The Importance of a Morning Routine

You’ve hit the snooze button too many times, and now you’re rushing to work. Maybe this rush also forced you to skip your morning coffee. Whether this is a scheduled habit or an inconsistent behavior, we can all agree that it’s never fun to start the day in a hurry. In fact, starting your day by feeling rushed affects how the rest of your day plays out. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to catch up?

How your morning begins will set the tone for the entire day. By controlling how we start our morning, we have better control of how the rest of our schedule will look. You don’t have to be an early bird, but having a consistent morning routine is essential for a productive and peaceful day.

The Benefits of a Morning Routine

Aside from not feeling rushed, having a morning routine can help you have a more effective, productive and intentional day. By taking charge of your morning, you’re taking charge of your schedule — rather than letting your schedule control you.

Forbes mentions that a successful and consistent morning routine will give you more time to focus on your goals and give you more energy, mindfulness, and strength throughout the day.

A consistent morning routine can also improve your relationships. When you feel stressed or rushed, it can often affect those closest to you. Taking the time to ease into your day will help you feel more relaxed and better able to connect with loved ones.

How to Get Started

Consistency is key to having a great morning routine. As tempting as it may be, don’t hit snooze on your alarm clock. You don’t have to wake up at 4 am every morning, but allowing yourself to take time to get out of bed — rather than rushing — really makes a difference. 

One trick is to place your alarm clock across the room. It’s much easier to snooze your alarm when it’s next to your bed than crossing the room to shut it off.

Start your day off right with a healthy breakfast. You don’t have to feast every morning, but eat plenty of protein and nutritional foods. Research shows that by eating a stable breakfast every morning, you’ll have more energy than those who choose to wait for lunch.

Start the day off by stretching and engaging your body in exercise. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shows that  you can be more creative and productive for up to two hours after exercising. You can also take the time to practice mindfulness by meditating or praying. Grounding yourself in the present will set the tone for a peaceful day, and you’ll be more resilient to whatever comes your way.

Forbes also suggests reading personal development material, journaling or practicing gratitude as beneficial activities to add to your morning routine. These activities stimulate your mind and help you prepare for the day ahead.

“Decision fatigue” is one factor that can deplete our energy throughout the day. Medical News Today defines this process as exhaustion from making too many decisions, affecting the quality of follow-up decisions.

If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, prepare for your day the night ahead. Set your clothes out or pre-make your coffee. Doing these steps ahead of time will help you be more productive and energetic in the morning.

You don’t have to be a morning person to have a healthy morning routine. You can find a time, schedule and activities that work best for you. Take the additional time to ease into your morning rather than feeling rushed as you tackle the day ahead. A consistent morning routine will help you be more productive, creative and content in life.

‍