Waking up in the morning can be tough. Thankfully alarms, coffee, and the sun creeping in through the window are all there to give us that extra nudge we need to get us on our feet. Trust me, there are days where I feel so unmotivated and sluggish and my bed is just too cozy for my own good.
But, mornings need some new perspective. It seems we’re always in such a rush for the next big thing that we forget to give ourselves the attention and care we need to show up for the day as our best selves. Sure, there may be times where you’ve woken up late and are rushing out the door, kept getting stuck at a red light, or you totally forgot to submit your term paper, but setting up a productive morning routine for yourself can help you set a better pace to get up and ready every day. You are totally in control of how you choose to view your day, so be intentional.
Here are some life-changing habits I’ve tried that can get you started.
- Wake up at a consistent time every day
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The goal is to train your body to wake up before your alarm does. This will make your body feel more rested and alert. Use Mel Robbin’s 5-second rule by counting backwards “‘5-4-3-2-1” and force your body up. Giving yourself too much time to decide whether you want to stay in your cozy bed or get up will most likely cause your body to hit the snooze button on you.
You’ll be surprised at how much more you accomplish instead of chilling in bed switching through social media apps or checking your work email. Totally guilty. Besides, this is you time — nobody needs your attention that early in the morning and the notifications will still be there by lunch time.
- Drink water
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This is one I have struggled with, but nourishing your body in the morning will keep you more energized throughout the day.
First thing in the morning, I’ll fill up my Hydracy water bottle and chug. It even has the hours of the day on it so that I can be consistent and give my body the fuel it needs to conquer the day.
Speaking of water: splash some cold water on your face and pat dry. Literally, a whole new world.
- Get some sun
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Open up the curtains and let some rays of sunlight in or go outside for a walk, if you have time. Exposure to sunlight releases serotonin, a hormone in your body that boosts your mood and can help you feel calm and focused.
Better yet, even open a window and get some fresh air, if it’s not too cold or rainy out!
- Make your bed
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This may sound tedious, but making your bed allows you to have the satisfaction of a small win in the morning. It allows you to be at ease with the thought that if you can do this, you can tackle anything the day brings. The little things really do count and shift you into a positive mindset.
- Read something
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Read something positive — and not on a screen. Whether it be a mantra or a chapter of your favorite book, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes of quiet time in the morning to activate your brain, get you inspired, and put you into a creative flow.
Personal growth books are great to read in the morning because they’ll help you to feel good about yourself and your day. If you need a recommendation, try You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. My other favorites include Rachel Hollis’s Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant To Be and Own Your Everyday: Overcome the Pressure to Prove and Show Up for What You Were Made to Do by Jordan Lee Dooley. If those titles aren’t enticing enough to earn your interest, I don’t know what will be.
- Write in a self-reflection or gratitude journal
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This is one of my favorites and something I am in the process of incorporating into my routine. Express what you are grateful for. Write down anything and everything that comes to your mind — worries, doubts, goals, and dreams. This will improve your mood and allow you to release any stress that you are feeling so that you don’t carry it over into your day or the people around you.
It also allows you to reflect upon your emotions and spend some time getting to know yourself better. And cute leather journals are a good bonus.
- Listen to a morning podcast or playlist
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Listen to something that makes you feel alive and sing and dance along. You may not have time to listen to the entire thing, but nothing beats having some uplifting background noise on your morning drives, in the shower, or as you’re making breakfast.
Plus, Spotify has a bunch of morning playlists according to the music genre you relate best to. There’s one that’ll get you moving if you want an energetic start, one perfect for a morning commute, and even one for the productive gals who need to focus.
Genuinely feeling good from the inside out can set the mood for your day. Be a little selfish with it, girl. Your morning routine should be something that is personal and peaceful to you. It’s time we become “morning people.”