Until recently, I wasn’t a fan of morning routines. I found them to be far too restrictive for me. I didn’t like feeling as though I was chained to a particular way of starting each morning.
What if I woke up and my energy levels were very low? Exercising just wouldn’t work on those days.
Or what if one morning I felt super energetic? Sitting down and journaling would just feel frustrating.
I didn’t really see how one routine could work for me.
Well, now that I am self-employed, I see that structure is everything. I absolutely need routines, planning and some sort of order to my days.
At the moment I am still trying to figure out what sort of morning routine might work best for me. I thought that some of you might be in the same boat so I hope that you find this post helpful!
Thanks to Makayla who writes the blog, Little Me and Family for sharing her thoughts on how to create a mindful morning routine with us.
Having a mindful morning routine sets the tone for your whole day.
It’s not just about getting certain things done as a habit each morning. It’s about creating the mindset you want to be your default throughout the day.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply creating the emotional and mental space to breathe in your environment, experience it intentionally, and let go of the stresses around you. Mindfulness is about being present in the moment.
Being mindful in the morning can change the way you view your whole day.
Instead of reacting, you can respond. Instead of blowing up about something that didn’t go your way, you can breathe and accept your situation with love and the grace to change without being angry.
A look at my mindful morning routine
My mornings don’t always look the same since I’m a mama. But, I try to make sure that my mornings include a few of the same essentials to start my day off right.
First, I try to get up before my daughter. This does miracles for my attitude the rest of the day. If I have that time to myself, I feel like even if I accomplish nothing but motherhood after she wakes up, I can rest in the fact that I did things by myself in the morning. ]
Some days this looks like me waking up at 4:30am, other days it looks like waking up at 6:30am and just showering before she wakes up.
Another morning mindfulness routine that I love to do is reviewing my prayer journal.
If it’s the beginning of the month, I fill out my prayer requests and intentions for the month. If it’s the middle of the month, I can look back at these prompts and it makes my prayer/meditation time much more focused and mindful. I also try to fill out the gratitude section of my journal. Identifying my gratitude first thing in the morning really sets a thankful tone for my day.
As I get work done in the morning, I find that focusing on one task at a time ensures that each task is done well and with intention. This means not opening more than 1-2 tabs at a time, only completing one task at a time, and completing pre-planned tasks so I’m not overwhelmed.
Once my daughter wakes up, I turn screens off during breakfast and try to get some yoga or stretching in. Moving my body first thing in the morning really charges my day with healthy energy.
How to create your own mindful morning routine
The most important thing you can do for your mental state in the morning is to ensure that you approach your day with grace is to have a good evening routine.
Not many people talk about evening and morning routines together, but they go hand-in-hand. If you aren’t going to bed early, without your phone or TV putting you to sleep, you aren’t going to feel your best the next day.
Taking care of your body at night will determine how well you can take care of your body in the morning and feel throughout the day. Here are some things to remember when you create your own morning mindfulness routine.
Go to bed early
You want to aim for 8 hours of sleep. If you have a Fitbit, you can use the bedtime reminder to alert you when it’s time to get ready for bed.
Eliminate screens 1-2 hours before you go to bed
The light from screens can disrupt your sleep and cause you to take longer to fall asleep. If you want to be well rested, turn off your screens well before you go to bed.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Make sure you eat breakfast and make healthy food choices. These will influence your food choices for the rest of the day. You can try eggs and toast, a fruit and dark leafy green smoothie, or some oatmeal with fortified nut milk, chia seeds, nuts, and fruit.
Drink a calming tea before bed if you’re prone to stress
If you’re prone to stress or have trouble falling asleep, try a glass of decaf tea or a magnesium supplement to help you fall asleep easier and sleep more restfully.
Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
Drinking water is so important for your overall health. Drinking it first thing in the morning not only wakes you up and signals to your body to get moving, but it’s great for your digestion and sets the standard of hydration for the day.
Stretch
Getting your body moving first thing is a great way to set your intentions for the day: productivity, mindfulness, and movement.
Journal your goals, gratitude, and affirmations
Reminding yourself what your goals are, what you are thankful for, and speaking positive affirmations over yourself will require your brain to have these as your default instead of complaining, stress, and anxiety.
Focus on one task at a time
Don’t multitask. It doesn’t work. Instead, focus on one task at a time and concentrate on doing each one well.
Final thoughts
Mindfulness is so important for emotional and spiritual well-being. It creates such an impact when applied first thing in the morning.
Starting your day with a mindfulness practice can create an intentional and grace-filled mindset for the rest of the day. When everyone else is stressed out you’ll be centered and ready to take on everything with intention.
I’m curious. What’s your morning routine? How do you practice mindfulness?
About the author
Makayla is a mother and the blogger behind Little Me and Family. Most days you’ll find her in yoga pants and a messy bun with a toddler glued to her leg. She is passionate about helping women to ditch the STUFF and to just enjoy the present moment. Makayla works hard to create beautiful resources that make simple living easy!