Morning Routines to Kickstart a Successful Workday

We all aspire to have incredible, productive, healthy days. Whether you’re working Monday through Friday, or a weekend hustler, the idealistic day is in your sights. The number one way to set yourself up for your best possible day is by having a strong, personalized morning routine. Starting your day off right creates momentum to inspire and drive you through the rest of your day. Turning healthy habits into a routine creates a daily habit, meaning healthy tasks will take less thought and effort to complete (which is perfect for days where your self-discipline is wearing thin). In this blog we’ll cover practical tips and ideas for crafting your best morning routine and making it stick.

1. Start with a Good Night’s Sleep

This one may seem obvious, but many of us choose to ignore it on a daily basis. Getting a good night’s sleep allows your body to rest, recharge, process the previous day, and prepare for the day ahead. Whether you’re slammed with work or daily life, it can be difficult to carve out enough time for sleep. While 7-9 hours of sleep is ideal, start where you are and build on it. If you consistently find yourself staying up and only leaving six hours for sleep, start increasing your sleep time by 15 or 30 minutes. Do that for a week, and see how it goes then choose to continue with the existing goal or increase your sleep time by another 15-30 minutes the next week. 

2. Wake Up with Intention

Start by reevaluating your alarm. The goal is to get out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off. If you find yourself setting multiple alarms, reaching for the snooze button, or waking up groggy, a more natural way to wake up could be the solution. With this Sunrise Alarm Clock, the light in the room gradually brightens, simulating a natural sunrise that results in a calm and refreshing wakeup. Once you’re up, center yourself with a few deep breaths and stretches. As you begin getting ready, think of three things you’re grateful for to start the workday in a positive mindset. 

3. Fuel Your Body and Mind

Consider how you’re currently hydrating and nourishing your body to start your day. Look for ways you can incorporate drinking water and a healthy breakfast. This could mean demonstrating selfcare by carrying a tumbler of water and sipping it as you get ready, or even chugging a bottle of water before you move onto the next step. If you’re not a breakfast person, or don’t have time for a meal in the morning, try making coffee at home in a travel mug and substituting creamer with a protein shake. You may also work in a workout before your workday, there are a variety of quick exercise routines available on sites like Pinterest.

4. Plan and Prioritize Your Day

Depending on your schedule and personal preference, this step can be completed in the morning or the night before. Review your schedule and goals for the day. A planner or digital download is a great tool for prioritizing tasks and keeping track of your schedule. Make note of any meetings or appointments, and the top six things you need to accomplish. This will help you adjust if your day becomes hectic. Keep your expectations of what you’ll accomplish during the day realistic, overwhelming yourself with unreachable expectations lowers productivity and discourages progress. These tips can also be applied to your workday.

5. Minimize Morning Distractions

Avoid mindless activities like aimless scrolling on social media. Pointless activities lower your momentum and throw off your schedule. If you need to complete a task, like checking your email, practice time management by giving yourself a limited amount of time to complete the task. 

6. Create a Morning Ritual That Works for You

Customizing your routine is the most important part of the process. Everyone is different and routines are not one-size-fits-all. Start by listing the tasks you need to and want to incorporate into your morning. Next, block the amount of time you have for your morning routine, then figure out the order that flows best for you. This is a learning process and effective time management takes practice, experiment and be curious about what works best for you.

Key takeaway

Remember, One of the hardest parts of creating a successful morning routine is giving yourself time to make a change and grace when it isn’t perfect. The goal is to create a routine that is sustainable. Our bodies and minds need time to adjust and make real change. That’s why so many of us begin rigorous routines to change our sleep, exercise, diet, etc, and fall off the wagon in a matter of days or weeks. Start small and build on changes to maintain them. There will be days where your routine isn’t maintained perfectly. That is where giving yourself grace comes in. Small progress is still progress. Showing yourself compassion for being human is more productive in the long run. Small changes that fit your schedule, your goals, and your lifestyle are the secret to success. Planning a personalized routine that increases sleep, helps you wake with intention, fuels your body and mind, and minimizes distractions, your ready to start improving your productivity with a successful morning routine. What’s your go-to morning routine? Share in the comments!