Some of us are natural morning people. We spring out of bed before our alarm goes off and we're ready to take on the day! For the rest of us, mornings can be a struggle. This may feel especially true when we get into the winter months, and it seems like sunlight is so hard to come by. Those dark mornings can feel even harder to get out of bed.
But despite the struggle, the way we start our day can have a big impact on the rest of it. It’s like setting ourselves up for success, right from the get-go (even if you struggle with the get-go part). This is where a daily morning routine can really help us out. In this blog we’re going to cover the benefits of a morning routine, some healthy morning routine ideas, and how sticking to them is possible even if you don’t consider yourself a morning person.
Benefits of a Morning Routine
Life for many of us can feel a little hectic. The often chaotic nature of our lives is one big reason to introduce a healthy morning routine, by introducing control and structure where you can. Because let’s face it, there’s a lot we don’t have control over in our day. Your kids get sick, you have a new last-minute project come up at work, family is coming to visit, or your car is suddenly giving you trouble. Adding in some semblance of control to your life is one of the many benefits of a morning routine. But there’s more: another benefit of following a morning routine is that it puts you in a good mood too. Taking considered steps to focus on yourself in the morning will put you in a good position to have a great day. Here are some ideas to help you do that:
Healthy Morning Routine Ideas
- Skip the rude awakening - don’t suffer first thing with the sound of a harsh buzzer. Choose a song or melody you like. Research has suggested that a preferred tune instead of a buzzer can help wake you up. Another alternative is a light alarm clock, which gradually helps your body wake.
- Seek the light - in the summer months, don’t hesitate to throw those curtains open and let the light shine in to wake you up. Natural light can work wonders in helping get our body started. If you’re stuck in the middle of November and it’s still very dark when you wake up, use overhead lights in your house.
- Make your bed - the idea here is to find small ways to be productive during your morning routine. Don’t see yourself making that bed every morning? Maybe you’d rather do some dishes or throw some laundry in the wash. Just don’t set the bar too high - find a productive win that can give you a boost of accomplishment before you even leave the house. Future you will thank you.
- Wash your face - make your way to the bathroom and splash some water on your face. You don’t necessarily need to do a full face wash with soap in the morning, but a splash of water helps wake up those sleepy eyes.
- Water, water, water - you might be tempted to reach for the coffee first thing in the morning but hold off and start with water first. Rehydrate yourself after your sleep before you eat.
- Fuel yourself - with food, not necessarily coffee! Start your morning by refueling with a simple, nutritious breakfast that contains protein like oatmeal, eggs or yogurt and granola. Bonus points if you can prep it the night before to give you one last thing to do in the morning!
- Move your body - morning movement can be very helpful with waking up our bodies, minds, and putting us in a good mood to start the day. This doesn’t have to be a 5km run! Try a five min stretch routine or a walk around the block with your dog. Keep it attainable and most importantly, something you enjoy.
- Gratitude journal - start your day with gratitude. Spend five minutes or less every morning jotting down what you are grateful for. We have a gratitude journal post that provides some great tips on getting started.
- A moment of joy - before you rush out the door and into your busy life, find a moment for joy for yourself. Maybe it’s a quick crossword puzzle or chatting on the phone with a friend of yours. Do something that makes you feel good, and then take that feeling into your day.
These are just morning routine ideas - they’re definitely not the full list of what you need to create a healthy morning routine for yourself. See these as starting points, or a menu of items that you can choose from and create a healthy morning routine that works for you.