Today we’re talking about morning routines. It’s almost an overdone topic, with everyone and their accountant talking about how much better they feel when they work out and have their green smoothie before five am, but I think it’s gotten out of hand a little bit, don’t you? The claims that come with these morning practices are just a bunch of hooey, and honestly a bit frustrating. They promise that if only you jump out of bed at this ungodly hour and rush to pull your covers up over the duvet then you’re suddenly going to be magically successful and invincible. Please.
I want to take a more grounded approach to this whole thing. Because as cliche as it is, I also believe that morning routines are incredibly important. They help you kick off your day in a unique way, and help shape your mental landscape to take on the world. But they don’t transform you and they won’t make you bulletproof. So what are the real benefits of having a morning routine?
Taking a look at the idea
Keeping up with a morning routine can be really helpful for getting you in the right mindset to take on your day. When you build a repertoire of practices that feed your soul and help you on your way to your goals, you become more productive and positive. Not only that, but you become more confident in your personal identity, because you affirm it and nourish it first thing in the morning, every morning. A morning routine can be sort of a positive brainwashing.
Not only that, but morning routines can be really helpful for those of us who have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. Those of us who would rather sleep in until noon may feel like avoiding this morning routine craze, because it involves knowing when we’re waking up and how much time it’ll take us to be ready for another day. But I’ve found that the more I include the things that encourage and build me up early on in the day, the easier it is to wake up in the first place. Not only that, but the routine aspect of it helps me not have to think so much so early in the morning.
And that’s the other really helpful thing about this morning routine idea, it can really help you build healthy habits that you’re otherwise having trouble sticking to. You schedule it in early on, and then you don’t have to think about working out, for example, later on in the day when you’re all tired after work. Because you’ve already done it. You can just chill and live your life, knowing that you’re making progress on your goals.
Do I have to wake up early?
A lot of people who advocate for morning routines also like to talk about how waking up earlier gives you some sort of edge. I think that’s a bit of a stretch. Listen, there’s no reason to strive for waking up at 5am or whatever unless you truly want or have to be awake at that time. It doesn’t make you smarter or more productive.
The only edge that waking up in the wee hours of the morning gives you is that there are often less distractions during this time. Less people are trying to text you, the kids are still asleep…most of the world is still asleep. But you could easily get this in the late nights too. So I wouldn’t worry about waking up earlier unless it is a personal goal of yours, or you find that there’s something more you want to fit in before your day “really starts”.
Exercise
Another thing that people like to put in their morning routines is a good old fashioned sweat session. I personally find that my days go better when I “do my morning yoga”. I feel more energetic and limber throughout the day, and I also find myself in a better mood, consistently.
Exercise first thing in the morning is a really healthy habit, whether you go out for a run or visit the gym or just do some body exercises in the living room, it definitely kicks off the day in a positive way. Exercise in general is a healthy habit, when done in a responsible way. It isn’t the morning aspect of my exercise that gives me more energy and better range of motion, it’s the fact that I exercise at all. And the same goes for you.
The reason I exercise in the morning is that I don’t really get into it that much. I’ve found movement I enjoy, like yoga and dancing, yes. And I appreciate it’s benefits in my daily life. But I wouldn’t consider it a hobby of mine or something I do for recreation. And I know many of you feel the same way. For the person who doesn’t love exercise, it’s easier to just take it off your plate early on in the day, so you don’t have to agonize over it all day (and so you have less time to talk yourself out of it). It’s for this reason I would encourage you to add in some moderate exercise to your morning routine.
Meditation
Another common (and wonderful) thing to do in the morning is meditate. This is a beautiful practice because it helps calm your mind and aids you in becoming the master of your own thoughts. And it does this independently of when you do it.
However, there are benefits to meditating first thing in the morning that meditating say, during your lunch hour may not give you. Mainly, it helps you get off on the right foot mentally before anything happens in your day. And we all know, those days when you’re “just in a good mood” from the onset tend to play out better.
You’re better able to process information in a positive and realistic way, even challenges, without “catastrophising” everything. And not only that, but meditating is another one of those things that if you don’t find time for in the morning, you might not bother doing at all. I mean, when you’re all stressed and your mind is out of control, who wants to sit in silence with their thoughts? Who even considers it? Exactly. Get out in front of it.
Eat a healthy breakfast
This is definitely a physical one, and is more important for some people than others, but I wanted to cover it anyway. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I know that to be true. How you break your fast often informs your food decisions for the rest of the day, both consciously and subconsciously. But also, your first meal of the day will be breaking your fast, regardless of if it is “breakfast” or at lunchtime.
The reason why I think having a healthy breakfast is important though, is because it helps you fuel the first half of your day. If you’re going to work or getting errands done or visiting your grandmother, the point is you want to be able to jump in with both feet and get stuff done. You can’t do that if you’re hungry or feeling sluggish, or if you’re on a sugar high and then crash.
Having a substantial breakfast with nutrients in it is important for giving your day all you can. For best results, try for a balanced meal with fats and protein, and some complex carbohydrates, and include some nutrient bombs like fruits and vegetables. These things will keep you fuller for longer, and help sustain your energy levels so that you can focus better.
Work on a goal
Another thing that is awesome to do first thing in the morning is to put some effort into your latest project. Maybe that’s a book you’re writing or some research you’re doing or you’re tinkering with the lawnmower. The point is, whatever thing you’re trying to make progress with, bang out at least a few minutes.
This gives you a feeling of accomplishment first thing in the day, which emotionally carries over to your other endeavors pretty easily. It gives you more confidence and pride in who you are and where you’re at in life, without even having to do a lot.
This is also a good practice in order to make steady progress to the things you care about, especially if you have problems with your follow-through. It makes these things a habit, instead of an option, and that’s the best you can get when it comes to mastering something. You want to eat, sleep and breathe this new skill, until you’ve brought it into fruition to your liking.
There aren’t that many better feelings than when you’re making consistent progress towards your goals, and doing so first thing in the morning helps you keep that “I did something good feeling” all throughout the day. I’d reccommed giving it a try!
Have weird and silly fun
Finally, I want to suggest this idea as something to add into your morning routine: have a ball. Seriously. All of these other ideas and suggestions have been about taking care of yourself and increasing your productivity, etc. And all that’s great and everything, but you need to nurture your soul too.
In the morning before you interact with anyone else is the best time to do this. You can explore all of those funny idiosyncracies that make you different from everyone else, that other people might not want to ride along with you for. You can watch those conspiracy theory documentaries and dance to that techno music or whatever makes you sparkle inside, without having to worry about other people’s opinions about it.
And when you do these sorts of things everyday, first thing in the morning, prioritizing them, what you’re really doing is prioritizing yourself. Affirming that you as an individual do matter, and letting yourself grow and shine. This is something that you can bring out into the world and inspire the most broken of people with, this inner confidence, this spark. You will be happier and you will make the world a better place.
Takeaway
So wake up a little earlier than normal. Take care of yourself and nurture who you are and who you are becoming. Grow into a whole new person, if you want to. But don’t take this idea of a morning routine too seriously. Play around with it, take what works, and leave what doesn’t. But whatever you do, don’t let your life and your soul go on autopilot. It’s time to show up in our lives, and as long as your morning routine helps you do that, embrace it!
