It can feel impossible to get into a morning routine in college — especially if you’re still getting used to college in general (like me)! But, it can feel super grounding to have some type of schedule in the AM to help start off your day on the right foot. Try any of these ten tips to start integrating more routine into your morning.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep
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There’s no worse feeling than waking up super groggy and unrested. One of the best ways to get into a morning routine is to try to get a good night’s sleep. Ideally, that would mean going to bed and waking up at the same time each morning, but honestly, that’s not super realistic. Instead, try to put your phone (and all other screens!) away an hour before you go to bed. Another way to make sure you get a good night’s sleep is to use the “Bedtime” feature on your iPhone — it ensures that you don’t get woken up in the middle of your sleep cycle! Getting a good night’s sleep will set your morning off on the right foot.
- Journal
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One of the best ways to start your morning off can be to journal. Writing in the morning can be one of the most grounding exercises before moving on to the rest of your day, especially when it can feel like you have a thousand things to do. Even getting out all your thoughts about anything can help make you feel more centered and able to take on all the things you have to do that day.
- Stop the Scroll!
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It’s so tempting to start Instagram scrolling the second you wake up — trust me, I’m guilty of it too. But, looking at other people’s posts as soon as I wake up doesn’t put me in the best mood for the morning. The morning should be about centering yourself and connecting to your own life. Instead, try to delay the scroll for the first hour of your waking up.
- Breakfast
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Eating a full course meal at 7:00am might not sound super appealing to you — and that’s okay! Breakfast doesn’t have to be a huge meal, but having something to eat in the morning (within an hour of waking up!) will help you stay focused and prevent you from getting hangry later.
- Get Moving!
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If getting out of bed in the first place is hard, the idea of working out first thing in the morning might seem impossible. But, the more you do it, the more it becomes routine! And, working out in the morning doesn’t have to mean going on a seven mile run (because trust me, I’d rather not!). Even a 15 minute yoga video on YouTube can make you feel so much more energized and ready to take on the day.
- Alone Time
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Having some “me” time in the morning is usually one of my favorite parts of the day. It helps me feel super grounded and centered before I go out and really start my day. Taking even five or ten minutes just to yourself can make all the difference.
- Read!
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Reading in the morning can be a great way to stay connected and up to date with the news. I personally love reading the opinion section of the newspaper in the morning, but any form of news can be helpful. If the newspaper isn’t your thing, try reading a few pages of your favorite book — starting the morning off by stimulating your brain can set you up for the rest of the day.
- Hydrate
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Hydration in the morning is KEY. Try to drink two cups of water (16 oz) in the morning while getting ready. Your body is dehydrated after not having water for six to eight hours (or however long you slept for), so it’s super important to rehydrate in the AM. It can also clean the toxins out of your body and help you feel more alert for the rest of the day. Drink up!
- Dance It Out
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Is there anything better than a little morning dance party? Turn on your favorite song and just rock out for five minutes. Dancing in the morning can raise your “happy” hormones (serotonin and dopamine) and be an instant mood booster.
- Meditate
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I know, I know… everyone says that a little morning meditation is one of the best things you can do — but it’s true! Personally, I find sitting still in complete silence really challenging. The app “Headspace,” is a great resource and offers guided meditations at various lengths. Or, if you’re up for it, set a timer and sit in silence for ten minutes (or however long you want to!). Trying to meditate each day can be challenging at first but it will eventually feel routine — and become such a grounding part of your morning.
Hopefully some of these tips were helpful, and you can start integrating some of them into your routine. Having a morning routine in college doesn’t have to be hard! Try different things out and find what works best for you.