Every morning is a fresh start, that’s what I love about mornings. You can wipe away bad habits and pledge to make lasting changes. Your healthy lifestyle starts NOW! But it’s no good having one day when you’re super healthy – and then slipping back into your old ways for the rest of the week. Instead, try and build a realistic healthy morning routine you can return to day after day.
These are the habits I build into my own morning routine. I may slip up from time to time – no one’s perfect, especially not me, but when I keep up at least 4 or 5 of these habits I feel so much better. It’s good for my fitness and my waistline.
I’m not a morning person. You won’t find a 5 am morning routine on this site! I don’t think the time you get up is important. Instead of forcing yourself to get up incredibly early, adapt your routine to the time you have available and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
Pick a few of these ideas and try them out to find what works for you. Mix and match them with your own healthy morning routine habits. But keep things real. It’s better to have a small list of good habits you keep up day after day than to have an overwhelming long list that even the most conscientious person can’t stick to.
Ideas For Your Self-Care Routine
#1 Wake Up Naturally
At first glance, this looks impossible. Most of us are driven by other people’s schedules such as school times and early office meetings. Hitting snooze in the morning may be tempting but most of us are up and at it as soon as the alarm clock goes off.
But it is possible to wake up naturally a bit earlier than your schedule dictates. It’s all down to your circadian rhythm. By going to bed and waking up at the same time every day you can train your body to wake before your alarm goes off.
A regular bedtime and at least 7 to 8 hours in bed will help with better sleep and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed.
#2 Avoid Reaching For Your Phone
Keeping the first part of your day screen-free means concentrating on YOU and not on whatever’s happening in the rest of the World or the lives of your friends. It’s hard to focus on healthy habits if you’re distracted by work messages or Instagram posts.
If I wait to check my phone until I’ve completed my morning routine, I feel so much better about the day ahead. Try it and see!
#3 Drink A Glass Of Water
Did you know that when you’re sleeping your body is losing fluids? It’s so important to rehydrate as soon as you wake up and the best way is to drink water.
I keep a big glass of water by my bed ready to drink as soon as I awaken. It doesn’t just make you feel good – it also stops you from confusing dehydration with hunger.
#4 Get Some Fresh Air
Most of us spend the vast part of our day indoors. It doesn’t feel natural and a little fresh air first thing in the morning can do you the world of good.
How much fresh air can depend on the time of year, but even in winter I like to take a quick walk around the garden or wrap myself in a blanket to sit on my garden bench drinking my morning beverage.
I’m convinced the fresh air clears my head and jump-starts my day!
#5 Morning Workout
I love to move my body in the morning. Sometimes I’ll keep a yoga mat by my bed and do a little yoga routine, other times it’s bodyweight exercises and sometimes I’ll go for a morning run.
I find I can run 2 or 3 miles before breaking my overnight fast. If it’s a longer run I’ll eat a banana first. Running on an empty stomach helps with fat-burning!
Find an exercise routine you enjoy and make it a regular morning habit. It doesn’t have to be long – a 10 to 15-minute daily yoga workout sets you up for the day!
#6 Check Your Daily Goal List
Take a few moments to check your to-do-list and goals for the day. I like to jot down my plans for the following day before I go to sleep at night but it’s always good to review them in the morning.
A good night’s sleep can bring clarity to your thoughts. I often find I come up with new ideas or ways to tackle a task after a good night’s rest.
#7 Write 3 To 5 Positive Affirmations
The mind plays tricks on us clouding us with thoughts that tell us we aren’t good enough or that we can’t achieve our goals.
Combat these negative thoughts by writing down 3 to 5 positive affirmations and read them out loud to yourself in the morning.
I confess that the first time I started writing down my positive affirmations I felt self-conscious and a bit silly. Now I know they make a real difference to my mindset, how well I take care of my body, and my productivity.
Try and come up with your own affirmations or start with these ideas:
- I am capable and confident.
- I deserve to be successful.
- Every day I’m getting fitter.
- I am in control of my own happiness.
- I embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
I like to practice gratitude at the same time and reflect in my daily journal on the good things in my life. It puts me in the right mindset for a great morning.
#8 Tidy Up Your WorkSpace
Normally I’ll tidy up before I go to bed at night but if you make your bed in the morning, and put away any clutter from the night before it sets you up for the day.
I work from home and I always find I work better with a tidy workspace. I’ll file away projects I’m no longer working on, empty my waste bin and give my desk a quick wipe – all set for my new tasks.
#9 Enjoy A Healthy Breakfast
Last on the list for my morning routine is eating a healthy breakfast. I like to delay breakfast until I’m fully awake and completed my first task for the day.
Breakfast is the best meal of the day (in my opinion) and I like to eat a balanced breakfast with whole grains, some fruit and seeds, and nuts for protein. Overnight oats are my favorite and will keep me full at least until lunchtime.
Thoughts From Love Life Be Fit
These are the habits I enjoy as part of my healthy morning routine. Just remember everyone is different and finding a good morning routine that suits YOU may take some trial and error.
Your routine may include a morning walk, or taking a hot shower… the possibilities are endless! The important thing is to create a routine that sets you up for success and allows you to start your day on a positive note.
Don’t wait to get started. Jot down some ideas now to try out tomorrow morning or take a look at some of my other self-care ideas! Better still, take our 30-Day Self-Care Challenge!