How-To Design the Perfect Morning Routine

/ Self-Care

Aloha friends! This morning I want to talk to you about the importance of morning routines and give you some tips on how to create one that works for you.

If you asked me a year and a half ago how I felt about morning routines, I would say, “what’s a morning routine?” I used to hit the snooze button 15 times, I would take three bites of a bagel, and sprint out the door to make it where I was going barely on time, if on time at all. I was always really stressed and rushed in the mornings.

 

In March 2020 last year, the global covid-19 shutdowns taught the entire world how to slow down. I’m so grateful that I was able to have the opportunity to reset and develop a new outlook/approach to life. Now I truly look forward to my morning routine and to just genuinely wake up. I get so excited because I get to do so many things that I love and enjoy to do.

 

There are many benefits of having a morning routine. You feel more productive throughout your day, more in control of your day, and you’re able to prioritize things better. Those are important because when you’re stressed and feel like you’re always trying to play catch up throughout the day is when you’re going to have exhausting and unproductive days. But, when you’re in control of what you’re doing in the morning and how you’re setting your mindset, that is when you have successful and productive days. Every day is 24 hours long and those 24 hours are gonna go by whether you like it or not. It’s how you’re using those 24 hours that makes the biggest difference. Having that good morning routine is going to help you use those 24 hours the way that you want to and not feel like you’re playing catch up all the time.

1. Set a Consistent Wake Up Time
Try and create a set time that you’re waking up consistently. Your body loves routine and it loves consistency. So, if you’re constantly waking up around the same time every day, your circadian rhythm is going to LOVE you for it. That provides you with a whack of other benefits, but that’s another post for a different day.
2. Map Out How Much Time You Need
Figure out how much time your routine is going to take and make sure you have enough time to do it consistently. This is extra important for mothers (bonus: with young ones running around). I’m sure if you’re a mom reading this, you’re thinking “Yaaa, okay Arielle. You think I have enough time to make sure everyone else is ready AND have time for ME to start my morning off?” It may sound impossible, but with the right adjustments and the rest of these tips, hopefully we’ll be able to make sure that you can do that!
3. Stop Snoozin'!
 I know that it’s easier said than done, but hitting the snooze button is prolonging your day and taking away from your morning routine. If you are currently hitting snooze, try and figure out why you’re hitting it. Are you hitting the snooze button often because you’re tired? If so, you will need to adjust how much sleep you’re getting. Are you hitting snooze to procrastinate because you’re overwhelmed with what’s supposed to happen that day? If so, my advice is to wake up and do something that brings you enjoyment and peace. That could mean playing your favorite song, listening to a podcast, going for a walk around your neighborhood.. something that will automatically give you joy so that you are in a better place when you are taking on the rest of your day.
4. Get Outta Bed
This one can be hard, but just do it. It’s so easy to just lay in your comfortable bed, fall back asleep or just prolong starting your day. When I get out of bed, I make my bed because I feel so productive and organized. It also makes my bed less inviting to crawwwwl back in.
5. Avoid Your Phone
When you look at your phone it opens up the opportunity for outside influences and energies to enter your space before you’ve even cultivated the environment yourself. If somebody sends you a rude or sad text, that can change the entire course of your day. At that point you haven’t even had the opportunity to prepare yourself to make the best of the 24 hours ahead of you.   Most of my life is living in Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is six hours ahead of Hawaii Time (HST). I wake up with SO many notifications on my phone. Texts, missed calls, emails, memes, you name it. It stresses me out, so I avoid looking at it for the first chunk of my morning so I can focus and prepare for the day. Let’s just say it can also be very distracting. You watch one video and randomly find yourself looking at a video from 2015 of your friend’s boss’ wife thinking “how did I get here?”
6. Connect with Yourself & the Universe

There are so many ways that you can be mindful and connect with the world around you.

  • Journaling: I start off by lighting incense (frankincense or sandalwood) and I journal about what I dreamt of, what I’m grateful for, plan my day, or randomly do a brain dump. This is perfect for those who have A LOT of thoughts
  • Meditation: I prefer to meditate after journaling because I have SO many thoughts in my brain all of the time. If I try and meditate first, I can’t sit still or pause my thoughts. Afterwards I’m present and I’m focused on what the day is going to bring me.
  • Breathwork: Helps slow down, reset, and align with the Universe
  • Affirmations: Your thoughts shape your reality. You are able to reprogram your brain by repeating certain phrases. Repeat 3x in the mirror, “today will be great” or my favorite one is “today is a great day to have a great day.” It’s cheesy, but I love it. I’ll walk outside, take a deep breath and say “today is a great day to have a great day”
7. Hydrate

Drink. Water. I tend to drink a glass of water as soon as I wake up, after I turn off my alarm. I keep my Hydroflask full and on my bedside table. This will kick start your metabolism and help flush out toxins.

8. Eat Within 1 Hour of Waking Up

When you’re sleeping, you’re actually fasting (because you’re not eating). If you extend that fast by waiting too long to eat breakfast, or skipping it all together it can slow your metabolism. This also helps your metabolism

By extending your fast through missing breakfast (or waiting too late), this can slow your metabolism which may impact the rest of your day. My advice is to eat within that hour, even if you aren’t a breakfast person. Something as small as a breakfast smoothie or bagel will make a difference. Fuel your body!

Exercise: Finding YOUR Perfect Routine

There are four questions that I recommend asking when you’re trying to figure out the best morning routine for yourself. Since everyone is different, don’t be discouraged if one thing doesn’t work. Some days may be easier to do it than others. Maybe you have two morning routines, one day when you’re busier you do the shorter routine and on slower days you do your full routine. There are so many different ways that you can navigate through finding the best routine that works for you!

1. What fills me up the most?

2. What gives me energy?

3. What makes me happy?

4. What makes me feel prepared?

I hope these tips will help you find the best way to start your day and use those precious 24 hours to your advantage!

Health & Happiness,

Arielle