The Guide To a Feel Good Morning Routine.
Ever feel like your mornings are missing something, or you’re not starting the day with as much focus and energy as you’d like? A thoughtfully crafted morning routine might be the answer. With just a few intentional changes, you can set yourself up for a day filled with productivity and positivity. Here’s a guide to building a morning routine that helps you feel more focused and ready to tackle the day.
PRODUCTIVITY
10/11/20243 min read
Step 1: Skip the Snooze Button
While hitting snooze can be tempting, it can actually make you feel groggy. Try moving your alarm to the other side of the room, so you have to get up to turn it off.
If you're really committed to waking up early every morning, you can also consider using a sunrise alarm clock, like the Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock that simulates natural light. This will gradually wake you up in a more gentle way that's kinder to your body. This may be an investment, but it has made waking up early so much easier for me.
Once you’re out of bed, take a moment to stretch and move around. You’ll be more awake in no time.
Step 2: Take a Moment for Mindfulness
Spending even a few minutes on mindfulness can set a calm, focused tone for your day. Here’s how to get started. You may think meditation and think "That's not for me" (that's what I thought at first). Give it a try! Meditation has been proven to decrease stress levels while increasing dopamine (the pleasure neurotransmitter), serotonin (the happy neurotransmitter), and GABA (the calm neurotransmitter). Listed are some ways you can practice meditation.
Mindfulness Meditation: Focus on the present moment, observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Guided Meditation: Follow along with a recorded session led by an instructor, often involving visualization, relaxation cues, and breath work. My favorite guided meditation app is Balance because it offers thousands of meditation files guided by meditation experts. There are also personalized programs, and daily recommendations, along with a progress-tracking feature. Balance even gives you your first year completely free (which sold me).
Step 3: Hydrate and Nourish Your Body
Drinking water first thing in the morning helps rehydrate your body and jumpstart your metabolism. Follow up with a balanced breakfast that includes some protein, healthy fats, and carbs to fuel your morning. A few options to consider:
A smoothie packed with fruit, greens, and a source of protein (protein powder, nut butter, etc.)
Oatmeal topped with nut butter (or soy/sunflower butter) and fresh berries
Whole-grain toast with avocado and a hardboiled egg
Step 4: Get Moving
Adding a little physical activity to your morning can make a huge difference. Remember, you do not have to do a full workout. 5-10 minutes of movement will signal to your body that it's time to wake up. Here are a few ideas:
Stretching. A quick stretching routine can get your blood flowing and improve flexibility.
Yoga. Try a few gentle yoga poses to wake up your body and calm your mind.
Quick workout. A short session of bodyweight exercises or a brisk walk can boost your energy.
Step 5: Plan Your Day
Take a few minutes to look over your to-do list and prioritize tasks. This helps you feel more organized and less overwhelmed. It can be helpful to focus on your top three priorities for the day, so you’re clear on what really needs your attention.
A journal that I use every morning and recommend to everyone is The Five Minute Journal. Its pages consist of:
Section 1: Write down what you're grateful for.
Section 2: Write down your top priorities and goals for the day.
Section 3: Write down your daily affirmations to boost confidence.
Step 4: Write day your highlights/best parts of the day.
Step 5: Write down challenges throughout the day you experienced as motivating factors to improve tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Remember, building a morning routine that works for you may take some time and experimentation. The key is to find habits that help you feel energized, focused, and ready to start the day. Give yourself a little grace as you try new things, and soon you’ll have a morning routine that truly boosts both productivity and wellbeing.