The Power of the Morning Routine
For some, morning time can be challenging, let alonefinding the motivation to get out of bed and be productive all day. Though it is easy to find tons of morning routine ideas online, not all are practical, plus it’s difficult to find what can be applicable to your lifestyle. The right morning routine can be as simple or as complex as you need it, but the essential thing is that it should work for you.
We often undermine the importance of starting our day ‘on the right foot’. Morning routines set the tone and the mood for the rest of our day. In addition, creating a morning routine can help you start your day with a sense of purpose and structure.
How you kick off the day has so many health advantages that you can no longer ignore the implementation of a decent morning routine in your life.You decide what your morning looks like and set the pace.
Benefits of a morning routine on your daily life:
Less stress
Now that you’re in control of your morning, you are less likely to have surprises: you are no longer unnecessarily rushed by unforeseen circumstances, that means you no longer arrive at work stressed before you even started your day.
Increased Productivity
Research indicates that cortisol levels are higher for the first few hours after waking up. Higher cortisol levels lead to increased alertness as well as greater productivity. In addition, those who wake up early and follow a schedule have more time to complete tasks throughout the day.
Better Sleep Quality
A consistent schedule allows one to take control of their sleeping patterns. Consistently going to sleep and waking up at relatively the same time each day improves the quality of sleep and makes it easier to get through the day with a clear mind.
Ideas for Creating a Morning Routine for Yourself:
Determine your goals
Consider what you hope to achieve by establishing a morning routine. Do you want to feel more energized? Be more productive? Create a plan for your day? Identifying your goals can help you structure your routine in a way that supports them.
Decide on a wake-up time
Determine what time you need to wake up in order to accomplish your goals and get ready for the day. Try to wake up at the same time each day to establish a consistent routine.
Create a plan & Choose right
When you know you’ve got hectic days ahead, a little planning can go a long way. Have a look at your calendar and see what’s scheduled. Integrate your goals and your list of to-do’s so you have a plan of action.
Plan out your morning routine in detail, including activities such as exercise, meditation, breakfast, and personal hygiene.
Choosing what you do first as soon as you get out of bed is crucial: make it something you look forward to, like listening to soft music while making your coffee, cuddling with your kids or meditating,… and make it a ritual.
Write it down
We lead extremely busy lives, compared to our grandparents and even parents. Our minds can remember that many details. At some point, we may start forgetting a few things on our lists. One way to overcome this is to make your device work for you, meaning schedule everything on it. Use your reminders, your notes’ section… include in it everything that needs to be there. Get it off your mind– so you avoid staying up the night thinking about what you need to accomplish.
Start small and increase gradually
Most people fail to stick to their morning routine because they go all out at once and exhaust themselves trying to ‘get it all in there’.
Rather than overwhelming yourself with everything that needs to be accomplished, it’s advisable to slowly build your habits by starting with a few tasks and activities. Thus, it’ll be easier for you to add more as you go along.
Avoid technology
Or delay it as much as possible! By mindfully avoiding to scroll reels and posts during your morning routine, you can more properly build up your focus for the day ahead, subsequently leading to an overall more productive morning. One way I recommend is to set a time before which you are going to remain social media ‘free. And stick to it!
You may also want to include some time for self-reflection or goal setting.
Stick to your routine
Once you have established your morning routine, commit to it. Try to avoid staying up late or deviating from your routine on weekends or days off.
Adjust as needed
Be open to adjusting your routine if you find that it is not working for you. Remember that your routine should support your goals and help you start your day on the right foot.
Some additional tips to consider
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Prepare for your morning routine the night before by setting out your clothes, packing your bag, or prepping breakfast.
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Avoid checking your phone or email first thing in the morning to reduce stress and promote mindfulness.
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Gradually introduce new activities or habits into your routine to avoid overwhelming yourself.
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Be patient with yourself if you struggle to establish a routine at first. It takes time to create a new habit.
For more tips on how you can best create routines that work for you and get rid of habits that might be hindering you, check out Dr. Carla Kesrouani’s website or reach out directly for a free consultation.
