Morning Routines That Will Transform Your Life (and How to Stay Committed)

Ever wake up like you’re meandering through your mornings, hardly awake and already behind? Uh-huh. Me too. But what if I told you that with a few adjustments to your morning routine, you might be able to change your entire day – perhaps even your whole life? Grab your seat belts, because we’re going on a ride for some life-altering morning rituals that’ll get you jumping out of bed (okay, at least not more than groaning).

Wake Up and Smell the Productivity

Let’s get one thing out of the way: the alarm clock. I know, I know – the snooze button is so tempting. But here’s the thing: snoozing is essentially saying to your brain, “Nah, we’re not quite ready to start dominating yet.” So instead, do this: when that alarm goes off, count to five and then drag yourself out of bed[2]. It’s not sexy, but it gets the job done.

And speaking of alarms, ignore all that you’ve heard about successful individuals being early risers. The trick is finding YOUR optimal wake-up time[7]. Maybe you’re a 5 AM warrior, or perhaps you’re a 8 AM riser. What’s important is that you’re consistent. Pick a time that works for you and stick to it – even on weekends (I know, I’m sorry).

Hydrate Before You Caffeinate

Before you grab that coffee cup, pick up a glass of water. Your body’s been H2O-deprived for hours, and it’s drier than a camel in the desert. Drinking a glass of water first thing can aid in kickstarting your metabolism and removing toxins[1]. And it’ll make that first cup of coffee even more delicious.

Move It or Lose It

Now, I’m not referring to jogging a marathon in the morning before breakfast. But getting your body moving in the morning can be miraculous for your energy and mood. It could be a quickie yoga session, a walk around the block, or even a few stretches. The point is to get your muscles revved up and blood circulating[1].

Feed Your Mind (and Your Belly)

Breakfast is perhaps the most polarizing meal of the day. Some insist on it, others do not eat it at all. Here’s the truth: do what is in your best interest. If you are a breakfast person, have something nutritious that will kick your morning into high gear. If you are not, that is fine as well. The important thing is to fuel your mind with some quality stuff. Read a few pages of a motivational book, listen to a motivational podcast, or list three things you are grateful for[1].

Plan to Win

Spend a minute or two before you kick off your day to set priorities for your activities. What are the most important things that you need to accomplish? Write them down. This little exercise can make a lot of difference to your productivity and focus[3]. And if you want to go the next step, try a tool like Motion to auto-generate the perfect to-do list for you.

Stick to It: The Art of Habit Formation

So, at this point, I’m sure you’re wondering, “Great, but how do I actually get these habits to stick?” Good question. The trick is this: start small. Don’t try to overhaul your entire morning routine in one night. Pick one or two habits to tackle and build from there[2].

Another pro tip: prepare the night before. Lay out your clothes, prep your breakfast, have your gym gear set out. The fewer decisions you have to make in the morning, the better chance you’ll have of following through on your new habits[7].

The Morning Routine Cheat Sheet

To keep things easy, here’s a brief checklist to help you create your perfect morning routine:

– Wake up at a regular time

– Take a glass of water

– Get your body moving

– Fuel your mind (and perhaps your stomach)

– Prioritize the day ahead

– Skip screens for the first 30 minutes

The point isn’t to have a Pinterest-perfect, Instagram-worthy morning routine. The point is to build habits that fuel you and position you for success. So be gentle with yourself, and don’t hesitate to change things as you go.

In Conclusion: Your Morning, Your Rules

At the end of the day (or, rather, at the beginning of the day), the perfect morning routine is one that works for you. It might take a bit of experimentation to find your groove, but trust me, it’s worth it. A good morning routine can be the difference between feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up and feeling like you’re in control of your day.

So, are you ready to revolutionize your mornings and, by extension, your life? Remember that, as they say, “How you start your day is how you live your day.” Let’s make it a good one, shall we?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my alarm clock. To brighter mornings and even brighter days, here’s to that!

Citations:

[1] https://www.mentorink.com/blog/top-9-best-morning-habits-to-change-your-life/

[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/comments/ow0lha/how_to_make_a_morning_routine_that_i_can_stick_to/

[3] https://www.usemotion.com/blog/morning-routines

[4] https://www.bupaprivateclient.com/en/blogs/the-benefits-of-a-morning-routine

[5] https://asana.com/resources/best-morning-routine

[6] https://www.calm.com/blog/daily-routine

[7] https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/best-productive-morning-routines

[8] https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/how-to-stick-to-a-morning-routine/