In today’s high-stress environment, creating and maintaining a mindful morning routine can be key for productivity and success. Morning rituals can also immensely help people who suffer from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Having a routine that you can look forward to every single day can keep you grounded and focused on what you have to accomplish that day.
A large number of people abruptly wake up to an alarm, immediately pick up their phone or other electronic devices, then begin their day. Upon waking up they’re checking e-mails, reading text messages or looking at social media. Jumping right into things you have to get done like this can be a detriment to your mental health and productivity.
For your health and sanity, it’s time that you wake up every day and reclaim those first few minutes of that day. Instead of being on autopilot and floating through your morning and day, you will take charge of it and your life right when you wake up.
7 Tips for Creating a Mindful Morning Routine
With these tips for creating a mindful morning routine, you’ll be ready to take back your life and start living the way you’ve always wanted to.
1. Start With Sleep
Any good morning routine always begins the night before. Getting the right amount of sleep and maintaining a steady sleep schedule is incredibly important.
Having a fixed bedtime and waking time and sticking to them will give you a more restful night of sleep and set you up for success. Falling asleep and waking up at the same time every day is important for setting your circadian rhythm, or internal clock, giving you a better night of sleep.
2. Hold Off On Your Technology
While it may be your first instinct to immediately grab your phone upon waking up, resist as much as you can.
Checking e-mails, texts or scrolling through social media right when you wake up can limit your productivity for that morning and day. You’re starting off on a bad foot by immediately reaching for your phone and spending even more time in bed than you should.
If you’re looking for something you can keep on your phone to keep you thinking positive, then check out these affirmation wallpapers below.
3. Get Out of Bed
Directly related to our last tip is getting out of bed. Your phone, tablet or another piece of technology that you start using upon waking up is only wasting your time.
Getting out of bed is the first step to any productive and mindful morning and day. Immediately getting out of bed upon waking up gets you moving and ready to get through the rest of your morning routine. Set yourself up for success right from the moment you wake up.
4. Drink Water
Starting your day with a tall glass of water is much more healthy than an alternative such as coffee or tea.
Drinking at least 8 oz. of water will get your digestive system working for the day and give you a small boost of energy to help you wake up. Taking care of your body and its needs right when you wake up will not only improve your physical health but also your mood and overall mental health.
5. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal to log your morning routine can be great for holding yourself accountable and making sure you actually follow the routine you’ve set for yourself.
Working mindfulness into your daily routine can be difficult, it’s not often that one takes the time to reflect on how they are, what their goals for the day are, and how they’re going to achieve those goals.
We’ve included a mindfulness journal below for you to keep focused and track how you’re doing on a daily basis, with a focus on constructiveness rather than negativity.
6. Get Some Exercise
Exercising in the morning will get your blood flowing and help you wake up and get ready for the day. It will also help regulate your sleep/wake cycle and can help you lose weight.
Slipping on a pair of men’s running shoes or women’s sneakers and going for a run or some other sort of exercise is one of the best ways to start your day off right.
If you’re not able or simply don’t have the time for a full exercise in the morning, consider another option such as yoga or stretching to get you started.
7. Remember to Eat
Eating within the first hour of waking up and breaking your fast is ideal for stimulating your metabolism. Eating later in the day can have the opposite effect, slowing down your metabolism.
A faster metabolism will make your body burn more calories throughout the day and give you more energy. Eating before any morning workouts also provides important fuel for your body to power through your exercise and the rest of the day, even if it isn’t a large meal.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily life can help relieve anxiety and stress and help you become more present in your everyday life. Follow the tips outlined in this article to build a mindful morning routine you can look forward to each day.
