The Importance of a Morning Routine

You may think you need to start a morning routine, but chances are, you have one. Whether or not it’s setting you up for a successful day is another question. A good morning routine help you be more productive, give you a sense of control among the chaos, and maybe even make you feel more confident.

If you’re hitting the snooze button, oversleeping, or rushing out the door with a coffee in one hand and sugary pastry in the other, it’s time to learn the importance of a morning routine. 

What Is a Morning Routine?

A morning routine includes everything you do before you consider your day “started,” whether the start to your day means your kids are off to school, you’re out the door to work, you settle in to your home office, you meet your friends for Tuesday tennis… however you spend your day. 

Whether you meditate, take a walk, make a mug of your favorite warm beverage with caramel syrup, or jump out of bed frazzled because you’re always late, those first few steps are what set the tone for the day.

If you’re rushed and feeling crazed, it’s hard to feel like you’ve caught up at any point during your day. But, if you start the day calmly and with activities that ease you into your day or set you up for controlled productivity, you’re more likely to have a smooth day.

Your morning routine doesn’t have to be lengthy or detailed. It just needs to include all the things that will set you up for a good day.

What’s an Example of a Good Morning Routine?

Your morning should be a time of easing into your day, setting yourself up for success, and taking care of yourself.

Here are a couple of examples.

Longer Morning Routine Example

You wake up at 6 AM – two hours before you must leave for work. You take five minutes to meditate before you even get out of bed, and then you spend the next 10 minutes stretching. Once out of bed, you wash your face with cold water to wake yourself up and pour yourself a  glass of water with a squeeze of lemon and a single drop of sweetener.

Next, you review your calendar and make your to-do list for the day, prioritizing your ‘to-dos’ so you aren’t overwhelmed while you eat a healthy breakfast. Once you have your day set, you jump in the shower and go on with your day. 

Shorter Morning Routine Ideas

Now, that example has multiple steps, and maybe you start to work early can’t get a good night’s sleep if you’re spending two hours on your routine before work. Don’t worry— this article lists morning routine activities that you can do in three minutes or less. 

What are the Benefits of a Morning Routine?

Choose a few practices and notice how easily you rolled into your day. Besides the peace of mind you’ll have, here are the other benefits of a morning routine:

• You’ll have more energy. They say you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you start the day with what fuels you, you’ll have more energy to give to the tasks and people that matter. 

• You’ll feel more in tune with yourself. When you take the time to pray, meditate, or journal upon waking, you’ll feel in tune with yourself and know what your mind and body need for the day. When you rush into your day, there’s no time to decide what you need.

• You’ll be more productive. When you take the time to figure out your day and what you must accomplish, you’re more likely to get things done. You'll start your day with intention and focus on the things you need to get done.

• You feel more in control. Mornings can be chaotic, especially with jobs and kids in the mix. Starting the day with even one intentional activity can give you a sense of control for the rest of the day, which becomes useful later when the day tries to sweep you up in the madness again. 

• You feel stronger. That sense of control can give you strength when you’re faced with weak spots throughout the day. You may feel more resistant to sugar cravings, you may stick with a problem longer at work and get closer to a solution, or you’re less likely to lose your cool under pressure.

• You’ll feel more motivated. If you incorporate good nutrition into your morning routine, you’ll be better able to carry out your intentions and have the energy to do it. When you start your day with the right nutrition, your body is fueled to handle what lies ahead instead of always feeling like it’s in fight or flight mode.

• You’ll feel more at peace. No one likes rushing around like a chicken with their head cut off, but that’s what it feels like when you don’t have a plan. Taking even five minutes each morning to plan your day can make you feel more peaceful.

• You’ll feel more confident. Knowing what you must accomplish and that you’re taking care of yourself so you can do it will help you carry confidence throughout your day.

Final Thoughts

If you don’t have a morning routine or you’d call your morning routine hectic, it’s time to change your ways. Even though change feels hard, this will feel a lot easier for you. You’ll love how you feel each morning and will be better able to accomplish everything you set out to do. At the end of the night, take stock of how you feel and how your day went. Chances are you’ll be amazed at how good you feel!