The tone that you start your morning with, highly determines the direction of your day. The best self care morning routine should set a foundation of peace, focus and clarity to transform your day.
Morning habits tend to look different for everyone, what you find perfect might be different for someone else. There is the 5am club, the sleep in club and those that prefer to rush their way out the door. As long as it works for you, why not do it? Just make sure it’s healthy for your well-being. I personally love slow mornings.
A well balanced morning routine is important for personal development, it should cover your mental, emotional and physical well being.
Read the article to discover habits that you can include in your morning routine checklist to practice mindfulness and energize your day.
One thing most people tend to overlook is, just because it’s called a morning routine, does not mean that it starts in the morning. Not really, it starts the night before, when you prepare to have a restful amount of sleep, place your morning necessities in order and have intentional thoughts.
10 BEST HABITS ON MORNING ROUTINE FOR SELF CARE
1. Wake up earlier.
Wake up earlier before your usual rising time to find time to connect with yourself, in the peace and quiet. It could be an hour, or even 30 minutes. I find that mornings are sacred and they hold a different form of energy. Use a soft alarm with nature or sunrise sounds. It makes a big difference rather than having a beeping sound that may irritate you.
2. Hydrate with water.
Hydration is key, especially after sleep. It flushes out any toxins. Now, I see most people recommending to keep a glass of water on your bedside, not advisable. If you find it amust, cover the water to prevent particles and micro organic stuff that can get in it.
Also just to stretch and ensure that you are actually awake, why not walk to the kitchen and get the water there? Infuse your water with lemon juice to get the extra minerals.
3. Freshen up, stretch and practice mindful movement.
Freshen up! We all have different definitions of that, it’s not my place to judge. Brush your teeth, wash your face, complete your morning skincare routine and hop on a quick shower if you can. This will boost your blood circulation and energy.
A morning routine with workout is the perfect way to start your day as it increases focus and boosts your mental health. Always include a form of work out. It could be stretching, yoga, mat pilates or going to the gym.
Mindful movement in the morning will awaken your energy, improve blood circulation, release stiffness and bring in calmness for better mental clarity. If you would like to find yoga poses that you can try, read here.
4. Set your goals and intention for the day
Nothing feels better than setting the goals of your day and ticking out a to do list. One thing, you definitely won’t keep on asking yourself, “What did I forget?” Or better, you will not completely forget about a task and have to rush trying to complete it.
Setting clear goals for the day also helps to focus on what is a priority, avoiding tasks that may distract you. As someone with an ADHD brain, I can get distracted easily. I noticed that setting at least three main tasks on my daily routine helped me stay productive.
5. Read a self help book
Self help books on personal development are a great way to start your day with knowledge. Begin with reading 2 or 3 pages a day. There are so many categories of self growth books : Career and Finance, Mindset, Healing, Love & Relationships.
Currently, my favorite genre of self help books are on healing, discovering oneself and my attachment styles in relationships. I have written an article and given examples on books to read on each situation or direction that you would like to take in your life. Click the links below to find a genre that interests you. All the books have reviews and a bit of information about the author.
- Books on Mindset
6. Journal, Practice Gratitude and Positivity.
Having a morning routine journal will bring abundance and joy in your life. You will love yourself in ways you never knew possible. It will also make you see the tiny things that you have been missing and make you feel more grateful. Don’t know what are the best ways to journal? Here are a few tips.
- Set a timer. Give yourself five minutes and dedicate them on thinking intentionally.
- Brain dump, write down 3 things that you are grateful for, any small or big thing. It could be having a roof over your head or being alive and healthy.
- Use a guided journal if you are just beginning your journaling journey, one that has prompts or questions.
- Use a pen and book rather than a phone or electronic device.
7. Have a Healthy Breakfast.
I am not a fan of eating early in the morning, a cup of coffee or tea does it for me. Unfortunately, a healthy morning routine should include a balanced breakfast. The kind of breakfast that you eat will affect your energy levels. What to avoid? Sweet treats, cereals with chemicals or basically an empty stomach.
Have a breakfast rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats. It could be overnight oatmeal with banana and nuts, eggs with avocado or another healthy combination. Find out what works for you.
8. Make your bed.
Is it weird that some people will spend a whole day without making their bed? I don’t know, but I find it irresponsible. Part of that girl morning routine means that you make your bed on a daily basis. It takes two minutes at most. This is a small but important habit. It is a symbol of order, self discipline and personal development.
Open your windows for fresh air, even if it’s for 5 minutes. The breath of fresh air and natural light is good for the body and soul.
9. Go for a morning walk or just step outside for a few minutes
A mindful morning routine is complete with stepping outside. It might be for a walk, run or just stepping out on your balcony. This will boost your mood, prepare you for the day, create alertness, bring clear thoughts, reduce stress and connect you with the outside world/nature.
You can start with five minutes, ten, and gradually increase to what you find best.
10. Avoid using your phone.
This should have been the start of the article as it is the most important, after setting the intention to wake up. Scrolling on phones immediately after waking up is a habit most people are stuck with. It definitely causes intense dopamine strikes so it’s hard to let go.
Some might use an excuse of checking emails or work messages, remember the morning routine is for YOU.
Give yourself at least 30 minutes of screen free time on your morning self care routine, it will make a difference.
Conclusion: Is it good to have a morning routine?
Yes, this is the foundation of your day. The benefits of a morning routine are immense and I find it hard not to have one. Think of the productivity boost, mental clarity, energy enhancement, physical benefits and the state of flow that it comes with. I believe that all successful people have morning routines that set them for greatness.
Try it for a week and see the results. Do not push yourself so hard. Practice at least three or four habits in the beginning and eventually go for more.
The root of having a morning routine that you can stick on comes from your inner self and personal development. If you would like to find out about ways to have a personal development plan, how to get into a routine and be a better self, Read Here.
