Creating a Healthy Morning Routine That Sticks

The number of demands upon our attention is ever-increasing, and it’s sometimes hard to keep track of our lives. Reminders, alarms, and calendars that are updated meticulously often help to keep us on track, though sometimes the ease of access to distractions, such as social media, makes staying on task more difficult. It’s easy for your day to be upended by an ill-timed doom-scrolling session.

One way to at least make sure that you have consistency and a way to get yourself going in the morning is to have a morning routine. This article will dig into the ins and outs of a morning routine, and why you could use a few simple tweaks to help your day progress smoothly.

Why a Morning Routine is a Game Changer

Most people could use having a well-considered morning routine. You likely have a routine already, but it may not be working for you. We all have habits we lean on and that give our lives a sense of structure and regularity. Perhaps you’ve stumbled into these habits, but they aren’t effective or helpful.

A morning routine, at least as we’re defining it here, refers to a set of intentional practices that you set in motion to get your day started. These habits can vary in terms of what they are, their duration, and why you’ve put them in place. However, one of the key things about a morning routine is that it’s intentional, and that intention is geared toward getting the best start to your day possible.

A morning routine is a game changer because a consistent and intentional start to the day significantly impacts your mental clarity, productivity, and sense of well-being. Your routine can help by setting a positive tone for the rest of the day, allowing you to make the most of your time and get things done quickly by helping you prioritize well. Some morning routines can include creativity-stimulating activities such as meditation or journaling.

Not only can a morning routine improve productivity as well as your mental well-being, but a healthy morning routine can contain elements that promote your physical well-being, too. Eating a full and healthy breakfast, drinking water, and getting exercise are all ways to benefit your health through simple daily practices. These practices can boost your energy, grounding you and preparing you for the day ahead.

Whatever shape your morning routine takes, it can be geared to meet your various needs such as being inspired and energized to tackle your day with zest. Your morning routine could provide time for you to better yourself, such as creating time to read and pray through Scripture, or by making time to learn skills that can enhance your growth as a person.

Your routine should improve your daily life and meet your unique needs. You may need to try a few different routines to see what works best for you and your lifestyle.

Elements of a Healthy Morning Routine

Your morning routine is your own, so don’t worry too much if it doesn’t look or sound like your friend’s or other loved one’s routine. Many people derail themselves by wanting the exact same routine as someone else. Keep in mind that the other person has a different set of requirements, such as dietary and other needs. There may be some elements in common between you and other people, but you need to make your routine your own.

As you consider putting together your morning routine, some of the elements that you could incorporate into your routine could include some of the following:

Practice gratitude

Spend some time reflecting on what you’re grateful for in your life, whether it’s your health, job, friends, family, home, your relationship with the Lord, or the community that surrounds you.

Hydrate yourself

You can start your day with a full glass of water. Other people prefer tea or coffee, but the idea is to hydrate first thing in the morning and throughout the day. Water is great because it doesn’t carry issues like the caffeine found in coffee and teas.

Exercise

Take some time to engage in a physical activity like running, rowing, yoga, dancing, stretching, taking a short walk, or cycling. You can take time to practice deep breathing or mindfulness to focus on the present. You can also choose to just spend time outside in a garden or looking out at the water. Choose whatever is convenient for you and that you enjoy doing.

Nourishment

Get a balanced breakfast that will help to fuel your body for the day ahead. That could include green tea, eggs, nuts, or whole toast with toppings, for instance.

Planning and goal setting

You can take some moments to look over your day and take the time to set some goals and priorities for the day.

Reading or learning

Expanding your horizons through reading a blog, article, or book can be a helpful daily practice, especially if the content is light, informative, creative, and encouraging. You can also spend time journaling, which helps you to process your emotions and thoughts, helping you gain insight into yourself. You can read Scripture and pray over your day, ending your routine with a verse you’ll take with you into the day.

These and other elements can form part of your morning routine. The important part is to craft a routine that works for you and helps to meet your needs. It can take time to refine your routine until you find a good rhythm that works for you. When you do, you’ll become more prepared, enthusiastic, and focused.

How To Make It Stick

When you’ve put together your morning routine, or as you’re in the process of doing so, the key question to ask yourself is, “How will you make it stick?”. A routine that doesn’t work won’t be sustainable or improve your day. As you create your routine, you need to be intentional, allow room to be flexible and adaptable, and be compassionate toward yourself.

Some of the ways to help yourself as you set a morning routine that sticks include:

Setting realistic goals

Your schedule, personality, and energy levels will dictate what you can manage in a morning routine. You know yourself, and it’s important not to overload your routine with a lot of impressive-sounding activities that do nothing for you.

Creating your priorities

Keep your attention on the things you’d want to do, and that would bring you the benefits you’re looking for in a morning routine.

Making a start and starting small

You don’t need to make a big splash to start your journey in making your morning routine. Start small with a routine containing a few basic elements, then add more as you refine your routine.

Making your routine enjoyable

As you create your routine, do the things that bring you joy, not the things that look good on paper. Wherever needed, you can take time to reassess your routine and make any changes that can help you keep things interesting and enjoyable.

Staying flexible

Your routine will take time to settle, and you shouldn’t be hard on yourself when you skip elements or can’t stick to it rigidly. Sometimes your routine needs adjusting to get it just right. Sometimes you just need to make small adjustments like setting your alarm a few minutes earlier each day until you wake up as early as you intend to.

Making it a habit

To get the most out of your morning routine, consistency is key, and that includes performing your routine at the same time so that it’s predictable and not erratic. Making it a habit allows your routine to be sustainable over the long term.

Getting accountability

It’s easy to skip your routine or let things slide if you’re doing it by yourself, especially when things get hard. Having a family member, friend, or an online community that knows your routine and can encourage as well as hold you accountable makes a huge difference in maintaining your routine.

You can also get accountability from a life coach or counselor who can help you create a sustainable morning routine that enhances your well-being without adding stress or pressure. Contact our office if you would like assistance with reaching your goals.