Mix and Match Morning Routines
Give Yourself The Gift of an easy, uplifting morning.
If you want to wake up at 4:45am and accomplish 15 things before the household wakes up and create some kind of “miracle morning” routine for yourself… This post is not for you. Rather, this is for the Mom who doesn’t want to roll out of bed frazzled and rushing through the morning, and is seeking an easier, calmer start to the day.
Benefits of Routine
Without getting all sciency on you, routine and habits have tons of benefits! The top two for me these days are that it reduces decision fatigue and creates dependability and stability for both me and the kids. I hate being scattered, especially in the morning, and little routines mean I don’t have to think about what needs to get done next - it just happens.
The morning routine ideas that I’m going to share with you today though, are not about having the kids make their beds without asking (finally), but rather about how to create a routine that supports your mind and soul before the craziness of the day. This type of routine provides a quiet respite that you can rely on that will benefit your emotional well-being so you can start your day with something uplifting and positive.
The Night Before
Before we talk about morning, however, let’s talk about the night before. In fact, the night before has more to do with a successful morning than the actual morning itself! These three tips have made my mornings so much smoother:
Get Enough Sleep. We all know how much sleep we need, so take that information and set yourself a regular bedtime. I know that if I don’t get enough, the whole house suffers the next day and I end up feeling like a zombie. Not fun. In addition to setting your bedtime, give yourself the time you need to do your bedtime routine and unwind so you can actually switch the lights off when it’s time.
Put Your Phone to Bed. We know that scrolling before bed disrupts your sleep, as does the light from your phone. I also know from personal experience just how hard it is to stop scrolling! I’ve started keeping my phone out of the bedroom to take away the temptation, and I honestly don't miss it. I also don’t miss waking up and grabbing my phone before my feet even hit the floor. The bad news and social media can wait.
Prep for Tomorrow. Think about simple tasks that you can do the night before that will make the next day easier for you. At our house, we do a five minute tidy of the main floor, turn on the dishwasher, get the coffee ready, and make school lunches. All of those things take less than thirty minutes when we work together, but it makes such a difference on those weekday mornings. You can also do tasks to support your new morning routine, like set out your walking shoes or fill a bottle of water to keep by your bed.
Morning Routine Ideas
There is no right or wrong way to start your morning, as long as it feels good and works for you. The following are suggestions and ideas for simple morning routines that you can adopt, adapt, or toss out the window as you see fit. The idea is to choose something that will make you feel good and ready for the day ahead. Pick one, and see how it feels; there is power in starting small!
Be Quiet. Enjoy a slow start to the morning and let your mind wander. Grab a blanket, sit with your coffee, and enjoy the quiet time.
Meditate. There are lots of types of meditation, and using an app is a great way to start if you’ve never done it before. You can also just sit in silence and let your brain “rest”.
Journal. Start a gratitude journal, or write your worries, your dreams, ideas, goals, or intentions. There’s something I love about filling up a page a day with my thoughts and not editing as I go.
Read. I like non-fiction in the morning, but spent the summer with a lot of fiction novels, too.
Move. Movement is a great way to get your body ready for the day. I like to walk without music or my phone so I can listen to my thoughts. Try gentle stretching, do an online Pilates class, go for a run, or meet a friend at a fitness class. What kind of movement feels good to you?
Start Even Smaller. If you’re struggling to get into any routine at all, choose the smallest, easiest win for you. Maybe it’s keeping a cup in the bathroom so you can have one glass of water first thing, or just making your bed.
The smaller the task, the more you are likely to repeat it. And even though the step may be small, you will still be rewiring your brain! You actually get an endorphin boost when you engage in a habit (which is partly why habits are hard to break), and you’ll feel proud for accomplishing something good for yourself, making it more likely that you’ll continue.
What’s the small step that you are going to make to create a sustainable routine that supports what matters to you? This isn’t meant to be restrictive, but rather life-giving and enhancing of who you are.