By Rachel
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Mornings are one of my favorite times of the day. I love getting up when the world is quiet and and undisturbed by the hustle of the day. There is something so serene and sacred, knowing that half the world is still asleep but you are not. I know not everyone feels this way. For lots of people mornings are dreaded. Maybe you’re one of those people. You hate getting up early and absolutely dread those early morning hours. I get it. Mornings aren’t for everyone. Maybe you hate getting up early but have no choice due to your work or family. Or maybe you love getting up early and do it everyday. Or maybe you hate mornings but wish you didn’t. Whatever category you fall into, I believe everyone can benefit from having a morning routine. Routine can help you start each day feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day has for you. A good morning routine will leave you feeling accomplished and rested before the real hustle of the day even begins. But starting one can feel daunting. Most of you have probably watched at least one of those Youtube videos before labeled something like “My 5am morning routine”. And if you aren’t a morning person you probably felt a little discouraged after watching it. Everything in those videos is so picturesque and aesthetic, and the girl in the video looks much too happy at 5am. If this is you let me encourage you a little.
- You don’t have to get up at 5 to have a good and productive morning routine.
- Your routine does not have to look like everyone else’s. You don’t have to go to the gym at 5:15 everyday and answer a dozen emails before 8am.
- A good morning routine is not a to do list! I think a lot of people get confused on this one. Your morning routine should not be a part of your work day. It should be what gears you up and gets you ready before the work day starts. Make it something you love and want to do and don’t worry about checking off a bunch of boxes.
Creating a morning routine is not about making your life look like the life of that girl in a video you watched, or comparing it to anyone else. It’s about finding out what works for you and makes you feel energized and ready for the day. This will look different for everyone and that is ok. To start I have found that a good morning will consist of doing things that will benefit your mind, body and spirit. All three of these things are essential to getting you through the day so why would you not make sure to take care of them first thing? In this post I’ll take you through what I have found makes a good routine that benefits the mind, body and spirit, and will help you hopefully create one of your own that works for you. So let’s get started.
Step 1. Set The Atmosphere.
The first thing to do when creating a routine is to think of something that will set the atmosphere for the morning. For me scents are a big deal. I like starting my mornings with diffusing essential oils. If I’m feeling a little more sleepy on a particular day I’ll diffuse lemon or something that will boost my energy. If sleepiness is not an issue, I’ll just choose a scent I love, creating an atmosphere I want to be in. This helps set a positive tone for the morning.
Find my diffuser here.
Music is also a good way to set the atmosphere. I generally like to start my day listening to worship music. This not only creates a peaceful atmosphere, but it also helps me start the day focusing on Christ. I find that the days I choose to focus on God first, helps the rest of the day go smoothly, and are generally better days.
Another way to set the atmosphere could be to open your window blinds and let some light in. Especially if your not a morning person, letting natural light in can help wake you up and lets your body know it’s time to get up.
Whatever it is, find something you love that will motivate to be awake. It could be diffusing oils, lighting a candle, playing music, making a cup of coffee, ect. Especially if you’re not a morning person, starting the day off with something you love really helps set the tone for the rest of your routine and day in general.
Step 2. Make Your Bed.
I know it may sound silly, but honestly it’s so good for your work ethic the rest of the day! It’s a simple task, but it makes you feel like you accomplished something and motivates you to do more. It also makes your room feel that much more put together. The bed is typically the focal point of a bedroom so if it’s made, even if the rest of the room is a mess it really does make your room feel better and less messy. Being awake in the morning also just feels much more bearable if you have a clean space to start your day in.
Step 3. Spend Some Time with God.
As a follower of Jesus this one is especially important to me. Not only does God deserve my attention at the beginning of the day, but spending time with him also helps me set my focus on what is important. If I’m not mindful about it I can easily become overwhelmed and anxious about the amount of things I have scheduled for the day. But taking time to stop and focus my heart and mind on God in the morning really sets me up for the rest of the day knowing that he’s got me and will get me through whatever the day has to offer.
Spending time with God can look several different ways, but I suggest reading the Bible, or a devotional, praying, and journaling. If reading the Bible is new to you I suggest starting with one of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Or if you’re wanting to use a devotional I highly suggest Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It’s has a devotional for every day with a few short scripture references to read. The devotionals are pretty short too so they’re really good if you’re crunched on time in the mornings.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time in your morning I still highly recommend taking at least a couple minutes to spend time with God. Even if all it looks like somedays is pulling up your Bible app and reading the verse of the day, It can really be a game changer on how the rest of your day goes.
Step 4. Get Dressed.
Getting dressed can really motivate you to get going in the morning. When your in your pajamas it feels like it’s still bedtime. You’re in the clothes you slept in so continuing to sleep or feel tired is only natural. Changing into whatever your going to wear for the day as early as possible will help set you up for a productive day. Even if you work from home and just really love the comfort of your pajamas, I would suggest at least changing into a new pair and fixing your hair. This gives you a fresh start and helps shake off any lazy or sleepy feelings from the night before.
Step 5. Do Something Active.
Get your body moving. This is especially gonna be important if you have a hard time feeling awake in the mornings. Getting your body moving will help you wake up and send signals to your body that sleep time is over. This could look like working out, but it doesn’t have to. It could look like light yoga or stretching, taking a walk, playing with a pet, stepping outside to watch the sunrise. Anything that gets your body moving even just a little.
Step 6. Drink Water & Eat Something.
I know everyone tells you this, but that’s because it’s true! If you don’t believe me just try it. I feel so much physically better and awake on mornings that I am super intentional about drinking water and eating. I recommend drinking one, preferably two glasses of water within the first hour you’re awake. If you are not a water person and don’t enjoy drinking it, try rewarding yourself with a coffee or another beverage you prefer after you’ve had a glass.
Eating in the morning is also important. If your not a big breakfast person that’s ok. I don’t like eating much in the mornings either. But I do suggest eating at least a little something so that your body is not running on empty. Even if it’s just a small piece of fruit or a granola bar. It can make a big difference. Or if you enjoy making a big breakfast and it energizes you then make that a part of your routine!
Now that we’ve gone through these steps, it’s time to put your own routine together! Remember that your routine does not have to be a copy and paste of what I wrote. These are just elements that I have found make a good morning for myself and I believe they can help you form your routine as well. Also keep in mind that a morning routine shouldn’t stress you out. It’s meant to be a relaxing start to your day so don’t try to put too many to do check lists in your routine, those can come later in the day but for now this is a time for you.
To give you more of a picture of how to put these steps into action let me take you through my routine on an average day.
My Typical Morning Routine.
On a typical work day I wake up anywhere between 5 & 5:30. I do this because I often have to leave at 6:45 so I want to give myself enough time to enjoy my morning before work. I get up, start on my first cup of water, and fill my diffuser with whatever scent I’m feeling that day, and make the bed. (Here’sI then either stretch or do a yoga workout depending on the day and how much time I have. This is also when I typically start my worship playlist. After I workout I’ll shower. After I shower it’s time for my quiet time with Jesus. I grab my water, bible and journal and sometimes a little something to eat (usually granola or fruit) and spend some time in scripture. After I’ve finished my quite time It’s time to start getting ready for the day, so I get dressed and do my hair. And that’s about it!
Some days I have to leave the house at 6:45 so I have to be mindful about time if I want to get all of that done. But other days I don’t have to work early in the mornings. On those days I may get up a little later and typically try to have myself dressed and completely ready for the day by 8am. Then I’ll start on housework, errands or whatever the agenda for the day happens to be.
So that’s it! that’s how I start my morning most days! As you start making plans for your own routine just remember that your morning routine is not a to do list! Don’t feel like you have to do every step exactly the same everyday. Think of it more like a general pattern that can adapt and change daily as you need it too. I don’t always make every step in my routine and that’s ok. Sometimes it’s not realistic to work out or make the bed before the day starts and that’s ok. Just use your routine as a general guide and be ok with changing it when needed. Remember. Your morning routine is for you. It’s meant to be a good start to your day. If it feels like it’s too much or is stressful, you probably want to look into figuring out why it makes you feel like that and changing it. Once you find what does work for you though, your routine could be the best way to start your day!