Five Ways to Improve Your Morning Routine
Growing up, my grandma had a solid morning routine. She would wake up, wash, drink coffee while getting dressed, and watch the news. Somewhere in between, she would wake me up and help me get ready for the day. After she did her daily prayer, we would head out for our walk, down the block, through Forsyth Park, and make it to the bus stop. I’ve always liked her consistent routine and saw the importance of having one for myself, but I envisioned making some personal tweaks.
Since my childhood, there have been many changes: our technology has advanced, where we have an iPhone to watch news on the go, if you don’t have a car, you can use Uber or Lyft, and we now have the option for remote work. I’m grateful for these advances but have not always used them to benefit my habits and routines. I will admit to phases of doom scrolling in the morning or rolling out of bed 10 minutes before my remote shift. I knew this behavior was unsustainable in the long run, so I made a few changes. Follow along with me as I share five things I’ve incorporated into my morning routine and share practical tools for supporting better habits.
Waking Up Earlier
Let’s rip the band-aid quickly. If you wish to have an effective morning routine, you may need to wake up early. The idea of a morning routine is to squeeze in self-care and intentional moments before leaving or logging on for work. Depending on your goal, be prepared to have at least 30 minutes to an hour of morning time, just for you.
Whether you wish to read a chapter of a book, take a run, or pour into a hobby, you are making the most out of this valuable time. The morning starts the day, setting the tone for what to do ahead. A morning routine has been proven to increase productivity, focus, and performance in daily life and career. This improves your wellness and mental health overall, positively affecting quality of life. However, this could be challenging if you are not a morning person or not used to having a productive morning routine. Getting up at 5am or 6am to work out may sound crazy to you and does to many people. But is it crazy, or is it a powerful life hack? I’ll share some of my morning routine practices and their positive benefits that contribute to my day and life, look for something you wish to implement yourself.
1. Get Moving
I start my morning with a 10–30 minute workout, depending on what I feel I can handle. This workout sets the tone for energizing my mind and body, allowing me to feel awake and ready for the day. I prefer to stick to a cardio YouTube workout, but alternate between going on a morning jog or walk. When I wish to switch it up, I opt for yoga, another great form of movement and a great way to implement daily affirmations.
Why these options fit me: You may prefer something rigorous, like a run or an intense bike ride. Either way, morning fitness have many positive benefits, improving mood and energy levels, a healthy metabolism and weight, and increased cardiovascular health.
2. Read Something
Whether it’s a blog, a magazine, or a book, I enjoy having something to read. But this has not always been the case. For some time, I stopped reading and joined many adults who no longer read for pleasure. My main excuse was a lack of time; however, I noticed I needed to make the time. I also realized the importance of exploring my reading interests.
You may have outgrown a previous genre if you still feel unmotivated to read. Dedicate some time to developing your interest and reading comprehension. Here are some key benefits to reading in the morning:
Enhances cognition
Improves Communication
Increased Creativity
3. Pour into Your Hobby
Are you a content creator, plant enthusiast, or creative person? Remember who you are outside of work and ensure you dedicate time to that version of yourself. The morning is a great time for creativity, allowing you to explore your hobbies and interests thoroughly.
I like to use my mornings to write for this blog and my personal creative writing. I found that early hours are optimal for my writing. It’s quiet, the sun is still coming up, and I get a cozy feel that cannot be matched during lunch or at night. Still, we all have preferences. But despite preferences, dedicating morning time to increasing your skill set and getting closer to your goals ensures consistency and personal growth.
4. Eat Clean
What you eat in the morning is the starting fuel for your day. If you have a long day ahead of you, I recommend eating nutrient-rich foods that will supply energy to you for some time or at least sustain you until lunch. If you wish to add breakfast to your morning routine, have go-to meals in mind to save time and add ease to your morning.
My go-to is a scrambled egg and avocado with coffee or tea, or fresh fruit for when I want something fast and healthy. Breakfast can be an essential part of your diet, depending on your overall nutrition plan and calorie management. Take that into consideration when prepping your lunch and meal planning for the day.
5. Meditate
Dedicate some time to just thinking and mentally preparing for your day. This quiet or personal time allows you to balance and understand your inner world. How often do you get time to pause and think throughout the day? Take advantage of the morning time you put aside to improve your mental health and wellness.
I use my meditation time to balance my thinking, check my emotions, and tend to how I feel. Another good use is daily affirmations and manifestations. In these practices, you reaffirm yourself and visualize what you want out of your day. Initially, it can be difficult to calm inner thoughts or keep still. Guided meditations are great for sharpening this skill and practice.
Get Tools to Support Your New Routine
This is always optional but if you wish to shop for wellness journey supplies please visit my shop, or follow me on social media to keep up with my personal journey.
