The importance of establishing a good morning routine should not be underestimated. After all, how you set yourself up for the day dictates how it will pan out. Not only that, but it ensures that you’re ready for any challenges that come your way! 

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With that in mind, here are some top tips for perfecting your morning routine! 

Remember your morning routine actually starts in the evening. While this may seem a little confusing – the success of your morning routine actually hinges on your behavior the previous evening. For example, if you stay up late into the night scrolling on your phone, then the chances of you getting a good night’s sleep (and having energy in the morning) are slim.

As such, now is also the perfect time to work on your evening routine, ensuring that your behaviors are built around improving your sleeping habits. For example, you should: 

• Aim to get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night 
• Avoid using your phone for at least thirty minutes before bed, while also turning on the blue light filter
• Avoiding caffeinated beverages in the afternoon/evening 
• Ensure that your bedroom is a comfortable environment that is conducive to sleep and relaxation 

You may also find it useful to spend some time in the evening writing down a to-do list for each day. This way, you have a better understanding of what lies ahead and can ensure that you are suitably prepared.

Set your alarm for fifteen minutes earlier

While you may be keen to get as much sleep as possible, setting an alarm for around ten-fifteen minutes earlier than you actually need to get up can be a real game changer. This allows you to indulge in a slightly “slower” morning as you don’t necessarily need to get out of bed right away, giving you the chance to properly wake up before you kickstart your routine. 

Stretch and wake up your body

Once getting out of bed, be sure to shake off any lingering feelings of sleepiness through stretching. This can help you to wake up as it gets your blood flowing through your body, while also ensuring that you feel a little more energised. 

Play some music

Playing some music is another great way to ensure you feel as energised as possible in the morning, especially if you play songs that you love to sing and dance along to. Not only that, but studies have found that it can also boost your mood, which means it’s great for people who are the opposite of morning people! 

Shower and get ready for the day

Now that you’re up and moving, it’s time to get ready for the day. If you’re the kind of person who loses track of time in the shower, consider setting a timer on your phone or creating a playlist (that you can sing along to) that is a specific length to help you stay on track. You can also save time when it comes to getting ready by planning out your outfit the night before, so that you simply have to throw clothes on as opposed to digging through your wardrobe.

Spend 5 minutes on skincare

While you may feel as though your mornings are a battle against the clock, it’s always worth investing a little time into your skincare routine. This is because it will allow you to feel like the most confident version of yourself, regardless as to whether or not you are wearing any make-up. Furthermore, you don’t need an overly complex routine. Instead, keep things simple! 

Wake your little ones up

Once you feel ready for the day, it’s time to wake your little ones up too and encourage them to start getting out of bed and getting ready. If you’re caring for teenagers, you may have to repeat this step several times over. 

Brew some coffee

Whether you’re a lover of a black coffee or prefer a milky iced latte, a high-quality cup of coffee will help ensure that you start your day off on the right foot. After all, this ensures that you’re as energized as possible when heading out the door, whether you’re hitting the gym or going to work. As such, quality coffee beans are well-worth the investment, especially if you’d otherwise spend a great deal of money on take-out coffee. 

Make some breakfast

According to a recent study, more than 55% of adults skip breakfast on a regular basis, often claiming that they do not have time to prepare anything in the morning. However, this is a habit that you must leave behind. If you’re in a rush, you can always meal prep over the weekends so that you have delicious, healthy meals that are ready to eat each day. For example, this could include overnight oats or even a breakfast burrito. 

Ideally, you should sit with your children and eat breakfast together. This will allow you to start your day off on a positive note, while also allowing you to spend some quality time together. You can also use this as an opportunity to check-in with your kids, ensuring that they are feeling their best and are also ready to tackle the day ahead,

Go for a short walk

If you have enough time to do so, going for a short walk is the perfect addition to your morning routine. This is because it will ensure that you’re getting a little bit of exercise in before you get too busy to do so, while also helping you to brush off any lingering feelings of fatigue. Not only that, but getting a bit of fresh air can also lift your spirits, even if the weather leaves a lot to be desired. 

One way in which you could make time in your routine for walking is by parking your car a little further away from the office than usual, or by getting off a stop earlier from the bus. If you’re walking alone, use this time to listen to an interesting or motivational podcast. This way, you feel though you’re spending your time a little more productively, while also ensuring that your mindset is in the right place. 

Practice mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness in the morning can also help you to feel as though you’re starting the day on the right foot, especially if you’re currently under a lot of stress and pressure. Fortunately, there are many different ways in which you can practice mindfulness in your day-to-day life, such as by meditating or even spending 10 minutes journaling and setting your intentions for the day. 

While this can take a little getting used to, you’d be surprised about how much of a positive influence this can have on your mood and mindset moving forward. As such, it’s well worth allocating a few minutes to each morning (and evening). 

Final thoughts

If your morning routine is currently non-existent, you’re not alone. In fact, the vast majority of people simply roll out of bed and hope for the best. 

However, the more you work on curating a morning routine that meets all of your needs, the better. This will help ensure that you wake up on the right side of the bed, while also setting you up for a successful day, whether you’re planning on catching up with friends or heading to work. And, if you’re not sure where to get started, the advice outlined above is a great starting point for pulling together the perfect morning routine.