How’s your morning routine doing? Do you have one? If not, or if you’re just not feeling the first hour of your day, this post will give your ideas to kickstart your day. Whether you’re looking for a morning routine for school, or inspiration for a new morning routine aesthetic, this post is for you!
I’ve heard a lot of people scoff at the idea of a morning routine… But here’s the thing: a morning routine can center you and truly reduce your stress. It won’t solve all your problems (by any means), but I truly believe it can ease your anxiety. Even the simplest schedule in the morning can help you.
A few years after moving to the USA, I found myself unable to work because of visa issues. It was a really challenging time: I had to leave my job and wait indefinitely to work again and regain the ability to leave the country to visit my family. (Okay, but why am I telling you this?)
I tell you this story because what saved me in that really difficult period was establishing a morning routine. It gave me a schedule to keep to and a sense of purpose.
However out of control I felt during that dark period, I knew when I woke up that I had to do certain things – and that grounded and distracted me in my state of very real stress.
This post is all about ideas for your morning routine.
1. Start the night before
Unpack your bag, get your outfit in order for the next day, and prep some breakfast!
These are just some of the ways you can prep for the next day.
The best morning routine checklist is one that includes the night before prep. Think of some of the things that cause you stress in the morning: how can you avoid this? Here are some of the things I do the night before:
- Prepare a glass of water with mint and lemon and place it in the fridge overnight
- Get my coffee filters ready
- Pick out an outfit and have it laid out in my bedroom (normally workout clothing and clothes for post-work out)
- Pack my bag for work
- Prepare my lunch and snacks
2. Take a cold shower
I know… the cold shower is not for everyone!
But I will say this… if you’re feeling really overwhelmed, I highly recommend taking a cold shower for as little as 30 seconds. It’s amazing how different you feel.
I don’t do a cold shower every morning by any means, but I definitely use it when my cortisol levels are high. I recommend getting in, running the warm water (do you skin care or wash your hair, whatever you normally do), then slowly decreasing the temperature!
3. Sit in silence
Some call this meditation, but sometimes that word puts a lot of pressure on people.
Why not spend the first few minutes of your day just sitting upright, eyes closed, and absorb the silence? Whatever pops into your head, that’s okay.
When I was at my lowest, I found doing this for just five minutes in the morning helpful. I helped me identify racing thoughts and figure out how to ease those stresses as the day progressed.
4. Do your hair and skin
There’s amazing satisfaction in getting your hair and skin prepped for the day.
Your morning routine skincare doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or be super complicated. It’s just about giving it the basic care it needs.
As for your hair? Again, what does your hair color and texture need to be healthy? Give yourself ten minutes in the morning to take care of your hair and skin and I promise you’ll feel better for it.
5. Spend time on a hobby
I truly believe our life is made up of flow-state moments… having a hobby is totally part of that flow state.
For me, playing the violin gets me out my head. I’m not thinking about anything but the music. I don’t spend 30 minutes, or even 15, playing in the morning, but practicing a few songs for the music group I’m part of is a positive way to start my day.
Don’t have a hobby that you’re actually into…? Now is the time to try something new or finally start the hobby you’ve been dreaming about. Remember, you don’t have to give it more than 5-10 minutes — it’s just about actually doing it!
6. Move your body (and get outside!)
It doesn’t have to be a 60 minute cardio workout: any kind of movement is a really positive way to start your morning.
Some ideas? Here are my favorite and most doable exercises (I recommend a minimum of 25 minutes):
- A walk or hike
- A run or jog
- A gym workout (a walk or run on the treadmill and weights)
- A fitness class (pilates, cycling, yoga, bootcamp)
- A dance class
- Swimming
7. Read and/or write
If you want to create a morning routine for success, why not try spending a little time reading and/or writing?
Maybe there’s a book you’ve been wanting to read, poetry you want to write, or a desire to journal your emotions to deal with stress?
Whatever your reason, 10 minutes to read and write can be a calming staple of successful morning routine.
8. Listen to a podcast
Check in with the news, listen to some wellness news, or connect with your favorite comedian.
Podcasts are an easy way to get the mind stimulated as they day begins. You can also listen to them as you workout, do your make up, and pretty much everything else.
The best part? It creates a little company if you’re feeling lonely or isolated.
Now, get out there and go live your best life.
This post was all about ideas for your morning routine.
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