How To Create The Perfect Morning Routine, to Start Your Day Off Right

Morning routines… there’s trending ideas and hype about which one’s best, but how do you choose, and find one that actually works for you?

I don’t subscribe to a one-size fits all approach, and really the best way is to experiment, until you find one you love.  I’ll teach you ways to create your own, and share what has worked for me.

When done right, a morning routine can be a powerful way to practice great habits and set the right tone for success.

Maybe you’ve heard people say…

• You must wake up at 5 am!
• Jump in cold water, wake up your nervous system.
• Meditate for 2 hours a day.
• Do 30 minutes of this, or that.
• Read a book every morning.
• Read the newspaper, watch the news.
• Work first thing and make the most of those early hours.
• Work on personal development.
• Check your bank account daily.
• Go running or walking.
• Do an at home or gym workout.
• Walk with friends.
• Watch the sunrise.
• Spend time in nature.
• Get sunshine before noon to balance your circadian rhythm.
• Have a morning tea, coffee/or hot chocolate (I don't drink coffee). 
• etc.  

It can feel overwhelming, if we listen to all the opinions out there, and think we’re suppose to do it all.  You don’t have to do it all.  Keep it simple, and figure out what’s most important for you. 

Here’s how you can create your own.

1. Establish some rules. 

It’s a good idea to start by making a list of all the things you don’t want to be a part of your mornings.

 Ex. For me, I don’t like checking my emails or social media first thing in the morning, I do my best to avoid it until later in the day, because It’s a time-sucker and distraction. 

2. Next, define what you want to prioritize in the mornings. What is most important for you?

 Ex. For me, it’s moving my body, meditation, my lemon water, connecting with my kids and husband before they go to school/work.

 3. Decide how you want to feel in the morning.

Ex. I don’t like to feel rushed, frantic, or stressed, so I do my best to create a spacious morning, and try not to over-schedule myself.

4. Based on how you want to feel, what activities or rituals could help support that, and how much time do you want to carve out?

 5. Finally, schedule it in your calendar, be consistent, and celebrate your progress.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.  Remember that small actions over time, add up to big results.  Over time, your morning routine will become more natural, and it will just feel like it’s part of you. 

Start by adding or taking away just one thing to your morning, that would make it even better.  You can gradually go up from there. 

 Here’s what my typical morning routine looks like:

I don’t like a rigid routine, I give myself some flexibility, listen to my body’s needs for that day, but I’m pretty consistent on these morning steps.

• I enjoy a spacious morning.
• I don’t schedule things early in the day.
• I prioritize my sleep and wake up around 7am.
• I make my bed.
• I brush my teeth and get ready.
• I help my kids get off to school, a simple breakfast, connect with each other and off we go.
• I move my body, almost every day, whether that’s an outdoor walk in nature, a yoga class or a workout.
• I meditate regularly, this helps me feel focused and centered.
• I have a tall glass of lemon water daily, to detox my body.
• I keep a planner + gratitude journal, and go over what my day will look like, and prioritize what’s most important.
• I regularly drink a green smoothie for breakfast (an easy way to get nutrition, and it feels great).
• Daily gratitude ritual.  We do this together as a family, we say what we’re grateful for, on our way to school/work. 

After I wrap up my routine, I feel ready to create, contribute and work.  I look at my priorities, and can jump into and tackle some of the “hard stuff,” while I’m at my peak performance hours.

Some things I don’t do:

• I don’t watch the news in the mornings, and rarely other times.
• I don’t make appointments or commitments, unless totally necessary, in the mornings.
• I do my best to not go into email + social media first thing in the day.
• I don’t wake up at 5 am, I prioritize as much sleep as possible.
• I try not to consume information in the mornings..I do my best to instead, keep a clear mind, create and contribute my own work out into the world.
• I don’t make huge breakfasts, unless it’s a weekend or special occasion.  I keep it simple and as stress-free as possible.

What's a morning non-negotiable for you?

Do you have a morning routine? What’s one thing you would add or take away from your morning to make it even better.  I’d love to hear.