Your morning is your transition between sleep and your day. A chaotic morning can set you up for a chaotic day, while a well-planned morning routine can set you up for a good day.
Let’s have a look at the benefits of a good morning routine and how to plan and develop it.
The benefits of having a morning routine
How you begin your day has a big impact on the rest of your day If you start your day with stress or indulge in bad habits, it will be difficult to get back on track later. A chaotic morning will set you up for a chaotic day.
At the same time, a good morning routine can set you up for a good day. Depending on your routine, some of the benefits can include:
- Less stress
- Better mood
- Feeling refreshed
- Higher productivity
- Feeling better physically
- Better sleep
- Starting the day with a small win
What is the best morning routine?
When we start something new, we want to find the best possible way to do it to get the best possible results. But when it comes to routines, no solution fits all. There is no perfect way to start your day. The best morning routine for you is the one that is tailored to you, your goals, and your current life structure.
How to plan a morning routine
Before you can develop a morning routine, you have to plan it. You have to decide how long it should be, your intentions, and which habits you need to include.
What is your intention for the routine?
The simple act of knowing why you want to do something makes it easier to do it the right way. Both your conscious and subconscious mind will work towards the goal. When you set yourself an intention, you’re more likely to succeed.
Doing something just because you think you have to rarely gives the results you need. Take a moment to consider why you need a morning routine. Is it because you want to feel more relaxed during the day, to become more productive, or maybe something third?
Related: How to find the right habits
How long should the perfect morning routine be?
Your morning routine can take anywhere from 30 min to several hours. What determines the length is a balance between two things.
- What you need from it
- How early you want to get up compared to when you need to be ready
You might want to exercise in the morning, but if you don’t want to get up half an hour earlier or eliminate other habits from your current routine, it’s not going to be sustainable.
Take a look at the two points above and determine what habits you want to include in your routine and how much time you have to do them. Find a compromise between the two, and you know how much time you have.
Remember, there isn’t a perfect duration for your routine. Find something that’s easy and comfortable for you, and you’ll be more likely to stick to it.
Which habits do you want to include?
Now that you know why you want it and how much time you have, it’s time to decide which habits you want to include. While it depends on your situation and goals which habits will help you, there are some that everybody could benefit from.
Good habits to do in the morning
It’s impossible to set up a routine that are perfect for everyone. However, there is a few habits that can benefits most.
Having a healthy breakfast makes it easier to take the healthy choices later in the day. You’ll have more energy, and your body will feel better
- Avoid your phone for as long as possible
When you start your day with a quick dopamine fix from your phone, you’ll be more likely to crave this simple reward throughout the day. Leave the phone for as long as possible and increase your productivity and mood.
- Don’t stay in bed
Staying in bed for too long, snoozing, can make you more tired than if you got up straight away. Even if it allows you to get 5 more minutes of sleep. Snoozing might lead to feeling sluggish through the day and can derail the rest of your morning routine.
- Drink water
When you wake up, you’ll be dehydrated. Start your day with a (couple) cups of water. You’ll feel better, and it’s easier to maintain a healthy fluid balance throughout the day.
While there are many habits that can be a part of your morning routine, the above 4 can be beneficial for anyone.
Related: The 9 best habits for self-improvement
How to develop a morning routine
Now that you have decided why, how long, and which habits you need in your morning routine, it’s time to bring it to life.
The first you’ll want to do is to find your trigger habit. A habit that you do every morning, that you can build the rest of your routine on top of. For most, this will be turning off the alarm.
Once you’ve finished the trigger habit, you’ll begin by working on the second behavior in your routine. This could be drinking some water or making your bed. If you struggle at the beginning, you can focus on just adding one new behavior at a time. Slowly develop the full routine and soon, you have your new morning routine.
Remember, sometimes the things you plan aren’t effective in real life. It’s okay to change your routine over time if it doesn’t serve you. There’s no shame in that. You’re doing it for yourself, not for anyone else.
Related: The simple approach to building a routine
Sum up
How you start your day can influence the rest of your day. If you start your day well, the rest of your day is more likely to be good.
When you plan your morning routine, you have to consider why you need it, how much time it should take, and which habits you would like to add.
When you develop your routine, begin by slowly adding one new behavior until the routine is fully developed. Don’t be scared to make changes if you notice things you can improve.
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