15 Ideas To Help You Build a Morning Routine To Get You Back on Track
Fall is here and if you’re like most people, chances are you’re still transitioning from summer. In other words, you’re still in summer mode. We here at Dexterous Organizing believe in the power of routines and habits. And so we want to help you build a morning routine that gets you back on track.
It’s never easy saying goodbye to summer. But fall is an amazing season that brings change, opportunities, and fun holidays. So it stands to reason why some people have a harder time transitioning from one to the other. That’s why morning routines are so important. They get you mentally prepared for the day ahead.
And the greatest thing? Morning routines look different for everyone. No two are the same. If you never had one before, fear not. Today, we’re sharing 15 ideas to help you build a morning routine that’s unique to you and your lifestyle.
Let’s take a look.
Here are 15 ideas you can build a morning routine with
Before we reveal the list, please know that you do not and should not do all 15 of these each morning. That would be impossible. Instead, choose 3-5 things that really speak to you. You can always adjust your morning routine if need be.
#1. Stretch
Do you ever wake up feeling stiff and sore? That’s because when we sleep our muscles are in a deep state of relaxation. Waking up stirs them back to life, but it takes a few minutes for them to get going. Consider doing a 5-minute stretch each morning. You can do it right in bed before you get out, or after. No need for complex yoga poses. Simple stretches are all you need to get your body loose.
#2. Make your bed
We’ve talked about the importance of making your bed before. It’s such a quick task, yet so many people choose to skip it. When you build a morning routine really think about adding this to the list. It gives you an immediate win to the start of your day and as mentioned before, it’s quick. You don’t have to make it hotel-style worthy. All you need to do is straighten the sheets, fluff the pillows, and fold the duvet.
#3. Open the windows
There’s nothing more refreshing than crisp fall air. People remove their window AC units around this time. Or they cover their central air units. This makes it the perfect time to let the air inside. Try and open up a window in every room. This creates a nice cross breeze. As a bonus, rooms closed up all summer will get a chance to air out.
#4. List your top 3 priorities
Some people write their to-do list at night. Others in the morning. Regardless, the morning is a great time to brainstorm your top three priorities of the day. These are the tasks you want to get done today no matter what. Even if you get nothing else done except those three things, you’ll feel accomplished. Keep the number of priorities low to avoid overwhelm. Once your morning routine is over, get to work on those tasks.
#5. Drink a glass of water
Many people can't wake up without their morning cup of coffee. But it's actually water that's better for you first thing. Set a glass beside your bed each night so when you wake up, the first thing you can do is guzzle that cup of water. You’ll feel immediately refreshed and you’ll be giving your body the hydration it lost overnight.
#6. Read for 15 minutes
Reading, in general, is great for the mind and soul. Whether you do it in the morning, the afternoon, or at night. If you want to build a morning routine that includes reading, limit yourself to 15 minutes or one chapter. Don’t get sucked into finishing the book. Remember, you want to make time for a few other things.
#7. Go for a walk
Movement is not only good for your body, it’s good for your mind. If you like to move first thing in the morning, take a quick walk. Do one lap around your block. Try and keep it to a leisurely stroll. This morning walk is meant to rejuvenate you, not exhaust you. If the weather isn’t accommodating, do a stretch instead.
#8. Meditate
Meditating is a great way to get you mentally prepared for the day. It helps you focus on your breathwork. And it pushes negative thoughts out of your head that could otherwise hinder your daily progress. No need to do a long, complex meditation session. Setting your timer for 3-5 minutes is all you need for a successful session.
#9. Write 3 things you’re grateful for
Practicing gratitude first thing in the morning is a wonderful exercise. It trains your mind to think of positive things rather than fretting over the busy day ahead. Take some time in the morning to write down three things you’re grateful for. The list can include people, places, and things. You can even say you’re grateful for your morning routine.
#10. Get dressed
If you’re part of the population that is still working from home, one of the best things you can do each morning is to get fully dressed. Getting dressed puts you in a mindset of, “It’s time for work.” While you might have grown used to working in your pajamas, try getting dressed and see if that alters your perspective some more. The clothes you haven’t worn in months will appreciate it.
#11. Make a healthy breakfast
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Treat it as such. While sugary cereal and a donut are quick to eat, they’re not the healthiest of options. Take time to create a delicious breakfast with healthy ingredients. Not sure what to make? Check out this post from the Food Network that has over 50 breakfast recipes.
#12. Let the light in
If it’s too cold to open your windows or it’s too rainy, at least let the light inside. If you keep your blinds and curtains closed all day you’re tricking your brain into thinking it’s still nighttime. Go room to room and open the blinds or curtains. Letting the sunshine in is an immediate mood booster as natural light just feels good.
#13. Take a shower
Do you prefer taking showers in the morning or at night? If you fall into the former group, then you should definitely add taking a shower to your morning routine. A shower is a great way to rejuvenate yourself. It involves movement and puts you in a calming mindset as you feel clean and ready to tackle the day.
#14. Make someone you love feel special
We’re so quick to neglect our loved ones in the morning, especially if we’re not a “morning person.” One way to fix this is to take some time to make someone feel special. Give your spouse or partner a hug or a kiss. Text a relative or friend and tell them how much you appreciate them. All this takes less than a minute and both of you will feel better because of it.
#15. Spend time on a hobby
Once the day gets going you might find it difficult to pause and do something you love — like a hobby. Consider adding 15 minutes to your morning routine that’s dedicated to a hobby of your choice. Whether it’s painting, writing, playing an instrument, or a video game. You won’t feel like you neglected it and you’ll have started your day by doing something you absolutely love. Just remember to set a timer.
As you build a morning routine remember the goal is not to overwhelm yourself by getting everything listed above done. It’s about curating a list of things that’ll get you prepared for the day ahead. Everyone’s morning routine is going to look different. Choose no more than 3-5 things and start your morning routine tomorrow. Mix and match to your heart’s content.
If you want some more self-care information, be sure to check out our blog post about what it means to reset here. And don’t miss this post about the importance of prioritization. When you’re done reading, book a FREE 15-minute discovery call to find out how we can help you create a sustainable organizational system in your life, home, or business.