While it may be tempting to hit the snooze button on your alarm clock or check your emails first thing in the morning, implementing these seven habits into your morning routine can keep you grounded, help you be more productive, increase your overall wellness and improve your mental health.
I am a huge believer that small habits form success and my clients can totally agree!
The habits outlined below are habits that I have adapted from podcasts, books, my client’s experiences, and my own experience, so take what works for you and feel free to modify depending on your lifestyle.
10 Healthy Morning Habits to Start Your Day
1. Do not touch your phone:
Sounds simple, but this is a tough one!
The one minute I take to check my phone always turns into an hour of scrolling social media, answering emails and DMs. This always makes me feel rushed and stressed which ends up making my family feel rushed and stressed as well. It’s not worth it.
Instead, fight the urge and leave the phone on the charger for another hour. If this is difficult for you, try charging it in another room to make it easier on you to break the habit.
Enjoy slower mornings and use the time in the morning to start your day with intention. Do some deep breathing and think of the things you’re thankful for.
2. Drink a glass of water:
You just went 7-8 hours without drinking any water! Even if you don’t feel thirsty, your body probably is.
Here’s a challenge for you: fill up a bottle or a glass of water the night before and drink the water first thing in the morning, before you’ve even had a cup of coffee. Water hydrates you, helps your body flush out toxins, gives your brain fuel, and will give you energy.
3. Make the bed:
I will admit this is HARD for me and I don’t always do it. But there is nothing like getting into a clean and organized bedroom at night when it’s time to sleep. I promise it reduces stress and helps with quality sleep.
Making the bed also gives you momentum to get other tasks done and you’re more likely to keep going and keep checking things off your to-do list.
4. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea:
Once you’ve replenished your system with a glass of water, feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. But rather than stealing sips from your mug while you try to accomplish other tasks, take time to really enjoy your beverage. You can also add in some deep breathing for an even more relaxing way to prepare for the day ahead.
5. Journal:
Before you roll your eyes, let me tell you this is my favorite part of the day. This habit has been one of the most transformational habits I’ve ever implemented.
It helps clear my mind and it puts me in such a positive mood after I’ve finished.
I typically journal about my big annual goals, challenges I am facing, what I am grateful for, affirmations, ideas, visions, etc.
There is no right or wrong way to journal, just write! And practicing gratitude while journaling is a great way to start the day and get your mindset in the right place.
If you wake up stressed and dreading the day, this is perfect for you. Taking the time to write out some thoughts, your goals, or your to do list helps declutter your mind because you put those thoughts on to paper. You feel so much better after just by spending some time doing this.
6. Stretch:
Spending a few minutes at the start of your day breathing a little deeper and doing a full body stretch to wake everything up feels so good! You don’t move your body much while you’re sleeping, which means blood is not circulating as efficiently. Stretching gets your blood flowing and can help you avoid injury by improving your range of motion. Not to mention great for your immune system and heart health!
Any sort of morning exercises are a great way to kickstart your day, lower your blood pressure and spend some time taking care of yourself. And don’t forget to focus on your breath as you’re doing these exercises which can put you in a calm, meditative state before you start your day.
7. Write down your big 3 for the day:
What 3 things do you need to get done today? These 3 tasks need to be your biggest priorities for the day to help move you closer to your long term goals.
For example, one of my client’s big 3 looked like this today:
- Eat a healthy breakfast (eggs, avocado, sourdough bread)
- Exercise for 30 minutes from 2-2:30 (YouTube video)
- Meal plan for the next day at 7:00 PM
Writing down her big 3 also serves as a reminder for her to not skip breakfast, complete her 30 minute exercise session and meal plan because when you write down your big 3 goals, you put them in the forefront of your mind.
The goal of your big 3 tasks should keep you in alignment with what’s most important for you. Whether that’s to eat breakfast, put some sunscreen, meal prep, create a YouTube channel, it doesn’t matter! Successful people always have a plan and they stick to it.
8. Do your skincare routine and get dressed:
My skincare routine is a sacred time for me. This is the time where I can go into the bathroom, shut the door and apply my serums, moisturizer and sunscreen. I love taking care of my skin and prioritizing what is important to me because it makes me feel good and it helps set the tone for the rest of the day.
9. Prepare a nutritious breakfast:
Starting your day with a delicious and nutritious breakfast is another great way to set yourself up for success.
For some fantastic breakfast ideas, check out these posts:
- Low Carb Breakfast Recipes
- High Protein Oatmeal Recipe
- Pre-Workout Breakfast Ideas
- High Protein French Toast Recipe
10. Positive affirmations:
Hype yourself up for whatever you have planned for the day by saying a few positive affirmations out loud. Look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself of your strengths and positive qualities. You might feel silly at first, but positive affirmations are powerful confidence boosters.
What would your life look like if you took an extra 10 or 20 minutes to start your day off right? If you make these small tweaks and spend a little time creating a healthy morning routine that consists of breathing, moving, and prioritizing, you’ll feel more excited and energized as you enter your day. You don’t need to wake up early, you just need to be more intentional with the time you have. These tiny tweaks to your morning routine can make a HUGE difference!
Want some homework? Write down 3-5 things you would like to do in your morning that feels like the ultimate self care routine – choose habits that will improve your mood and energy drastically.
Take a few minutes to reflect on what works best for you and start trickling these habits in slowly and gradually over time. Remember, when you win the morning, you win the day!
What is a daily habit you do that’s made all the difference? Let me know on IG!