Morning Self-Care Routine
For the longest time, I never gave mornings much thought. They were just something I had to get through.
I’d roll out of bed feeling grumpy, grab my phone, and mindlessly scroll through news or social media.
Breakfast? It was usually something quick and sugary—maybe jam and butter on toast.
I never once thought that this had a profound effect on my day. The way I feel. The way I look. The way I work and interact with others.
I thought that mornings were irrelevant.
They are not.
They are the most important part of your day.
How to create a morning self-care routine?
Your morning routine will not be the same as mine. You have different timelines, different lifestyle, and different circumstances.
But this article should give you an idea of some small changes you can implement into your own routine.
Small changes may lead to big results.
One step at a time.
Is consistency important?
Author, John Maxwell said, “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”
So, yes, consistency is important.
You want to create a habit. And to create a habit, you need to repeat the same action until it stays with you.
To build a lasting habit, you need to practice it regularly until it becomes second nature—like brushing your teeth.
The goal is to eventually roll out of bed and perform your routine without even thinking about it.
Your morning routine starts the evening before
If you’re like I used to be, staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. watching movies or scrolling through social media, you’re setting yourself up for failure the next day.
When my kids were born I realized I would get no sleep if I did that. So I pushed my sleep time back and never looked back.
These days, I make it a point to be in bed by 9 p.m. I eat dinner by 7 p.m. and spend about an hour reading before I go to sleep. This has helped me get more consistent, restful sleep, and I wake up feeling refreshed.
Find what works for you.
Maybe you prefer to wind down later, but try to aim for the same sleep and wake times each day.
Early wake-up time
How you start your day determines how you create your life.
You do not want to sleep through your life and your goals.
Wake up every day with a purpose and a plan so that you can create and live the life you truly want. (Read Hal Elrod if you haven’t already).
I get up at 7 am. This year I plan to move my time to 6 am. The reason? I want to be up before my kids and morning school chaos to have enough time to write.
What are your goals? What would you like to do in the mornings?
If you get up an hour earlier, you can find the time to do it!
Avoid phones at all cost
Whatever you decide to do in the morning just do not look at your phone.
Read a book.
Listen to some music.
Get outside for a walk.
Sit on your balcony with a glass of water in your hand.
Close your eyes and envision your goals.
Just avoid shallow distractions. Social media. News. You get that enough throughout your day.
Let your mind wake up with light and air and movement.
I get up, brush my teeth, get some water, and get outside on my balcony whatever the weather.
I leave my phone in my bedroom, my airplane mode still on.
Pay attention to your thoughts
Your first thoughts can set the tone of your entire day.
I never paid any attention to what I was thinking in the morning. Usually, I would just be grumpy and dissatisfied that I had to get up.
But having tested positive affirmations first thing when I wake up, I have to say, they make a difference.
Imagine starting your day feeling grateful, feeling happy for the life you have, feeling you are living your best life, and thinking about the positive day that awaits you.
Your mindset changes. You feel lighter, happier, more energized.
You feel ready to tackle the day.
So start your day thinking about things you are grateful for, thinking about people in your life, and the love that you feel.
You can do it while brushing your teeth, drinking water, or taking a walk.
It becomes a habit that will forever change your life and mindset.
Move, just move!
The way you move does not matter. You can take a walk in your neighborhood.
Go to the gym.
Jump rope.
Do exercises in your room.
After drinking my glass of water outside, I use my old elliptical machine for 15-20 minutes. Some mornings I jump rope and do a couple of weight exercises.
Nothing wakes you up more than movement.
Maybe only sunshine.
What you eat matters
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
If you eat something light or do not eat at all, you are in for a day of snacking and overeating.
Go for a savory breakfast. My usual option is egg and avocado toast. It’s easy to make and delicious.
And it keeps me full until lunch.
Avoid eating something sweet. You then feel hungry before lunch and it also affects your mood.
This is now the best time to have your coffee too. At least one hour after waking up.
Plan your morning self-care routine
If you decide to get up early, have a reason. What do you want to do with that time?
Do you want to write a new blog post?
Read a book?
Meditate or exercise?
Have a plan, otherwise that time will go to waste.
And morning is the best time to do the most demanding task of your day.
To do deep work.
Work on your goals and plans in the morning silence of your room and crisp fresh air.
Conclusion
Building a morning routine takes time, but the effort is worth it.
By making small, consistent changes, you can create mornings that fuel your productivity, happiness, and success. The key is to find what works for you and stick with it.
Start small, and remember: mornings are the foundation for a successful day—and a successful life.
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