Do you rush through each morning at top speed just to get out of the door on time? Instead of setting five alarms and skipping breakfast, try creating a morning routine that prioritizes your well-being. Treat each morning as a way to set the tone for the rest of the day to be healthy, happy, and productive.
The best morning routine is, of course, different for everyone. Whether you have 20 minutes or a full hour to spare each morning, there are many ways to bring wellness and self-care to the start of your day. You don’t have to consider yourself a morning person to figure out the ideal morning routine.
As you follow along, remember we at The Good Patch are hoping to inspire you with morning habits that can benefit you, not tell you exactly how your morning needs to look. Our Rise And Shine Set is designed specifically to help you start the day right.
Carry on reading for our best morning routine ideas to spark your interest and get you ready to shine every day!
1. Drink Up!
Start each morning with a big glass of water to rehydrate after a good night’s sleep. Having enough water in your body is essential to all sorts of daily tasks and activities. Many studies prove drinking water supports your brain and immune system and kick-starts your digestion.
Try squeezing lemon into your water for more flavor and vitamins!
2. Eat a Well-Balanced Breakfast
A healthy diet includes a variety of foods, and the first meal of the day is the perfect time to start eating right. The main food groups to focus on are:
- Proteins, such as eggs, yogurt, and nut butters
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Grains like oats, whole wheat, and quinoa
- Healthy fats, including avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds
Maintaining a balanced plate or bowl for breakfast will ensure you get all the calories, nutrients, and vitamins you need to feel energetic throughout the day or at least until lunch!
Smoothies are an easy and healthy alternative if you aren’t the most hungry in the morning.
3. Get Your Blood Circulating
A quick stretch or morning workout prepares your body and brain for a more productive day. Making exercise a part of your morning routine encourages you to be more consistent with your physical activity because you get it done before the day has a chance to tire you out or distract you with other responsibilities.
Besides stretching, have a shot at yoga, jogging, or cycling. Exercising will put you in a better mental space while also boosting your metabolism and general physical health.
4. Catch Plenty of ZZZs
Before you can get to any of the items on your morning routine list, you’ll need some proper rest!
Hit the hay in the evening, so you have enough time to get the recommended seven to nine hours of undisturbed sleep. For those of us who have a long commute or just have early commitments, getting to sleep early means that waking up early doesn’t have to be so painful.
Unfortunately, many of us have trouble falling asleep. Try our Dream patch the next time you snuggle in for a good, long snooze.
5. You Snooze, You Lose (Time, That Is)
On the topic of sleep, avoid the temptation to hit the snooze button when your alarm clock rings in the morning. Instead, try to hop in the shower or drink that glass of water right away to get your day rolling.
Giving yourself the extra time needed to complete your new morning routine will make certain you walk out the door feeling calm and empowered, rather than stressed out.
6. Find Your Zen
If active exercise doesn’t work for you, there are other ways to get your body in tune both physically and mentally when you wake up each day.
Here are some methods we love:
- Meditation
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Mindful Eating
Combined with positive self-talk, these mindfulness practices will send you off feeling more than ready to tackle the day.
7. Throw Open the Blinds
Natural light and fresh air have an abundance of benefits for our physical and mental health. Letting the sun in can help improve your mood, boost your vitamin D levels, and help fight problems with your sight. Research shows there is a strong link between natural light and productivity.
8. Detox From Social Media
While you enjoy the warm light of the sun in the morning, consider taking a break from the blue light of your smartphone.
Social media apps like Instagram and Tik Tok are wonderful inventions for keeping us connected and entertained, but sometimes we can overdo it. As much good as they have brung, it is difficult not to compare ourselves to the apparently perfect lives others constantly post.
Limiting or avoiding social media in the morning may help you start your day more relaxed and present.
9. Write Down Your Most Important Tasks
There’s no need to come up with a to-do list of everything you need to do. Determine which tasks you should prioritize and which can hang out on the back burner today.
Realizing you don’t need to get everything done will make you more productive and less overwhelmed. Even getting started on just one thing you have to do can make your agenda feel much more manageable.
10. Make Your Bed!
Not to sound like your mother, but seriously, make your bed! A room in disarray can quickly turn into an equally disorganized mind.
Committing to putting your bed back together each morning can help get the rest of your day on the right track.
11. Puzzle Over the Crossword
Don’t worry about filling in the whole crossword, especially the tough ones at the end of the week! However, testing your critical thinking and memory will wake you up and sharpen your mind.
Save paper by subscribing to an online crossword app and give yourself a fun game to look forward to as you enjoy your morning cup of coffee!
In Conclusion
A morning ritual might just be the difference between a good and bad day, so take advantage of whatever time you have each day to make it the best you can. Whether you only choose one or all of the ideas we’ve proposed, you’re on the right track to set yourself up for success every day.
The challenge now is to stay consistent. It’s incredibly common to get derailed from our varying paths to wellness. Instead of getting frustrated with yourself, be proud of the effort you’ve put into making a change.
If committing to your new daily routine just twice a week allows you to get started, go for it! It’s totally okay if getting eight hours of sleep only leaves you with time to eat overnight oats and head out the door. Remember, we all have different situations, and all we can do is find what works for each of us.
In the meantime, keep up with what we have going on at The Good Patch for healthy morning routine inspiration that can aid your journey!
Source:
Five Benefits of Exercising in the Morning | Piedmont Healthcare
How Sleep Works - Why Is Sleep Important? | NHLBI, NIH
The importance of hydration | News | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Shining Light on What Natural Light Does For Your Body | Sustainability
Beyond the Bulbs: In Praise of Natural Light | The New York Times