Mornings aren’t everyone’s cup of cold brew. They can feel like an abrupt interruption to peaceful slumber. Especially when that dreaded alarm starts its insistent ringing, and all you want is five more minutes.
Even the most devout morning people aren’t immune to the occasional case of the Mondays. If you’re not one to break into song as you greet the birds outside your window (ahem, Cinderella or Joey’s neighbor on Friends), a morning routine is probably the last thing on your mind.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a morning person to benefit from a morning ritual. A few intentional practices each AM can set the tone for your entire day and actually make mornings something to look forward to.
Here are eight essentials to help you craft a morning routine you’ll stick to.
It starts before you head to bed:
Plan Your Day: Reflect on what needs to get done versus what you want to do. Make two lists—“needs” and “wants”—and prioritize them. Often, just writing things down makes your day feel more manageable and productive.
Prep, Pack, and Lay It Out: Pack lunches, set out your outfit, and prep gym clothes for the next day. Less morning stress, more smooth sailing.
Forget About Your Phone: Keep your phone in another room to avoid late-night scrolling. If you use it as an alarm, grab a $5 clock instead. This reduces distractions in the morning, too.
Get to Bed at a Reasonable Hour: Your best work late at night? That’s habit, not DNA. A good night’s rest supports productivity, mood, and overall health.
Doing these three things will set your day up for success, inspire calm, focus, and better health overall.
When you wake up in the morning:
When you wake up in the morning, use these three habits to help inspire calm, focus, and create better health for the rest of your day:
Prayer & Sunlight: Begin your day with a few moments of prayer, reflection, or gratitude. Pair this with exposure to natural sunlight, even if it’s just opening a window or stepping outside. This quiet, intentional practice grounds you, lifts your mood, and signals to your body that it’s time to wake up.
Exercise: Move your body! A 15–30 minute walk, yoga, or light workout wakes you up, releases endorphins, and improves mood. Choose something you enjoy. You don’t need to become a CrossFit champion, but you do need to show up and move.
Other morning must-dos:
Wake Up 30 Minutes Early: If snoozing is a problem, place your alarm far from your bed. Use the extra time for quiet tasks, light exercise, or prayer. Avoid the internet at all costs. Don’t fall into the quick trap, wasting your morning scrolling. Make social media wait.
Make Your Bed: Even a small accomplishment like this sets the tone for your day. You’ll feel accomplished, even before coffee.
Have a Real Breakfast: Take 10–20 minutes to enjoy something nourishing, whether it’s yogurt and fruit or scrambled eggs with avocado toast. Sit down and savor it. Eating breakfast is the fuel you need to start your day.
When Your Morning Routine Feels Like a Chore:
If your morning routine feels more like an obligation than a source of energy, it might be time to reassess. The goal is to fill yourself up, not add more stress. As The Living Well suggests, “If it’s another thing you feel an obligation to or something you believe is necessary for helping you arrive, you’ve missed the point.”
Here are some tips to make your morning routine more fulfilling:
- Ditch the Alarm on Your Phone: The harsh ringing and bright lights can start your day on the wrong foot. Opt for a soft alarm clock that helps you wake up more naturally.
- Keep Your Phone on Airplane Mode: This limits EMF exposure and prevents the immediate influx of emails and notifications, allowing you to start your day with a sense of calm.
- Drink a Glass of Water Before Anything Else: Hydrate first thing to energize your body and kickstart your metabolism.
- Focus on What Fills You: Choose activities that bring you joy and positivity, rather than those that feel like tasks to check off.
Remember, the purpose of a morning routine is to fill you, not to add pressure. Let go of the ‘perfect’ morning and make choices that nourish you, regardless of what life brings.
Create Your Own Routine
The key to a morning routine that sticks? Make it yours. List the activities you want to include, estimate the time they’ll take, set your alarm, and try it out. Don’t chase perfection. Be consistent, plan, but keep it flexible.
How you plan is the secret to how you live.
Order a Nourished Planner and change the way you show up and live.
