Ideal Morning Routine

Crafting Your Ideal Morning Routine in 5 Manageable Steps

A Guide From A Therapist Who’s Working On It Too

In the hustle and bustle of today, it's easy to overlook the importance of starting your day mindfully and productively. As a therapist, I've seen how a well-structured morning routine can set the tone for a more balanced and fulfilling day, both for my clients and for myself. In this blog post, I'll guide you through 5 manageable steps to get your day started off on the right foot.

1. Wake Up Early:

Hear me out, I don’t mean you need to wake up at 3, 4 or 5am, like some social media influencers will try to tell you. I just mean practice setting your alarm with enough time to give yourself a full morning, and try not to hit the snooze button multiple times (like I am often guilty of!) This will allow you to ease into your day without feeling rushed. If this is hard to do, start by setting your alarm a bit earlier each day until you find a wake-up time that suits you.

2. Delay Screen Time:

I know it’s so easy to roll over, grab your phone, and begin scrolling. Take a moment to think - how does that habit make me feel? For me, seeing the notifications, emails, and news alerts often takes me from sleepy to anxious real quick. Instead, turn off your alarm and put your phone back down. Take a few minutes to tune in and set your intentions for the day. How do you currently feel? How do you want to feel? What do you hope to accomplish today? This simple practice can help you align your actions with your goals and cultivate a positive mindset. 

3. Meditation or Gratitude Practice:

Meditation is a powerful way to cultivate self-awareness and reduce stress. Dedicate a few minutes each morning to focusing on your breath, letting go of racing thoughts, and centering yourself for the day ahead. If mindfulness isn’t your thing (hey I get it, it’s not really my thing either), then try a gratitude practice. Reflect on three things you're grateful for. Neither of these exercises should take more than a few minutes, yet both can radically shift your mindset toward positivity and appreciation.

4. Hydrate, Nourish, Move:

If you haven’t done this already, it’s officially time to do the hard thing - get up. Use the momentum of getting out of bed to move your body a little more. You don’t need to do a full workout, unless you like doing that first thing! If so, fantastic, go get it done! If not, try a gentler form of movement, like a light yoga sequence, some stretching, or a brisk walk. No matter the intensity, movement can invigorate your body and release endorphins, improving mood. After that, move to rehydrating and fueling your body. Drinking a glass of water and eating a balanced breakfast can boost your energy levels and give you focus for the day ahead. 

5. Plan and Organize:

Last but not least, take a moment to review your schedule and tasks for the day. If you don’t already have one, create a to-do list with realistic tasks and goals so you can stay organized and reduce overwhelm. Identify the most important task or goal for the day and tackle it first. This helps you conquer your biggest challenge when your energy and focus are at their peak.

Creating a morning routine that addresses multiple facets of your well-being (i.e. both physical health and mental health) is a powerful tool to improve your day. I encourage you to customize your morning routine to fit your unique needs and preferences. As I clearly mentioned, setting up my ideal morning routine is something I am also working on, so trust me when I say this will take time and will likely never be “perfect.” Don’t forget that even in the process of improving your routine, you are still ensuring that you are better equipped to navigate the challenges of daily life and enjoy a more fulfilling and balanced existence.