Stretch and drink a large glass of water, perhaps hot with a squeeze of lemon.
6.10: Do a quick workout. Press ups, weights or an exercise machine — rowing, cross-training, treadmill for example.
6.30: Hot shower. Skin care routine. Success affirmations while showering.
6.45: Eat a healthy breakfast and coffee or tea. Plus vitamins or supplements. While eating breakfast think about 3 things you are really grateful for.
7.00: Plan your day. Take 5 or 10 minutes to visualize your goals for the day and reflect on your goals for the future. Deal with unpleasant tasks first.
2. The Hygge Morning Routine
Add some coziness to your morning with some hygge. Hygge is the Danish concept of creating a comfortable atmosphere and having pleasant elements in your life.
7.15: You wake up to gradual light and ocean sounds from your alarm. You get up and put on your cozy slippers and a soft sweater or robe.
7.17: Drink a glass of water and stretch.
7.20: You can have a coffee or tea and enjoy the atmosphere of the morning.
7.35: A hot bath or shower and skin care and personal grooming.
8.00: Enjoy a delicious breakfast. Sometimes treat yourself to croissants or sourdough toast.
8.35: Light a scented candle or incense. Practice gratitude. Think of 6 things to be thankful for today.
8.45: Meditate for 10–15 mins.
9.00: Read for pleasure and then when you are ready you can plan the rest of your day.
3. The Zen Morning Routine
5.30: You wake up early as your alarm plays the sound of singing bowls or birdsong, setting a mood of tranquility.
5.32: You drink a glass of water. Yes I know this one is the same on all 3 options, but it’s good for you!
5.35: Light incense, practice meditation and deep breathing exercises for 1 hour.
6.35: A quick shower.
6.45: Eat a healthy breakfast and eat it by the window or outside if you can.
7.00: Gratitude and mini meditation to plan the day ahead.
7.15: Take a walk outside and reconnect with the natural world. Notice the changing of the seasons and the beauty all around you. You practice mindfulness as you work through your day.
Final Note
If you are interested in becoming a morning person, I have a hypnosis audio called “Wake Bright and Early” It is designed to help you become an early riser more easily and naturally, and to feel motivated and good about getting up early in the morning.