Today let’s focus on developing healthy morning routine habits. Do you have a morning routine? Studies show that those of us who do usually start off our day better and get more done! And it’s so much better for us to make healthy, purposeful choices in our lives! Let’s look at 12 things you can do to make the most of your morning!
I must admit I often roll out of bed way too early, grab a glass of water and coffee, turn on the news and get to work. Not the best way to start the day. So I’ve been researching a better way to start the day and am sharing what I found. Let’s work together to make a healthy morning routine part of our day!
WAKE UP EARLY AND AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY
Having a set bedtime and a set wake up time is the best thing for your body! Make sure to get up a little earlier and enjoy a morning “routine” before you face the day! And don’t hit the snooze button. Studies have shown that it does not give us more sleep and only makes us rush through the morning creating more stress.
Wake up and greet the day!
My Bobby rises and goes to bed at the same time every day… even on the weekends! And he has a set routine in the morning before work. I call it “puttering”. But it works for him and gives him time to get set for the day! He’s my “perfect example”!
DRINK WATER
Reach for a warm cup or two of water with lemon or mint first thing in the morning! The warm water won’t shock our bodies. Remember we have been without water for the whole night and need rehydrating before we get our first cup of coffee! Make this a habit EVERY DAY! But do what I say and not what I do. I love ice water in the am!
It’s nice to make a pitcher of fruit and herb infused water to drink all day long!
After water… then we can drink our coffee!!!! Thank goodness!
DON’T TURN ON THE TV… LISTEN TO SOME INSPIRING MUSIC INSTEAD
I’m such a news hound that this is hard for me. But I’m starting this new good-for-me habit. I have a Pandora station called INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TO WAKE UP TO. Choose music that gets you going in the am!
If you trust an Amazon Dot you can see my favorite HERE.
It’s so nice to be able to have music fill my home… even early in the morning!
MAKE YOUR BED
This is a biggie! Studies have shown that people who make their bed every day are more successful and are more productive than those who don’t. It’s all about the habit of ritual! So mom was right! Make your bed!
SHOWER
Did you know that showering in the morning is better for your skin than showering or bathing at night? Our skin releases toxins while we sleep so it’s a good idea to wash them off in the am. And it helps wake us up too!
DRESS ALL THE WAY TO YOUR SHOES
I learned this long ago. When we get going and get dressed all the way down to our shoes we tend to start our day with more purpose in mind! This is a really great habit to develop! Dress to face the day!
EAT BREAKFAST
I must admit, I’m not much of a breakfast eater.
So, I opt for a great protein shake with lots of fruit in it and my Juice + vitamins. Breakfast gets our metabolism going and gives us energy to get started in the morning.
But don’t overdo it! Studies show that a light breakfast is best!
TAKE YOUR MEDS AND VITAMINS
Take your meds and vitamins like clockwork in the morning.
My Bobby takes one pill and sets an alarm to remember. It goes off at 6:30 am sharp! I usually forget to take mine until noon. I’ll be setting an alarm like him!
PRAY
Spend time every morning doing some kind of devotion and praying. It’s good for your soul and will start your day off right! Spending time with God is the number 1 way my life has changed for the good!
EXERCISE
The best time to exercise is in the morning! It revs us up and gets our metabolism going for the day ahead.
I can’t say I love to exercise so I like to get it out of the way first thing! Swimming is my exercise of choice. That’s one exercise I do LOVE!
I just had my treadmill moved from the basement to the study. It may not look pretty but I get on it every day!
LOOK AT YOUR SCHEDULE
Start each day by checking your schedule and making a to-do list. Prioritize the top 5 things of the day and work on them first!
Did you know that people who spend only 10 minutes a morning planning get so much more accomplished than those who don’t!
PUT IN A LOAD OF LAUNDRY
If you sort a load of laundry at night it’s easy to stick it in the wash first thing in the morning. Make it a goal to dry, fold and put that laundry away the same day! If you do this you will have lots of nice clean clothes and a laundry basket that is manageable!
There you have a dozen, good for you things to do in the morning! The benefits of a morning ritual will carry on throughout the day!
And don’t forget to create an evening routine too! You might want to read GREAT IDEAS FOR A HEALTHY NIGHTTIME ROUTINE.
Do you have any morning tips that have served you well? Please share!
I totally enjoy & appreciate your blog. I have found your decorating ideas/rules so helpful. Where can I find the picture next to the bed/behind the lamp. What is the name? I love it!
Thank you!
Hi Teresa, I found these pictures at a local shop. Sorry, I have not been able to source them.
Good ideas!! Gratitude, make the bed…I run the dishwasher in the evening and unload it while coffee is brewing. Starts the day off without dirty dishes in the sink. Then, I sit with my doggie in my lap, drinking coffee, checking computer, mail. listing to-dos for about 45 minutes, then dress for the day and work on to do list. I’m an early bird, but my Zoe and I love the ritual of snuggling together for those few minutes, I enjoy routine and I feel the best when I have accomplished some small project by the end of the day.
Hobbes, my cat, is with me when I make coffee in the am. He knows that the treat jar is next to the coffee maker. Aren’t our pet family members the best!
All of these ideas,of course, we hear all the time but it is so motivating that you are doing them daily and making changes! I cannot imagine getting into my lovely linens at night without a bath or shower. But I do love a wake up shower. Looks like I will be super clean now ?. Thank you!
I love a nightly bath too! It does feel so good to get in the sheets when I am clean. But mostly I am a shower in the morning girl.
Give us a post on what are easy, light breakfast.
Thanks!
Hi Nan, maybe in the fall! I often make a protein shake or have overnight oatmeal.
I do many of these things each morning! I look forward to my morning routine; it really does start the day off right! Thank you, Yvonne.
You are so right, Barbara!
All these ideas are great, if followed regularly one may achieve great decipline and positivity in life. Thanks for sharing. And I am amazed by the fact that you regularly follow this routine. Great!!!
I’m far from perfect but for me this is a great morning routine to strive for.
Hi Yvonne,
In a recent post you mentioned reading a book called Gracelaced. My copy arrived today and I am wondering whether to start at the beginning entitled “winter” or if I should start with the current season of summer? Or am I being to literal? There is no recommendation from the author so I thought perhaps you could share your thoughts.
Thanks
Hi Margo! I hope you enjoy this beautiful book. You can really start anywhere. I might suggest starting at the season we are in. I hope you are blessed!