My Morning Routine

Hi there!

I’ve been honing my morning routine for the past couple of years. It has significantly improved my life. When I’m sticking to it my mental and psychical health are the best I’ve felt, and I’m more productive. However, last winter I fell out of many of my good habits. Since then I’ve been learning new ways to take care of myself and build my morning routine back even better than before. So let’s get into it!

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Morning Routine Video

You can watch a version of my morning routine below!

Routine Checklist

I created a checklist note in my phone of my morning routine to stay on track. It currently reads like this:

make bed
get dressed
stretch
affirmations
drink water
meditate
wash face
take care of animals
walk
ground
coffee

Now I’ll share the specifics of my routine and the reasoning behind each part. I’m not a doctor, this is just what I’ve found works for me 🙂

Waking Up

I wake up on my own naturally between 5:30-6 every morning. I’ve been getting up early for several years now so this part isn’t a struggle. If you struggle waking up early maybe try easing into it by waking up 15 minutes earlier and adding one habit each week until you’ve created your goal morning routine.

One thing I changed a few months ago is that I don’t get on my phone for this first hour of the day. My phone is charging in another room so I’m not automatically reaching for it when I wake up. Here are some reasons why:

Mindful Start: Starting your day without immediately diving into your phone allows you to begin your morning with a sense of mindfulness and intention. It gives you the opportunity to set the tone for the day without distractions.
Better Sleep Habits: Looking at your phone right after waking up exposes you to bright screens and potentially disrupts your body’s natural wake-up process. This can interfere with your sleep cycle and overall sleep quality.
Boundries: Setting technology boundaries has been essential for my mental health.

Make Your Bed

Personally I really like crawling into a made bed at night. But it’s also good because:

Sense of Accomplishment: Making your bed is a small task that you can complete early in the morning. It provides an immediate sense of accomplishment and can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. For me it signals the first step in my morning routine.
Order and Organization: A neatly made bed adds a sense of order and tidiness to your living space. This can contribute to a more organized and less cluttered environment, which can positively impact your overall mood and focus.

Get Dressed

This one is a bit obvious 😉 But I always set my clothes out the night before. It helps my whole morning go so much smoother so it’s a habit worth mentioning.

Stretch

There are so many benefits from stretching in the morning! Some days I do more than others depending what phase of my menstrual cycle I’m in. Here are a couple reasons I like stretching or doing yoga in the morning:

Energized Start: Engaging in gentle stretches upon waking can provide an energy boost by increasing blood flow and stimulating your body. This can be especially helpful if you tend to feel sluggish in the mornings.
Stress Relief: Stretching can help calm your mind and reduce stress. The slow, deliberate movements and focused breathing associated with stretching can have a relaxing effect on your nervous system.
Improved Physical Health: Stretching and yoga are linked to improved: flexibility, strength, balance, cardiovascular health, digestion, immunity, posture, and a better mind body connection.

Affirmations

I like to do affirmations and meditation within the first 15 minutes of waking up. This is when your brain is in theta state, and more receptive. I also drink at least 8 oz of water while writing affirmations. You can find tons of morning affirmation ideas on Pinterest based on your personal needs and goals. Here are some of of their benefits:

Setting Intentions: Affirmations allow you to set intentions for the day. By stating your goals and desired outcomes in a positive way, you’re programming your mind to work towards achieving them.
Motivation and Inspiration: Positive affirmations can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration. They can remind you of your purpose, spark creativity, and encourage you to take action.
Stress Reduction: Repeating calming and soothing affirmations can help reduce stress and anxiety. They provide a moment of mindfulness and tranquility, helping you start the day on a calm note.
Improved Self-Talk: Affirmations combat negative self-talk. Many people have an inner critic that can be harsh and self-deprecating. Affirmations counteract this negativity by promoting self-compassion and self-love.
Behavioral Change: If you’re trying to make positive changes in your life, affirmations can support those efforts. Repeating affirmations related to the changes you want to make can reinforce your commitment and dedication.
Resilience: Affirmations can foster resilience by reminding you of your inner strength and ability to overcome challenges. They provide a mental anchor during tough times.
Neuroplasticity: Regularly practicing affirmations can contribute to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Repeatedly focusing on positive thoughts can create new neural pathways that promote optimism and well-being.
Gratitude: Affirmations can include expressions of gratitude. Starting your day by acknowledging what you’re grateful for can set a positive tone and help you appreciate the present moment.

Water

Drinking water first thing in the morning, right after waking up, offers several potential benefits for your overall health and well-being. Here’s why this practice can be beneficial:

Hydration: After several hours of sleep, your body is naturally dehydrated. Drinking water in the morning helps rehydrate your body and kickstarts your metabolism.
Flushes Toxins: Drinking water can aid in flushing out toxins and waste products that have accumulated in your body overnight. This can help support your body’s natural detoxification processes.
Digestive Aid: A glass of water in the morning can stimulate your digestive system, preparing it for the day’s intake of food. It can also help prevent constipation by encouraging bowel movements.
Energizes Your Body: Hydrating in the morning can provide an energy boost, as dehydration can lead to feelings of fatigue and sluggishness.

I’ve read lemon water is extra good in the morning too!

Meditation

This is one part of my morning routine that is non negotiable. I typically meditate for 15-20 minutes in the morning. When the weather is nice I like to meditate outside, but I’ve also found it helps me stay on track better when I have a set place to stretch, write, and meditate.

Mindfulness and Presence: Morning meditation encourages you to be fully present in the moment. It helps you start your day with a clear and focused mind, allowing you to engage more fully in your activities.
Stress Reduction: Meditation is known for its stress-relieving effects. Practicing mindfulness in the morning can help you manage stress more effectively and set a calmer tone for the rest of the day.
Emotional Balance: Morning meditation can enhance emotional resilience. By developing a deeper awareness of your emotions and learning to observe them without judgment, you can respond to situations more calmly and rationally.
Improved Concentration: Regular meditation can enhance your ability to concentrate and sustain your attention. This can be especially valuable in helping you stay focused on tasks throughout the day.
Positive Mindset: Morning meditation can promote a positive outlook by helping you cultivate gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism. It encourages you to set a positive tone for the day ahead.
Enhanced Creativity: Engaging in meditation in the morning can stimulate creative thinking by quieting the mind and allowing new ideas to surface.
Reduced Anxiety: Meditation has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and promote a sense of calm. Morning meditation can help you manage anxious thoughts and feelings before they escalate.
Increased Self-Awareness: Meditation fosters self-awareness by encouraging you to observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations. This heightened self-awareness can lead to greater personal growth and self-understanding.
Physical Relaxation: Meditation can induce physical relaxation by reducing muscle tension and promoting a state of deep restfulness. This can help you feel more rejuvenated and energized for the day ahead.

Wash Face

I like to do my morning skin care before heading outside. This is simply cleansing and moisturizing my face.

Click Here to See How I’ve Lost Over 45 lbs

Go Outside and Walk

Because of the animals I go outside every single morning no matter what. So I’m getting that natural light and doing a bit of walking anyway as I let everyone out, get their breakfasts, and do whatever farm chores need done. However, I’ve started adding a short walk after this and am really enjoying it.

Going outside and walking in the morning can offer a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Here are some reasons why incorporating a morning walk into your routine can be beneficial:

Fresh Air and Sunlight: Morning air is often cleaner and fresher, and exposure to natural sunlight can help regulate your circadian rhythm, improve mood, and increase vitamin D synthesis.
Boosted Mood: Walking outdoors releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. It can help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting feelings of happiness and well-being.
Enhanced Energy: Morning walks can provide an energy boost for the day ahead by increasing blood flow, improving oxygen circulation, and stimulating the body and mind.
Increased Productivity: A morning walk can invigorate your body and mind, setting a productive tone for the rest of the day. It can also enhance focus and creativity.
Overall Health: Regular morning walks can contribute to overall fitness. Walking is a low-impact exercise that burns calories, boosts metabolism, improves digestion, joint health, and brain function,.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: Walking in nature can provide a sense of mindfulness and relaxation. Observing your surroundings, breathing fresh air, and listening to sounds can help calm your mind.
Enhanced Sleep: Exposure to natural light and physical activity during the morning can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, leading to better sleep at night.

Coffee

I do still have one cup of coffee in the morning. BUT I always wait at least an hour after waking up. Here’s why:

Waiting at least an hour before having a cup of coffee in the morning has to do with optimizing your body’s natural cortisol levels and managing your energy levels throughout the day. Here’s why this practice can be beneficial:

Cortisol Regulation: Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone,” but it’s also responsible for regulating your body’s internal clock and wakefulness. Cortisol levels are naturally elevated in the morning to help you wake up and become alert. Drinking coffee immediately upon waking can interfere with your body’s natural cortisol release.
Maximizing Effectiveness: If you wait until your cortisol levels start to naturally decline after waking (usually about 30 to 60 minutes), your body can experience the full effects of caffeine. This can enhance the energizing and alertness benefits of your morning coffee. By allowing your body to tap into its natural cortisol release first, you can potentially experience sustained energy throughout the morning. This approach can help you avoid the “crash” that sometimes comes after the initial caffeine boost wears off.
Balanced Stress Response: Giving your body time to wake up and release cortisol naturally can help balance your stress response. Consuming caffeine too early can potentially contribute to heightened stress levels or an overactive fight-or-flight response.
Improved Sleep Quality: Consuming caffeine immediately upon waking can affect your body’s natural circadian rhythms and potentially disrupt your sleep cycle. Waiting before having coffee can help maintain a healthier sleep-wake cycle.

Grounding

Unless I’ve chosen to do my meditation outside barefoot. I also typically use my coffee sipping time to kick my shoes off and ground while I spend time with the animals and in the garden. If you haven’t heard of grounding here are a few reasons you might want to kick off your shoes too 😉

Grounding, also known as earthing, refers to the practice of physically connecting with the Earth’s surface by walking barefoot on natural terrain, sitting, lying down, or using grounding products. Advocates of grounding believe that direct contact with the Earth’s electrons can have various potential benefits.

Improved Sleep: Grounding has been associated with better sleep quality and a more normalized sleep pattern. The practice may help regulate cortisol levels, align circadian rhythms, and promote restful sleep.
Stress Reduction: Grounding is believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can lead to reduced stress and anxiety. Direct contact with the Earth may help balance the autonomic nervous system and promote relaxation.
Enhanced Mood: Connecting with nature and the Earth’s energy is believed to contribute to an improved mood and emotional well-being. Grounding may increase feelings of happiness and contentment.
Neutralization of Free Radicals: Grounding is believed to help neutralize free radicals in the body, which can contribute to oxidative stress and cell damage.