Morning routines are a great way to help start your day and get into the habit of having a productive and upbeat morning. If you're someone that struggles with Depression or you have a hard time getting out of bed, morning routines can help provide structure to starting your day, without being overwhelming. Even if you're not struggling with getting out of bed, the importance of morning routines should still be considered. Morning routines are a great way to boost productivity, set yourself up for a flow state, and cultivate a good mood.
There is no right or wrong way to create the perfect morning routine for you, all you have to do is get started. It's a process of testing and optimization and takes time to tailor to your specific needs. Morning routines may change with time, and that's good! It means you're learning more about yourself and your needs. Morning routines don't need to be a chore, but something that you should look forward to.
Creating a morning routine
The first thing in creating a morning routine is to decide what you want to start trying. Here are a few examples of our favorite morning routine hacks:
Don't check your phone first thing in the morning
Many people will recommend not checking texts, emails, social media or the news first thing in the morning, and with good reason. Although it's so easy to reach for your phone when you first wake up in the morning, it instantly pulls you in other directions and makes it harder to check in with yourself. Going down a social media spiral, or getting caught in the news can bring you into other people’s priorities before you have a chance to be deliberate in how you spend your day.
Build a meditation routine
Meditation can look like many different things. It doesn't have to be sitting on a meditation bench for twenty minutes. It can simply be walking into your backyard and listening to the birds. It can be taking a couple of minutes before you get out of bed to focus on your breath. Test out different ways of meditating and find out what feels best to you on each day to connect with yourself in the morning.
If you’re new to meditating, there are a few great apps like headspace or insight timer to get started.
Tend your garden, feed your starter, or take care of your pup
For those of you who have other living things in your house that need attention, like a garden, plants, a sourdough starter, or pets, create space to take care of them. Be present in the flow as you're feeding whatever it needs. This doesn't need to be a chore, but can be something that you look forward to.
Read a book
Reading a book when you wake up in the morning is a great way to start the morning slowly. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, reading a book can help you gently start your day while lying in bed, outside, or on the couch. Remember, the moment is just for you.
Stretch to slowly wake up your body
Move your body. Whether this is a longer yoga session on an app on your phone or at a studio, even a couple of minutes stretching your hamstrings or back can be a great way to practice self care and get ready for your day (especially if it involves a lot of sitting).
Exercise
Some people love to start their day with exercise. Whether this involves going to the gym, on a run, or to a class, consider adding exercise into your morning routine. Simply going on a walk in your neighborhood can be a great way to start your day and doesn't need to be as intensive as a cardio workout.
Remember, beginning a morning routine is to cultivate what works and doesn’t work for you. Exercise can be a part of that so creating tests to try out can be helpful to see what feels best.
Savor a cup of coffee or tea
For those who love their morning cup of coffee, is there a way for you to enjoy it even more? If you're drinking it from home, is there a mug that you love? Or even a spoon that you enjoy stirring in cream or sugar? Be present with your process and cultivate as much joy as you can from the experience.
Start a morning journal or gratitude practice
Morning journaling is encouraged by many influencers and is often talked about by entrepreneur and famed podcaster, Tim Ferris. Journaling in the morning can include creating a to-do list for the day, expressing gratitude, or releasing any stress and anxiety.
For your morning journal, you can choose what you want to do that morning. Switch it up based on your intuition and what would serve you most.
Make your bed
Making your bed is another popular part of a morning routine that's often talked about. It can be a great way to have a win to start your day. This helps you complete a task to start your day and get you in the flow of taking care of yourself. If you're working from home or in your bedroom, this is particularly helpful in creating a space to get work done.
Try one thing on the list
When creating a morning routine, you don't need to do everything on this list. Even doing one of these things can help boost your productivity. A successful morning routine is one that can be sustainable and you feel like it's helping you accomplish the goals that you set for yourself. It's better to have a few things on this list (or others you create for yourself) that you do regularly than including a dozen of these items that you only do sporadically.
Be kind to yourself
This doesn't have to be something that is draining over time. If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up. It's okay to move in flow and allow life to happen.
If you're looking for other ways to help you with your focus, check out this article on How to Improve Your Focus at Work.
