What is the Best Morning Routine?

Mornings can be tough, especially if you're someone who struggles to get out of bed. 

Having a solid morning routine can make a world of difference between having a tough day or having a great day. Granted, it's not a cure that will guarantee a lifetime of perfect days. 

We're here to offer some advice on why a morning routine can change your life, what should be included in your morning routine checklist, and how you can start your day positively with your established routine. 

Why a Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

It might sound a big dramatic to claim that a morning routine can change your life. Is doing the same thing every morning really going to help that much? 

The answer is yes! According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, developing a morning routine can boost energy, productivity, and positivity. Feeling rushed in the morning can easily set the tone for your day. Starting the day off stressed can make you feel stressed for the rest of your day. 

Personally, I have a morning routine for Monday through Friday. On the weekends, I let myself do whatever! My weekday morning routine also changes depending on if I'm working from home or going into the office. 

It's all about balance. Think about what you hope to accomplish in the mornings, how long it usually takes you to get ready, and when you realistically can wake up without feeling rushed. It's also important to note that waking up around the same time every day can help you develop really consistent sleeping habits. 

Hopefully, we've convinced you that waking up a little bit earlier in the mornings has its benefits. Now, let's talk about what your morning routine should include to start you on the right foot. 

What is the Best Morning Routine Checklist?

Before we get into what the best morning routine checklist looks like, we want to remind you that everyone's morning routines are going to look a little different. What ends up going into your routine will depend on what you think is realistic and what fits with your schedule. 

We've divided what makes the best morning routine checklist into staples and nice-to-haves. The staples are things you 100% should be including in your checklist to set you up for success in your day. The nice-to-haves are things you could include but can leave out if you don't have the time in your schedule. 

Staples

These items for your checklist are what we think you absolutely should be incorporating into your morning routines. They help set you up for success to conquer your day (these are not in order, feel free to work them into your morning however you see fit):

• Drink water. It's recommended you start your day drinking a full glass of water. I'll be honest and say I use a reusable water bottle and it's not expected you'll drink a full water bottle's worth of water in the morning. Instead, make an effort to drink at least half your water bottle before you turn to coffee or energy drinks. 
• Eat a healthy breakfast. Even if it's not "healthy", eating breakfast should be part of your morning routine. Experts weren't lying when they said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast starts your metabolism and fuels your mind and body to tackle what's ahead of you. It doesn't have to be a full spread of eggs, bacon, toast etc. Getting any kind of food into your body first thing is what's most important.
• Make your bed. It might seem silly but making your bed will make you feel more put together in the morning. Especially if you're working or studying from home, having a clean space will help you be more productive and feel less cluttered. It really doesn't take that much extra time to do. Plus, you'll be coming home to a made bed at the end of the day! 
• Plan for the day ahead. Some of this work can also be done the night before. Think about what you have scheduled for the day. Are you packing lunch? Do you think you'll want a snack? Do you have your laptop or other materials you need for work/school? Are you going to a workout class? Go through what you have planned for the day and pack everything you'll need. 

Nice-to-Haves

These items are checklist items that are nice to add if you have time to complete them. You might also feel inspired by these and think of other checklist items you want to add: 

• Stretch/workout. Moving your body in the morning is a great way to feel ready to tackle what's ahead. It doesn't have to be a full-blown workout (although I know some people prefer to do full workouts in the morning). Taking 10-15 minutes to stretch your body is a really powerful way to wake up and feel empowered to take on the day. 
• Journal. Journaling is another great way to start your day. You could write down what you're grateful for, any anxieties or stressors you think might hit you throughout the day, or what you're currently feeling. 
• Set positive intentions. A great way to start the day off right is to set positive intentions that will guide your day. Your intention could be to not let anything bother you, to make someone smile, to listen to your playlist, or anything else that aligns with how you want your day to go. 
• Read. Reading is a great way to get your mind running. Make sure if you do decide to add this checklist that you're reading something that brings you joy. Reading the news might not be the best way to start your day off on the right foot. 

There are plenty of other things you can add to your morning checklist! It all depends on what works with your schedule and what makes you feel at ease. 

How Can You Make Your Day Happier? 

At the end of the day, we try to set morning routines with the hope that it will make our day happier. 

There are a few other suggestions we have that don't really fit into a checklist, but can make your day happier.

First, how you wake up can set your mood for the day. We suggest setting an alarm sound that doesn't jar you awake. It can also help to set the same sound for all your alarms if you don't wake up at the same time everyday. Make sure to set your alarm early enough in the morning that you have time to accomplish your morning checklist without feeling rushed. 

Second, incorporate moments throughout your day that spark joy. This could be something you do at any point in the day. This is especially helpful when you know you have a busy or stressful day ahead of you. This can be as simple as buying your favorite dessert so you have a sweet treat to look forward to when the day is over. 

Third, establish good sleeping habits. Waking up and going to bed around the same time everyday can really make a difference in your overall mood. Obviously, there will be things that come up that prevent you from going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday. That's totally fine! Having a primarily steady sleep schedule is what's most important. 

Finally, be kind to yourself. There will be days where you can't accomplish everything on your morning checklist, or you didn't sleep well, or it's gray outside and you don't want to do anything. Not everyday can be perfect. There will be days that you feel down or out-of-sorts. Be kind to yourself when you feel like you're slacking and remember you're human. You can't be expected to be on-top of everything 100% of the time. Be proud of yourself for what you did accomplish (even if that's just getting out of bed). 

Make Your Perfect Daily Routine

Now, it's your turn to make a morning routine checklist. We hope that some of these suggestions help you build the perfect routine. 

Need inspiration to stick to your routine? Check out these CONQUERing fidget products that can serve as reminders to do your checklist and seek out joy in your day. 

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