Let’s start with the facts. Your morning routine, aka the things you do right after waking up in the morning, sets the tone for the rest of your day. Realizing your favorite shirt is at the cleaners, pouring milk into your cereal only to realize the carton is empty, and getting to the station just as your train pulls away are major downers. You begin to feel the black rain cloud hanging over your head gently sprinkling little annoyances… and it seems to continue all day long. Negative energy and the corresponding emotions snowball as time goes by. By noon, there is the possibility you will have one of the most awful days ever. At this point, it takes a lot of mental and emotional energy to shrug off the yucky feelings and get yourself back on a positive track. 

What if you could help prevent your day from becoming a downward spiral into a negative abyss? The good news is that you can and it does not take a metric ton of time and work to get your day off to a good start. Intentionally creating a morning routine that aligns with your goals and values can boost productivity, reduce stress, and allow you to feel more in control of your time. Whether you’re an executive, a parent, a full-time student, or a person looking to curb the chaos in life, here’s a guide to add more ease into the start of your day.

1. Start the Night Before

One of the first things I work with my clients on is a mindset shift that your day begins after dinner. Why? Because this is prime time to reset your space to support you for another day. An easy morning begins the evening before. Prepare for the next day by:

• Reviewing your schedule: This will help you remember all of the things you need to assist you as you complete your tasks and events.
• Setting out essentials: Lay out your outfit of the day, prepare lunches, pack your gym bag, and organize work materials.
• Unwind your mind: Indulge in bedtime activities to help you sleep well, such as reading, meditating, journaling, limiting screen time, taking a bath, or sipping herbal tea.

When you eliminate morning decisions or frantic expeditions throughout the house to find your keys, you’re less likely to feel rushed or overwhelmed. You’ll be more confident, more relaxed, and more ready for whatever comes your way. I consider this step an essential part of a morning routine.

2. Wake Up at a Consistent Time

Consistency is key to building any habit and habits can be amazing tools in making your life easier. Choose a wake-up time that works for your lifestyle and stick to it, even on weekends. A regular wake-up time helps regulate your internal clock, making it easier to get out of bed and feel energized.

3. Hydrate and Nourish Your Body

After hours of sleep, your body needs hydration and fuel. Start your day with a glass of water to rehydrate, and follow up with a nutritious breakfast. Skipping breakfast, loading up on sugar, or relying on caffeine alone can leave you feeling sluggish later.

4. Incorporate Movement

A little bit of exercise in the morning can boost your mood and increase focus for the day. You don’t need to commit to a high intensity, hour-long workout. Just 5 minutes of gentle movement, like stretching, yoga, or walking can be beneficial. Think of it as a quick way to get the kinks out of your muscles and joints after laying down for so many hours.

5. Set Aside Time for Mindfulness

Mindfulness does not mean sitting twisted like a pretzel for at least 30 minutes while chanting and trying to keep your mind clear. It means you are paying attention to what you are doing, how you are doing it, and how it makes you feel. Surprisingly, just a few moments of mindfulness can help you start your day with clarity. Try these simple practices:

• Concentrate on getting your mouth really clean while brushing your teeth
• Focus on tasting your food while you are eating breakfast
• Journal 2-3 sentences about your goals, gratitude, or your desires for the day

Use this time to be in the moment and enjoy it.

6. Limit Distractions

Avoid diving into social media, listening to the news, or checking your emails as soon as you wake up. These activities can push you into a vortex that steals your time and piles on heaps of stress. Instead, keep your focus on your priorities, engaging with yourself and your family before heading into the outside world. There will be enough demands competing for your time as the day continues. Create a morning routine which protects this little bit of your day to give yourself some much needed peace.

7. Tackle a Priority Task Early

Most of the time, we start the day knowing there is at least one task that must get done. After giving yourself a calm beginning, it’s time to give yourself another gift. Set yourself up with a small win by completing a high-priority task first thing. Procrastinating is going to bring down your vibe. Whether it’s working on a professional or personal project, making progress early can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. 

8. Adapt and Refine Your Morning Routine

Your ideal morning routine may take some time to develop. Being flexible and willing to experiment with different elements gives you the opportunity to discover what works best for you. There’s no one right way to begin your day. Think of trying on clothes at a store. It takes a little time and effort to find what fits you best.

Need Some Inspiration?

Want to try something new, but don’t know where to start? The O2E Savvy Squad has you covered. Join us for Morning Magic, a new 45-minute group coaching session every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:45am. We come together to try different pieces of a morning routine including; guided meditation, journaling, affirmations, breathwork, a silent moment and more. It’s a safe, judgement-free zone to try out which practices feel best for you.

On Saturdays, join Mindful Morning at 6:45am until 8:30am. During this group session, we combine a guided morning routine with focused, deep work. For the first 45 minutes, we will rotate through practicing parts of a morning routine. Then, the next hour will be spent co-working. We start by sharing a brief description of our project, then we spend 20 minutes on our activity. At the end of the sprint, we share our progress and repeat working for an additional 20 minutes. It’s a wonderful way to start your weekend by completing housework, decluttering, or a bit of work on a project. After the session, you have the entire day to enjoy spending time doing the activities that light you up with the people you love. 

You Deserve A Serene Start

Creating a morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on small, intentional habits that align with your goals, you can start each day feeling empowered and prepared. Remember, it’s about progress. Perfection is completely overrated. Start with one or two practices that appeal to you and build from there. It’s possible to have calm mornings where you leave your home with a spring in your step. You deserve nothing less!