Just like a balanced breakfast gets you pumped and ready to start your day, finding a morning routine is equally important for balance and success.
Think of it as your own personal Yin and Yang.
Starting your day with a few simple tips and tweaks can be just what you need to be your best productive self!
WAKE UP EARLIER
Ever wake up for class or work and wish you had extra time? You hit that snooze button and realize you’re only left with 5 minutes?
It probably seems like getting up earlier defeats the whole purpose of getting more sleep, but waking up 15 or 20 makes a world of difference.
Take those extra minutes and center your mind, and set your intentions for what you hope your day will look like.
Tip: The recommended time to wake up is typically 5:00 AM. That’s a whole lot of centering, but you get the point. The earlier you can comfortably wake up, the less sleep-deprived (hopefully) you’ll be.
DON’T CHECK YOUR PHONE
Now, this is insanely difficult especially since we’re so attached to our phones. Heck, if it were up to me, I’d be on a perpetual digital detox vacation all the time— see my Let’s Talk About Tech post.
However, everything in what? M.O.D.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.
So let’s do baby steps. When you first wake up, like mid-yawn, try not to reach for your phone because once you do, it’s waaaay too easy to fall into the ‘social media trap’ as I like to call it.
Then before you know it, you’ll get so distracted by notifications and social media that you probably won’t notice how much precious time just flew out the window…until you wish you had that extra few minutes.
Tip: Try putting your phone on airplane or do not disturb mode so Y.O.U. get to dictate the start of your day.
KEEP HYDRATED
If one of your New Year’s goals/resolutions was drinking more water, downing 2 out of the 8 recommended 8 daily ounces in the a.m. hours is sure to help you feel refreshed and alert.
Not to mention that when you first wake up, your body hasn’t had water while you slept so you’ll be in need of some hydration.
I like to fill up an insulated water bottle right before bed so I can immediately remember to have a fresh drink when I first wake up. And yep, it stays good and cold!
Tip: If you want to give yourself an extra boost, try adding a few squeezes of lemon to your water. Not only will it help you wake up refreshed, but it also helps detox your body. But if you’re not a fan of lemon or other citruses, try other fruits that tickle your fancy like lime, kiwi, strawberries…have fun with the possibilities!
OPEN YOUR BLINDS & MAKE YOUR BED
Let there be light! Turn off your inner Dracula and open those curtains!
Leaving your room dark will just deceive your mind into thinking it’s still night and we know what that means… you’ll just wanna fluff that pillow and stay in bed.
Equally beneficial is making your bed when you get up. Yep, I know. The inner kids in us want to rebel but snapping your covers reduces stress levels. Plus, keeping your bed -neat and organized will set the right tone for your day. Besides, coming home to a well-made bed? Nothing’s better!
STRECH OR PRACTICE YOGA
I’ve recently gotten back into this holy grail for the body and soul, and boy don’t I wish I’d done it sooner! Not only will it get your body moving and wake up your joints and muscles, but also your mind. That’s a win-win in my book!
Tip: If you’re new to yoga or not sure what stretches could work for you, I highly recommend following some YouTube videos and going with the ones that speak to you and your level of comfort. Personally, I’ve been following SarahBethYoga. She does an awesome job of incorporating stretches into her yoga routine while breaking them down into targeted areas like movements that are good for back or neck pain. She even has morning or night routines.
MAKE A NUTRIUOUS BREAKFAST
I’ll admit, I’m not a breakfast person and usually tend to skip it, but breakfast truly is one of the best ways to start your day. So as I try to break a bad habit, join me in trying to eat something healthy every morning.
On days when I can swallow the idea of a big breakfast, my go-to is usually a small strawberry yogurt bowl with fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of granola, and a drizzle of honey!
Tip: While breakfast is important, finding the right balance of how much to eat is equally as important. For me, I can’t really eat a big breakfast or I start to feel super nauseous. Point is, eat the right amount of food that gives you enough energy for your body type (height, weight, nutritional needs) for the day. If you’re not sure, try speaking with your doctor or a nutritionist for some healthy ideas.
TACKLE THAT TO-DO LIST
If you read my Sunday Prep Like a Boss or How to Stay Organized During the School Year posts you’ll know I’m OBSESSED with planning and to-do lists.
Jotting down all the things you need to get done will actually help you relax knowing you won’t forget important information. Extra treat? Keeping track of your most important tasks activities, at the top of your list, will ensure your top priorities are done first.
Tip: Have to-do list anxiety? Try tackling little tasks first or checking off small activities you’ve already accomplished that morning! Had your breakfast? Put it on the list and check it off! Drank that 2 servings of water? Add that too! Seeing and marking things off helps you feel more productive and fueled to accomplish more tasks.
24 Comments
I love all these tips and I agree with the rising early. I awake most days at 4:30am I’m an early morning person. I’ve also started to drink ? lemon water first thing in the morning. If I can keep lemons around .
Shout out to you for being an early morning person! You for sure make my wake up time look late, lol! Water in the morning is so refreshing! I especially love when it’s ice-cold!
Love it! Each of these are way better ways to start my morning that I do now. I so need to hydrate more.
Yipee! So glad you’re loving the tips! Gotta get that water in!
I try to get up before my daughter so I can practice these things. I need to start sleeping with my phone in the other room to charge.
Haha, I should probably put my phone in another room too! I think I’d have a mini freak out when I wake up and notice it’s not within reach ?!
Love these tips! I’m all about getting up and doing my yoga right away to wake up my body and mind! Need that natural light too!
So happy you liked them! I’m the same way too! Natural light for sure makes me feel more energized and ready to conquer the day!
Mornings can be so terrible. Doing a few things for yourself is so nice like a yoga!
Some mornings really hit harder than others! It’s always nice to have a moment to relax before starting your day!
I have an insulated bottle of water by my bed too, I hate room temperature water and having it cold helps me drink more easily
Same girl! I have no idea how I survived with room temperature water before! I can for sure chug 3 bottles worth if it’s freezing cold
Will have to give these a go. My mornings are definitely difficult, to say the least!
Thanks for the tips!
Mornings can be a pain! So glad you enjoyed the tips!
I take a drink with me to bed every night so I keep myself hydrated until the morning! I also turn my phone off before I go to bed, something which I have always done! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yes! Love having that cold drink in the morning! I for sure need to work on not checking my phone in the morning though…
Keeping myself hydrated is my biggest downfall. I always seem to go through the day and discover I haven’t drunk a single drop.
I used to be that way too! I find that having my water super cold makes me actually want to drink it. I don’t know if you get thirsty after having something minty, but popping in some gum or mints throughout the day and chugging some water feels so refreshing.
I’m slowly becoming more of a morning person but I think adding these to my routine is going to give me that extra push!
Hannah | http://www.writtenbyhan.com
Girl, it took me having 8 am college classes to become a morning person. So glad you might add this to your routine!
I feel like making your bed makes such a huge difference to your day! I always make mine as soon as I wake up and it just kind of sets the day up if that makes sense? X
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
I get you! I always make my bed too. I remember I didn’t do it once and my day felt all out of whack!
This is such a brilliant post, thank you for the inspiration! I have been waking up a bit earlier so I can practice YouTube yoga and it really makes a big difference to the day ahead. I need to remember to drink more water though, keeping a water bottle by the bed is a great idea! Thanks for sharing your tips and also, wow, your blog is absolutely gorgeous!! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Have you seen your blog? It’s gorgeous!
Thanks so much for the compliment and feedback!
Totally agree with you! Doing some yoga in the morning has done wonders for me! I feel more energetic and ready for the day.