Have a Better Morning, Routinely

A good morning sets the tone for the rest of your day, but what does a good morning look like, exactly? 

It all starts with your routine. 

Many morning routines include hitting the snooze button repeatedly before rushing out the door in a panic to make it to work on time. That’s hardly an ideal way to start your day. If you’re in the market for a new and improved morning flow, try these tips.

1. Create a bedtime routine

When it comes to establishing a solid morning routine, the real work starts the night before. Your bedtime routine might even be more important than your morning routine because it cuts down on decision making when you’re trying to get everyone out the door. 

There are probably quite a few tasks you could get done the night before. A successful nighttime routine might involve:

• Showering or bathing the night before.
• Turning off all screens and electronic devices an hour before bedtime. It helps you and your brain “power down.”
• Picking out your clothes for the next day.
• Packing lunches for yourself and your family.
• Making or prepping for breakfast ahead of time.
• Packing your briefcase or tote bag and putting it by the door, or better yet, in the car.
• Reading or journaling before going to bed as a winding-down activity.

2. Don’t. Hit. Snooze.

We know this one is much easier said than done. Regardless, this is a huge first step toward establishing a morning routine that will make you feel like a very efficient rock star. 

Hitting snooze can have consequences according to a concept called sleep inertia. When your alarm sounds, your body produces a rush of adrenaline. That boost only happens once, and ignoring it will make dragging yourself out of bed even more difficult. 

This trick is an oldie but a goodie – put your alarm clock or phone or whatever wakes you up in the morning across the room. Instead of just reaching out from under the covers to slap the snooze button, you’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off.

3. Never skip breakfast

Make time in your morning to eat a healthy breakfast. It really will help you power through the rest of your day. If you’ve made breakfast the night before, there’s no reason not to eat. 

If you can’t actually make your breakfast ahead, get everything ready. Scrambling eggs? Take the eggs out of the carton and put them in an easy-to-grab bowl in the fridge. Set the frying pan on the stove, spatula on the counter, plates and forks at the ready. Smoothies for breakfast? Get out the blender. Gather all your ingredients together in the fridge or even put them into a bin, basket, or bowl so you can reach in and grab just one container in the morning instead of juggling several boxes and cartons. Reducing the number of decisions you have to make in the morning ups your efficiency.

4. Create a landing zone for your keys and wallet

If you’ve ever reached the office and realized your wallet was at home or searched the house for your keys in a panic, this tip could make a big difference in starting your day on a calmer note. Designate a “home” – a shelf by the door, a tray on the kitchen desk – for these important things. Put them in their home every time you walk in the door, and you’ll always know where they are when you’re walking out.

5. Make time for something you enjoy each morning

You might be thinking, “I’m already so short on time in the morning,” but hear us out. Even if it’s just five minutes, taking the time to do something that makes you feel good is a surefire way to infuse some happiness into your morning. 

Meditate, slowly enjoy a cup of coffee while reading the news, take the dog for a walk, do some yoga or a few stretches, listen to a humorous podcast, or read a few pages of a novel. Give yourself a few moments to relax and calmly prepare for the day ahead. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your new morning routine.