Hopping out of bed, quickly getting dressed, scarfing down a meal, then rushing to work is far from ideal. However, this is a reality for most people.
We live in a world where we have our plates way too full, we work too much, and we make little time for ourselves. Lacking a morning + evening routine can really throw off the day, make you feel more rushed, and have you low on energy throughout the day.
Why Can Morning Routines Be Difficult?
One of the top reasons people lack a routine when they get up (or get ready for bed) is because they feel they just don’t have the time. While completely understandable, as life can be very chaotic, a morning routine doesn’t have to be an elaborate ordeal. Even taking 5-10 minutes can be a total game changer! As mentioned above, lacking a routine can actually leave you feeling more rushed than if you were to set aside time to ease into your morning.
Another reason a morning routine can be thrown off is due to a sudden change in work schedule, children, etc. Because we can’t expect each morning to be perfect, it is important to be flexible in your routine and do what you can when life happens.
What Should a Morning Routine Look Like?
A morning routine does not need to be snazzy! It can be as simple as just making your bed. The purpose of creating a morning routine is to help you feel more grounded in your day, so this can look different for each person depending on their needs. As we always mention, when initiating new habits it is really important to start small. So, be sure to slowly ease into new habits to make them last long-term.
To give you an idea, here’s a general rundown of what my most of my mornings look like: 5 minute stretch in bed, make the bed, skin care and brush teeth, drink a large glass of water + make my favorite coffee, daily CARs, eat breakfast, and take a quick walk if time allows.
Over time, this has become something that just happens without having to think about it. A morning routine can contain any of the following:
- Drink water
- Make a drink you love (coffee or tea)
- Make your bed
- Prepare a delicious, nutritious meal (or eat one you’ve already prepped!)
- Practice yoga for 10 minutes
- Stretch
- Journal
- Read a few pages of your favorite book
The list goes on! Choose things that you enjoy, make you feel ready to conquer the day, and support your goals.
Now What?
Whether you already have or don’t have a morning routine in place, it is important to reflect on what you currently do when you wake up. Are there things you can add, change, or work on? After you pinpoint areas to focus on, you can start by slowly implementing new habits into your morning routine.
Once you master your morning routine, you can start to hone in on your habits you practice before bed!
Having a set of habits you practice each morning can help make your day better. Remember, it doesn’t need to be elaborate or extravagant! Do what works for you, your goals, and your schedule.
