16 Morning Routine Ideas to Swap Chaos for Calm

Have you ever woken up feeling rushed, stressed, and overwhelmed? It’s not a great way to start the day. It can make you feel like you’re playing catch-up from the moment you get out of bed. This chaotic morning routine can set the tone for the rest of your day, leaving you feeling frazzled and unproductive.

Thankfully, you could swap chaos for calm by implementing simple changes to your morning routine. That’s why having a morning routine is so important—it sets the tone for the rest of your day and can help you feel more calm, productive and in control. It can also profoundly affect your physical, mental, and social health.

But if you’re not a morning person or don’t know where to start, coming up with a morning routine can be daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled 16 morning routine ideas to help you find the perfect one for you and finally upgrade your mornings.

1. Make Your Bed

It may seem like a small task, but making your bed in the morning can have a big impact on your mindset. It sets the tone for accomplishing tasks and creating order in your space. It’ll also be less tempting to crawl back into bed after it’s made.

Plus, getting into a made bed at night just feels more relaxing and inviting.

2. Wake Up Earlier

This may be the most obvious routine change that needs to be addressed. Waking up earlier allows you to start your day on a calmer and more relaxed note rather than feeling rushed and stressed. It also gives you extra time to focus on yourself.

Too tired in the morning or glued to the snooze button? It might be time to re-evaulate your bedtime routine and get a better night’s sleep.

3. Enjoy a Quiet Moment

There is something to be said about the energy right before the sun comes up, and it can be incredibly calming and inspiring. If you’re not up early enough, don’t worry. Simply getting up early enough to enjoy a calm state is key- no matter the time of day.

If you are always waking up late and in a rush, try setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier to allow for a few moments of peace and quiet before the chaos begins. This can be a great time to grab a cup of coffee or tea, do some light stretching or meditation, and mentally prepare for the day ahead.

4. Let the Light In

Open your curtains or blinds as soon as you get up and let the natural light come flooding in! As soon as that light hits your face, it will make it easier for you not to hit that snooze button and go back to sleep.

This morning routine idea helps to support your circadian rhythm (internal clock), which is connected to sunlight exposure and can help you feel more awake and energized in the morning. It’s like a cup of coffee without the caffeine, sugar, or milk! Natural light also helps boost our serotonin levels which can help improve mood and lower stress levels.

Set up the space where bask in some morning light in your favorite chair. If it’s winter or raining, you can use a light lamp to gain a few of the same benefits.

5. Drink Water

Water is essential for life, and drinking water is important to our health and well-being. When we wake up in the morning, our bodies are dehydrated from not having fluids for 8 to 10 hours. Thus, it’s important to rehydrate your body first thing in the morning. This simple yet easy habit can help you feel much better daily.

Additionally, drinking water can help boost your metabolism and improve your overall health and energy levels throughout the day. You can add extra vitamins and minerals by squeezing in a little bit of lemon juice and adding sea salt if desired.

A great way to make this morning routine idea more automatic is to prepare your glass of water the night before and place it on your nightstand or kitchen table. It will be there for you to drink, sitting by your bed right after you wake up.

6. Take Deep Breaths or Meditate

Taking a few minutes to practice deep breathing or meditation can help clear your mind and lower stress levels. It gives you time to be mindful of the present moment, slow down your thoughts, and relax before beginning your day. Not to mention it’s also good for overall mental health.

Meditating first thing in the morning helps you quickly reach an alpha brain wave state (aka a relaxation state), which is the same wave our brains were in during deep sleep. The alpha wave helps lower your stress level, increase creativity and productivity, and improve your mental clarity.

Meditating is one of the morning routine ideas that people often struggle with due to its perceived complexity. However, meditating can be as simple as focusing on your breathing and repeating a simple mantra or affirmation for the day. You can also listen to one of your favorite guided meditations. The goal is not to “clear your mind” but rather learn to focus your brain on a task and be mindful.

7. Express Gratitude

Gratitude is an incredibly powerful tool that can help us appreciate our lives and improve our happiness with a simple shift in perspective. Taking time each morning to express gratitude helps you start your day positively.

Take a few moments to give thanks for the things that are going right in your life, such as friends and family, nature, or even food on the table. You could even take it a step further and write three things you are grateful for in your journal each morning.

It can feel hard to think of something to be grateful for if you’re having a tough time. If that’s the case, try starting small by being thankful for your breathing or the feeling of the sun on your skin. As you practice, it’ll get easier, and you’ll notice things to be thankful for easily.

8. Write in a Journal

Journaling is a great way to express yourself and helps clear your mind. Writing down your thoughts can help release mental clutter and pent-up emotions so that you can start the day feeling lighter and more clear-headed.

Journaling can also help you document your progress and reflect on the positives in your life. To make this practice even more effective, try to reflect on your day by writing your list of accomplishments, ideas, or meditative reflections in the evening.

9. Practice Self-Affirmations

Affirmations are the practice of repeating positive statements about yourself and your life to help cultivate love, confidence, and feelings of being worthy. Affirmations help you focus on your confidence and set you up for daily success.

Reciting positive affirmations daily helps boost your overall self-esteem, increase motivation, and reduce anxiety. An easy way to incorporate this into your mornings is by repeating positive affirmations or mantras.

If this practice feels cheesy, go for it anyways and get out of your comfort zone. You’ll be astounded at the effects as you get used to it. You can place post-it notes with your affirmations on the mirror and read them to yourself, or combine them by saying them out loud with your morning exercise or shower for even more impact.

10. Read and Learn

Reading is a powerful habit to adopt and can help you stay informed, inspired, and motivated throughout the day. Whether it be an educational book or magazine, reading helps expand your knowledge base and encourages creative thinking.

You don’t need to set aside hours of time for this activity; reading just one page from your favorite book or an informative newsletter can help you activate your mind and feel engaged in other areas of your interest (professional, personal, and beyond).

You can also find a book that has a quote or an idea for each day of the year. This will give you something to think about each morning. In your journal, you can also write down what it means for your life.

11. Move Your Body

Exercise and movement are important activities that you can do to improve your overall health, reduce stress levels, and increase energy. Regular exercise can help to boost your mood, promote better sleep, strengthen muscles and bones, and lower the risk for health problems down the road.

From the list of morning routine ideas in this article, starting your day off with a bit of exercise is arguably one of the best ways to start your morning. Even if it’s just a quick walk around the block for five minutes or 30 seconds of jumping jacks, morning exercise can help improve your focus and productivity.

Not only does exercise release endorphins – the “feel good” hormones that improve your mood, but it can also kickstart your metabolism for the day. Choose exercises that you enjoy, such as running, yoga, or HIIT training, so that you stay accountable and motivated to keep going.

12. Take a cold shower

Taking a cold shower or dipping in a pool is the perfect way to finish your morning routine and give yourself an extra energy boost. The cold water helps promote circulation, reduce inflammation, invigorate the nervous system, and even helps improve cognitive function, leading to greater immunity.

Taking a cold shower also helps stimulate your body’s metabolic processes, which can help you to feel energized in the morning. This practice can also help to release endorphins and serotonin, which help improve your mood for the rest of the day.

Jump into the shower right after your workout and hit your overheated body with cold water. It will be easier to do it when you’ve worked up a sweat, and it feels amazing when you dry off. Plus, it will be quick and save you time when implementing other morning routine ideas into your schedule.

13. Fuel Your Body and Mind with a Good Breakfast

Breakfast can be one of the most important meals of the day, providing your body and mind with essential energy, vitamins, and minerals. Starting your morning with a good breakfast will help you stay energized throughout the day and fuel your brain for work or other activities.

Aim to include balanced meals full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy carbohydrates such as oatmeal or yogurt with nuts and berries or a veggie egg scramble. Eating a balanced breakfast can also help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and improve your mood.

Eating breakfast should be one of the last items on your morning routine list. And making healthy choices first thing in the morning can make it easier to stay on track with other nourishing foods throughout the day.

14. Listen to an Uplifting Song or Podcast

Listening to an uplifting song or podcast is a great way to start your day feeling motivated and inspired. Listening to positive music can help you to boost your mood, stay focused, and reduce stress levels.

Uplifting podcasts are also an excellent source of knowledge that can help you gain valuable insights into various topics while motivating you to power through the day. Listening to podcasts can also help you stay informed, connect with like-minded people, and expand your network.

Incorporate your favorite music with other morning routine ideas for an even greater effect. The right song will get you moving for a quick workout, and repeating powerful affirmations will make you unstoppable.

15. Avoid Screens for the First Hour of Your Day

Avoiding screens, such as your phone or computer, for the first hour of your day can help you set a positive tone and reduce stress levels. Checking emails, scrolling through social media, or watching television can trigger anxiety and set off a chain reaction of negative thoughts.

Instead, use this time to focus on yourself and cultivate mindfulness. Implement one or more of the morning routine ideas mentioned above, such as meditation or journaling, to start your day with a calm and clear mind.

If you need to use your phone for an alarm clock, try turning off notifications and placing it on silent mode. This way, you won’t be tempted to check it first thing in the morning and can give yourself time to ease into the day without distractions.

16. Make a Plan

The last step of your morning routine should be to create a plan. This could mean making a daily schedule that outlines the tasks you need to accomplish during the day or writing down action steps to help you reach your goals.

Making a plan in the morning can help you stay organized, prioritize important projects, and break down large goals into smaller chunks that are easier to accomplish. This also gives you a sense of direction and purpose, making it easier for you to stay focused and motivated throughout the day.

While making a plan for the day, the key is to prioritize tasks and reduce overwhelm. Based on your long-term goals, try to decide on the most important things you need to focus on and tackle them first.

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