Create A Morning Routine To Simplify Your Life

Are you a chronic snoozer or do you jump right out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off? I used to have a terrible habit of snoozing my alarm two to three times every, single, morning. While I don’t have kids to help prepare for school, I have 45 plus farm animals to care for, and they are all about ROUTINE!!! The animals are not fans of tardiness, so I had to create a morning routine to help simplify my life. So, If you’re looking for some inspiration to kickstart your mornings off right, this blog post is for you!

WAKE UP EARLY(ISH)

One of the easiest ways to start your day is by consistently waking up early. Studies show that people who wake up at least 30 minutes earlier than usual tend to feel more productive throughout the day. There are many benefits to getting up early:

• more time for yourself

• time to exercise

• better sleep

• less time in traffic

• fewer dark circles

• improves concentration

• more time to eat breakfast

I have never been a morning person, but now that I have a routine, I wake up after my alarm goes off and rarely hit the snooze button (unless it’s Sunday). To help me get up earlyish, I go to bed at the same time every single night. The key to creating a successful morning routine is consistency. If you wake up at different times each day, you won’t be able to maintain a consistent schedule. You might wake up late one day and then have a bad habit of sleeping in the next. That’s why it’s best to set a specific time to get up each day. Once you establish a regular bedtime, stick to it.

Your bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, and it should be free of distractions. For me, removing my television, limiting screen time before bedtime, installing a ceiling fan, and using a $25 sound machine completely changed the vibe of my bedroom, and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. You can add cozy pillows and throws to your bed, create a little reading nook, keep your nightstands free of clutter, make your bed daily, and repaint your bedroom to create a calm and peaceful environment.

GET SOME NATURAL LIGHT RIGHT AWAY

Natural sunlight is a significant player in your morning routine and has been proven essential for our physical and mental well-being. It helps us wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Sunlight helps “wind up” your internal clock. Facing the bright light of day in the morning can help your body realize it’s time to wake up, leaving you more alert before you’ve even approached the coffeepot.

Furthermore, daylight doesn’t just help you wake up — natural light in the morning can leave you feeling sleepier earlier in the evening, making it easier to get to bed on time. And what better way to kick off your morning than the satisfaction of feeling well-rested?

If you have the time to venture outside before you start your day, go for it. Are your mornings already jam-packed? Open your curtains and window as soon as you get out of bed, and take a moment to breathe deeply and enjoy the fresh air.

On overcast days, turn your overhead lights on instead. You might even consider investing in a light therapy box.

DRINK WATER

Water is essential to good health and an important step in self-care. If you want to start your day off right, try drinking at least eight glasses of water before you eat anything. Water helps flush toxins from your body, keeps your digestive system running smoothly, and gives you energy throughout the day. If you drink enough water, you won’t be reaching for those sugary beverages later in the day. If you drink too little water, you might feel tired, bloated, or even dizzy.

You can make drinking water fun by purchasing a cute, new water bottle and decorating it with stickers.  If you struggle with drinking water, try adding mint, cucumber slices, lemon, or berries! Be sure to check out ⟶ 23 Best Flavored Water Recipes of All Time!

EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

One of the most important parts of a good morning routine is preparing a healthy breakfast! Eating a healthy breakfast will give you the energy to start your day on the right foot. You’ll be less likely to skip meals if you eat something nutritious first thing in the morning, and it will help you feel better throughout the day. Studies show people who eat a healthy breakfast have better concentration than those who skip it.

Here are nine healthy breakfast ideas that can be ready in five minutes or less:

• Soft cooked egg on whole wheat toast with orange slices.

• Whole-grain pita pocket with peanut butter or alternative, and banana slices in plain yogurt.

• Whole-grain English muffin with melted cheese and apple slices.

• Scrambled eggs with red peppers and salsa wrapped in a tortilla.

• Cheese with whole-grain crackers and sliced tomatoes.

• Scrambled eggs, whole-grain toast, one cup of milk, and sliced apples.

• Greek yogurt with whole-grain cereal and berries.

• Whole-grain toast with peanut butter or alternative, sliced apples, and one cup of milk.

• Yogurt parfait with plain yogurt, ground flax seeds, and fresh fruit.

DO SOMETHING PHYSICAL

If you want to get into the habit of waking up early, try starting your day with some physical activity to help boost energy levels. Try walking, swimming, biking, running, dancing, yoga, weightlifting, or any other activity that gets your blood pumping. If performing a morning exercise isn’t your thing, try creating a morning stretch routine to help loosen your muscles after sleeping. You may find that stretching or yoga poses are enough for an energizing boost that grounds you and may even increase your flexibility. Stretching also feels great and can be one extra thing you do as a form of self-care in the morning.

DON’T HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE

Wait a minute… Now, you’re saying, “don’t have a morning routine,”- I’m confused. Listen, life is hectic, chaotic, and messy. Having a morning routine can take some of that weight off your shoulders. There are many benefits to sticking to a routine, but we all need a break from the monotony of life. My husband and I stick to a rigorous routine that works best for us, but we take a break from our Monday through Saturday routine on Sundays. We sleep an extra hour or two and don’t run any errands. Sundays are a simple day on the farm with our regular chore list without additional distractions.

You might not be able to deviate from your routine for a whole day, so schedule a few hours each week to do something fun, creative, or do nothing at all! Life is complicated enough, don’t stress yourself trying to stick to a strict routine if it isn’t working for you.

Here are some ideas to try for a slow and simple morning:

• Do some simple neck and shoulder stretches

• Breakfast in bed

• Read a fiction book for 30-mins

• Don’t set an alarm

• Connect with a friend via Facetime

• Watch an episode of your favorite TV show

• Go on a slow walk

• Tidy your room

• Spray your room with aromatherapy oils

• Write a bucket list for the day

• Message a loved one to tell them why you are grateful for them

• Put on a soothing facemask

• Catch up on your favorite blog during your morning coffee

• Spend your morning at the spa recharging

• Sit in a coffee shop with a book and hot chocolate

• Slowly tidy the kitchen

• Bake something to enjoy later!

• Wake up and cuddle whoever is next to you

FINAL THOUGHTS

Please don’t feel like you need to add all of these ideas to your morning routine. Simply including two to three of these in your morning routine can revolutionize your mornings.

Comment below and let me know the first things you do in the morning. Which of these morning routine ideas do you currently do, and which ones do you plan to add to your routine?

xo, Jen