We often hear people talk about their “morning routine”, its importance, and all the benefits it brings them, but for whom? Why? How? That’s what I am going to discuss here!
What is a morning routine?
If we base ourselves on the very definition of “routine”, it is a “well-established framework, where actions are linked together in an orderly manner, repeated each day”, as part of the morning routine, every morning. The morning routine then becomes this set of actions that we do every morning to start the day off on the right foot!
But how do you define what to do to start your day off right? Here are some answers.
What are your goals for your morning routine?
To start, it is important to define the goal of your morning routine, what do you need in the morning? To be more energetic? To be more productive? To take time for yourself? To order your days?
These are the goals that will define what is important for you to include in your morning routine. The goal can be the same every day or vary depending on the days, weeks, months…
What are some things you like to do in the morning?
A morning routine, to be maintained over time, must include things that you like to do. As with a diet, if there are too many constraints, you will not last. And the very principle of a “routine” is to be anchored in time.
So it is important to identify things that you like to include, anything: reading, drawing, writing, breathing, drinking your coffee in peace, a walk in the fresh air, … You can include one, two, three of these activities, it’s up to you, but give them time and importance.
What are the things you should do in the morning?
Combine business with pleasure. Your morning routine is your time for you, to start your day off right. It is also the time to complete the essential tasks of your start of the day and organize the rest of your day. List the essential things to do in the morning and include them in your routine.
Tips on how to have a good morning routine
Here are some simple and important tips to have an even more effective and healthy morning routine for your body and mind.
Don’t turn on your cell phone just yet
Enjoy a moment of calm, without screens, let your eyes wake up to the light of day. Carry out your first tasks of waking up without your phone. This gives you a natural awakening and disconnection from the outside and virtual world.
Wait for your first morning coffee/tea
Allow 60 to 90 minutes after waking up to drink your first coffee/tea. The body will naturally secrete the hormones responsible for waking up our body, and our brain, let them wake up naturally without caffeine. Only after this time, drink your first coffee/tea.
Wake up early
It is advisable to wake up 2 hours before your first obligation of the day to take as much time as possible for yourself. 2 hours may seem like a long time to you when you say it like that… But you will see, it goes by quickly!
Remember to hydrate yourself
One of your first reflexes after waking up might be to hydrate yourself. Drinking a large glass of water when you wake up allows your body to compensate for the dehydration of the night. Remember, when you sleep, you go 8 hours without drinking!
Wake up your body with stretching and mobility
What if we took advantage of this to gently wake up our bodies? 5, 10, 15 minutes of stretching and mobility to wake up your body muscularly and particularly can change the whole course of your day. Just like for hydration, for 8 hours, our body has been lying down, immobile or sometimes in positions that are not recommended.
Morning routine starts in the evening
Because there are no good morning routines if there are no good evening routines or habits. You have to keep in mind that what you do in the evening has importance and an impact on the next day.
Always pay attention to the importance of sleeping well, limiting screens before bed, accumulating enough hours of sleep… Having a good routine in the evening to start (again) well in the morning!
How to stay consistent
Find a morning routine that suits you, that meets your expectations and your goals. Try to find tasks that meet these needs and find a balance to maintain and automate them over time. Automate them not because you become a robot that repeats tasks, but because you understand the importance and the benefits they bring to you.
Conclusion
Morning routine is your time. There are no good or bad morning routines, there is only yours. We sometimes hear about “Miracle Morning” for morning routines, yes this method can work for some people, but it is not because you do not have the exact same routine, that your morning will not be “miracle”.