The Power Of A Morning Routine

Let me ask, what did you do when you got up this morning?

I'm guessing you probably already have a morning routine that consists (at least) of getting up, washing, and getting ready to head out the door? 

Or maybe, if it's the weekend, you've planned a more relaxed day at home, with no immediate plans to be anywhere, but you still followed a similar (albeit, slower-paced) morning routine, compared to your week day one? 

Perhaps you don't follow a routine at all on the weekend and prefer to just go with the flow and see what you feel like? PJ day, anyone?

Or maybe you're still languishing under the covers, nursing a hangover and contemplating how to get a pizza delivered to your bed so you don't have to move? No judgement or shame here by the way, we've all been there.

Either way, we all have a semblance of a morning routine on the days when we HAVE to show up - for either our work and/or to look after our kids. 

Whatever routine you currently have in place, is it working for you? 

If you asked me this question 4 years ago, I would have told you that mine wasn't really working at all, but I had neither the time nor the inclination to change it. I was self-aware, but I told myself (and believed) that I just wasn’t a morning person, and it STUCK. 

Let me paint you a picture...

During the week, my days began with UTTER CHAOS. I used to be one of those annoying people who set their alarm (on my phone, of course) about 8 times over a 1-hour period and STILL snoozed (I still do this sometimes now, much to the distress of my husband). 

When I did eventually come to, the first thing I did was reach for my phone, usually somewhere in the bed with me by this point. I'd check all my email inboxes, whatsapp messages, social media accounts and the latest news stories, heart racing and fingers tapping. Sometimes, I would be so absorbed that a good hour would pass and before I knew it, it would be 8:30am. And I was still in BED! 

So, with great panic at running late and stressed from information overload via my phone, I'd throw my body in the shower, rush through hair and makeup and pull on some clothes. Then I'd flap around the house trying to find my keys, phone or lighter and race out the door to catch the tube or bus, all while fumbling to light a cigarette on the way.

This was pretty much my morning routine, EVERY. SINGLE. WORK. DAY.

At least I was consistent.

I'd get into work completely frazzled and stressed and hit the coffees just to get me through. I'd skip breakfast, which meant I then loaded up for lunch and I was exhausted by the time I went home. And yes, that was me who I described on weekends, languishing under the covers and nursing a hangover from hell.

Thankfully, I've completely changed up my routine and have now established healthy morning rituals.

This took months of discipline and consistent action to implement, but the benefits have been worth it. Not only does it set the tone for my entire day, but it also puts me in a peak mindset, helping me become more productive and effective. It also helped me massively when my daughter came along, as I only needed to tweak my healthy routine to fit around her, rather than add to the previous chaos that was my life!

Here’s how, on my best days, my morning rituals set me up for a KICK ASS 24 hours: 

1. Awake with Intention

Each morning, I allow myself to enjoy a moment of sitting up and fully waking, around 5:30am. I then get dressed ready for yoga, roll out my mat and prepare 2 glasses of water with lemon, which I drink while writing in my journal.  

In her book, The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron suggests starting your day by writing out 'Morning Pages'. This is writing 3 pages of longhand, about anything and everything that crosses your mind (and for your eyes only). The idea is that you clear your mind, release your creative flow and reduce anxiety.

Try it! If you struggle with what to write about, here are some ideas to get you started: write about your dreams, a problem you have, a shopping list, 3 things you're grateful for, 3 things you hope to get out of your day or write some positive daily affirmations. What a great start to the day already!

2. Prepare for the day the night before

This is part of my evening routine, but it's a habit that's definitely instrumental in ensuring the success of my morning routine.

Every evening, I like to consider my plans for the next day and decide what I'm going to wear in advance. This is a massive time-saver!

I then lay out my outfit for the next day (both work clothes and active wear), along with anything else I need to take with me for work. I also do this for my daughter (she’s only 11-months old) and pack her bag for day-care.

I then like to write out the 3 most important things I need to accomplish the next day. This helps to reduce my decision fatigue (the more decisions you have to make throughout the day, the harder each one becomes for your tired brain). 

So, rather than waste energy on unimportant decisions first thing in the morning, taking up my much needed energy for important decisions later in the day, I use the evenings for all the small stuff.

On Sunday evenings, for example, I prepare my breakfast and lunches for the week ahead. This means I don’t have to waste energy thinking about lunch options during the day and can concentrate on more important, high-stake decisions instead. Plus, it saves SO much time, and ensures I stick to healthy food choices. Winning!

3. Nourish Mind & Body

I always used to skip breakfast, rarely drank water and my morning was filled with cigarettes and sugar-laden coffee. I was always starving and in a mad rush, not to mention jittery and anxious from all those coffees. And exercise? The very thought of fitting in any type of exercise before work (or ever) was just laughable! 

Now, I drink 2 glasses of water while I write my Morning Pages and following that, practice yoga for 30 minutes – 1 hour a day, depending on how much time I have. During the week, I love to prepare oats (the night before) with cinnamon, chia seeds, almond milk and berries, along with a decaf coffee.

I sit down to drink and eat, take my time, and really enjoy my food. Now I start the day satisfied and focused, instead of hungry, distracted, and anxious.

4. Get some headspace, listen to a podcast or read a book

Life can get crazy, so every morning after my yoga practice, I reserve 10 minutes for silent contemplation by putting on my Headspace app. I find meditation really helps me to relax and focus, improving my concentration. I also like to use this time to visualise my day going well and reflect on what I'm grateful for.

While I'm getting dressed and doing hair and makeup, I like to use the time productively, so I play a motivational podcast, audio book or music, depending on my mood.

If I have time, I also like to read a chapter or two of a book (usually on my commute) but if not - I make sure I fit this in during the evening or at lunchtime instead. 

5. Stay connected 

Every morning, I make sure to spend some time connecting with my husband and daughter.

Usually this means having breakfast and playing with my daughter before taking her to day-care, and I always make sure to spend at least 20 minutes every morning connecting with my husband, either in person or on the phone (usually my husband is out the door super early). I also like to check in with my husband and friends throughout the day (and my daughter through day-care app updates).

Creating or maintaining meaningful connections is important for mental health. It helps us to regulate our emotions, boosts our empathy and self-worth, and puts us in a positive state of mind. It also keeps our perspective in check, which in turn can help lower anxiety and stress levels.

Don't get me wrong, some days I definitely need the extra sleep. Or my daughter wakes up earlier than usual and I end up missing a few steps! I’m not perfect. But my personalised morning routine happens as much as I allow it to (keeping to consistent bedtimes really helps!).

Some of these rituals won’t be right for you, depending on your job, circumstances or commute. But what is essential is creating a series of morning rituals that will prepare you for an effective, positive, and productive morning (and day), ahead.

Remember, you choose how to set the tone for your day. So, what new rituals will you create?

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