Five Simple Morning Habits That Anchor Your Day
Your morning sets the tone for everything that follows. Often, those first couple of hours of the morning are the only ones that are quiet, uninterrupted, and when we are freshest in our thinking and highest in energy. How you use that time will determine the outcomes for the rest of your day. The more you can be intentional about setting yourself up to run those first few moments of each day on autopilot, the better. The key is building a routine that is repeatable every day and helps you feel like you have started on the right path.
I have found that getting my morning routine right and then following it is the most important thing I can do in setting myself up for success. I literally can move through the first sixty to ninety minutes each day without having to think about what comes next. From the time the alarm goes off for the next hour and half, I know, more or less, exactly what is going to happen. Sometimes I think I may be too rigid, and I have learned to accept some flexibility, but it also keeps me grounded in what I need to do to start the day right.
My routine consists of five core elements that anchor my morning routine. These five habits give you a foundation. None of them are complicated. But together they give you clarity, energy, and momentum before the workday truly begins.
1. Have a Plan Write down your plan for your morning routine. I know that may sound silly and unnecessary, but I promise it will make a difference initially. I have done this multiple times, and seeing it laid out on paper or on a calendar with times forces you to be realistic with what you can accomplish and the time frame you have to work with.
Once you get comfortable with your routine, you don’t need it front and center. I would recommend keeping a record of it somewhere and making time at least twice a year in reviewing it and ensuring that your morning routine is still providing the benefits you are looking for.
Ideas:
Use a 3×5 card to write down your routine and keep it visible and available to you.
Schedule your first 1–2 hours in your calendar with your list. Many of us live by our calendar, so why not use it for personal use as well?
Have a morning reminder in your to-do list with your routine steps in it. This can be a great way to establish the habit.
2. Get Some Light Get outside. Or at least in front of a bright light. This signals to your body that the day has started. It sharpens your alertness faster than caffeine alone. This is another one that sounds like maybe it isn’t necessary, but I can attest to the value of getting outside and into the sunlight early. It makes a huge difference. Just think about how different you probably feel early during the winter versus the summer months. It is far easier to get into the sun and outside in those summer months with an early sunrise. I know for me, even getting out of bed is easier during the summer compared to winter based on the amount of light I can see through the windows. It makes a difference.
For those winter months when it may not be possible to get outside or into the light immediately, invest in a wake-up light or a therapy lamp to help get simulated sunlight first thing in the morning. You can even use these while you are brushing your teeth. It’s perfect for combining this with number four on this list.
Ideas:
Open the window shade or stand outside while you have your morning glass of water (see #3 below).
Turn your wake-up lamp on in the bathroom while you’re brushing your teeth.
Sit outside on your patio, deck, front porch, whatever you have while you’re writing down your morning thoughts — see #4 below). This is what I do.
3. Drink Water Before Anything Else Before emails. Before coffee. Before the first bite of breakfast. Hydrating early helps your body recover from hours without fluids. Think about this, if you get even six hours of sleep, that means for at least that long you have gone without anything to drink. You may not feel it right away, but you’re thirsty. Getting a full glass of water in you to begin your day ensures you start it hydrated. As with most of these, they may sound a little odd, but this will make a difference. I always have a full 16oz glass of water each morning. I have it on my bedside when I go to bed so it’s there for me in the morning (and if I happen to wake up and need a sip of water.)
Ideas:
Have a glass of water ready before you go to bed. Keep it next to your bed or in the bathroom to have it first thing in the morning.
Have a second bottle ready for the drive to work. Really, hydration is good.
If you don’t like having the water in the bedroom or bathroom, make sure it’s the first thing you see in the kitchen. Skip the coffee first, and get a glass of water.
4. Write It Down You will be amazed at how helpful and useful it is to take even five minutes to write down what is on your mind first thing in the morning. I would also recommend you use this time for gratitude journaling, but if you do that at the end of each day, use this time to write out any ideas bouncing around in your head. Or just capture how you feel, something you’d like to accomplish today, or something that makes you happy.
Ideas:
Combine steps: use the wake-up lamp while you’re writing. Drink a glass of water while capturing thoughts.
Have a dedicated app or notebook just for your morning thoughts. That makes it easy to refer back to anything you want to look at in the future. Plus, it is something you can keep in a visible place to remind you that you’re doing this each morning.
5. Move Your Body This doesn’t have to be a full workout. Although, there are tremendous benefits to getting a 30-minute workout in first thing in the morning as well. But even simple stretching, a short walk, or doing a few push-ups will be a perfect way to get your body in motion and blood flowing. I have found that having this time dedicated to exercising ensures I get it done each day, but also serves as additional time for me to think about what I want to get done for the day. I am continually amazed at how much positive energy I can get from spending time on the treadmill or exercise bike in the morning, and how that carries me through the first half of the day.
Ideas:
How about a few push-ups or squats while you’re brewing your cup of coffee (after you’ve had your full glass of water.)
Take a quick walk around your yard or driveway. Walk to the end of the block and back.
Use the stairs in the morning if you have them in your apartment complex or at the office, or at the hotel if you’re traveling.
Park at the end of the parking lot and get the extra steps in walking to the store or office.
Why It Matters Having a morning routine can help you accomplish a lot. Any of these things are not only good for your mind and body, but they are also great for signaling your first accomplishments of the day. You’re hydrating, getting exposure to light, you're moving your body, capturing thoughts and more in a short period of time. That is something to get excited about completing before most people are even drinking their first cup of coffee each morning. That by itself goes a long way in setting your day up in a positive way. You’ll feel great in your body, and mentally you will have already checked off the first big thing. You are now set for a big day ahead.
What morning routine ideas do you have? How do you get your day started in a positive way?
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