Even if you wouldn’t call yourself a “morning person,” the few hours before the day starts can be a great opportunity for self-care, wellness, creativity, reflection, and productivity. Your morning routine and what you do when you first wake up are important because how you spend your morning can set you up for success the rest of the day. So stop scrolling through TikTok or hit snooze, and try these 12 things as soon as you wake up.
FYI, you don’t have to check off everything on that list every day to be considered “good” (ain’t nobody got time for that!). Our goal is to inspire you to prioritize your health, turn happiness into a daily routine, and make the most of your mornings – whatever that means. Use these 12 things as inspo to experiment or change your morning routine in any positive way, but above all, make your morning work for you (yes, even before 8 of the morning).
1. Drink a large glass of water
Drinking more water is one of the best things you can do for your body. Especially when you’re up all night, it’s important to hydrate as soon as you wake up as part of your morning routine to get more energy. Make it a goal to drink a large glass of water in the morning as soon as you get out of bed (or before—no judgment). Before downing a cup of coffee, grabbing a bite to eat, or taking a shower, make it part of your morning routine to rehydrate your body as soon as possible to avoid feeling tired if it is fatigue.
2. Create a skincare routine and stick to it
So you work out, eat well, drink water, and don’t forget to take care of your skin. All you need is a quick method, but if you have more time or you like to be more adventurous, apply a face mask or massage oil while you brush your teeth. You will be taking care of your skin for a long time while getting great immediate benefits and glowing for the rest of the day. And remember that it’s not just the skin on your neck that is important. Use a moisturizing cream or oil all over your body, and apply the same care to your eyes, neck and décolletage.
3. Set your alarm a few minutes earlier than you want
If your mornings feel like a race against the clock, consider waking up a little earlier so you can have a calm and relaxed start to your day. You may have a lot of control in your morning (such as an early start of work or a child to take care of), so waking up just 10-15 minutes earlier will make you feel more in control and relaxed. ‘all day. . Whether you spend your time meditating, indulging in a beautiful skin care routine, or listening to the soothing and soothing sounds of your coffee, you won’t miss a minute Few of the sleep.
4. Don’t look at your phone
If the first thing you do when your alarm goes off is check your email or reply to a text message, we need to talk. You start your day off doing things other people want from you instead of giving yourself time to focus on things you important. Give yourself a little time to be on the right track rather than succumbing to the reactionary reaction from all your posts and posts. Stay off social media, check your email, and ignore text messages for at least 30 minutes after waking up.
5. Make your bed
Not only will it feel good to get into bed later at night, but it’s also important for the success of your day. Making your bed first thing every morning means one small victory before you have a cup of coffee, which if you don’t know enough will motivate you to achieve thousands of small victories during the day (and you know what they say about small victories: They really lead the way. big). plus, Gretchen Rubin Research has found that it is the simplest and most common daily practice you can do to improve happiness.
6. Create 15-30 minutes for yourself
Maybe you’re so used to working on a task or a to-do list that you tell yourself to meditate, exercise, or sit down and read something. day, but how often does that actually happen? Put “me time” at the top of your to-do list instead of hoping you’ll have time later by setting aside 15-30 minutes each morning to do something for you. Write, draw, paint, listen to your favorite music, practice French—whatever it is, make sure it’s something you enjoy doing. Another option is to spend a few minutes meditating before starting your day by journaling or meditating.
7. Connect with someone you love
We all have moments of solitude, but spending time with the people you love is an important part of your self-care routine. Connecting first thing in your morning routine will give you the lights and fuzzies all day long and help you remember that the point of life is to enjoy it. Take a minute to pet your dog, smile at your roommate, call your mom, kiss your significant other, or write a thank-you card to your co-worker. It only takes 60 seconds to log in and connect with the people you love the most.
8. Eat (or prepare) a healthy breakfast
PSA for those of you who say they don’t have time for breakfast: Breakfast is a very important opportunity to fit in other nutritious meals and give your body energy to get through the day. If you don’t like eating when you first wake up, don’t worry. You can eat whenever you are hungry in the morning – try not to skip lunch right away. Don’t know what to do? Try these breakfast bowls, healthy breakfast ideas, and sweet or savory options. If your mornings are usually fast, prepare your breakfast the night before to make your morning routine a little faster.
9. Clean one area of your home
Yes, we got it. Who wants to work before a long work day? We’re not suggesting you get out the mop bucket or clean the entire room first thing in the morning (we can’t be Monica Gellar!). You can make a big impact in less than 15 minutes by putting away the laundry, cleaning the counter, or unpacking. You’ll be able to enjoy your day and feel less cluttered when your space is clean. Plus, you won’t be putting off more work to do later.
10. Prepare lunch or dinner
Healthy eating requires thought and preparation. If you wait until you’re hungry to think about what to eat next, chances are you’ll reach for fast food or frozen meals. If you only have minutes, plan what you will eat for the rest of the day, just like you organize your calendar and to-do list. It can be a recipe based on what you’re craving or something you can get from a restaurant down the road. If you have 10-20 minutes, start chopping vegetables or even throw the ingredients into your pot right away. It will save you time later and ensure you make the best decision possible.
11. Make a to-do list
It’s easy to start the day with your head swimming in everything you want to do. Stop, take a breath, and start writing. Writing everything down will make it easier for you to focus on one task and feel less overwhelmed. Don’t forget to prioritize life goals. Of course, you will have to do the mundane chores or boring work, but find out where you can get those things and do the things that will bring you closer to your goals first.
12. Move your body
Aside from helping you feel accomplished, adding exercise to your morning routine will help your body feel more alert, energized, and productive throughout the day. But don’t worry: If you don’t have time (or energy) to run, exercise, or go to the gym before 8 a.m., you don’t need enough exercise to get those benefits. . Try walking to get outside, doing quick yoga moves to get your body moving, or stretching to warm up your body. No matter what type of movement is demanding in the morning, it will help wake you up and keep you energized throughout the day.
