A Beginner’s Guide To The Ultimate Morning Routine

Let’s talk about a beginner morning routine. Because I don’t see enough of those

Morning routines can be a struggle to keep up. So I’m not going to sit here and tell you having a chaotic routine is the end of the world. But having a solid morning routine can make a difference. I’m proof of that because once I got my morning routine down, My days were more successful and longer. I mean I felt like the day had an extra 5 hours

I didn’t always have a plan in motion. Getting up was already a struggle. One, because I hated the idea of facing the day (yay anxiety), and two, my bed is aggressively comfy. It’s true. Hitting snooze was like second nature to me. Hitting snooze was a part of my old ‘routine’.

I hate to say it, but yeah, creating a powerful morning routine makes a huge difference. And it’s not just having the extra time from getting up at the crack of dawn; there’s a lot more to it. So today I’m giving you 10 of the best tips for creating and maintaining the ultimate morning routine. Let’s get into it 🙂

Tips For a Beginner Morning Routine

1. Wake up early

This is (kind of) optional. I say that because while I’m not as close as I once was with the snooze button, we’re still close acquaintances. It’s still set to 5:30 but there are some days I wake up at around 8.

Usually, it’s because it’s the weekend, and I’ve earned those extra hours. Maybe class got cancelled or I’m just feeling particularly lazy that day. Whatever the reason, waking up early is still optional.

But let’s be real, waking up an hour or two earlier will make completing some of the things on this list a lot easier.

I’ve noticed a huge difference in how I spend my time on days I wake up late. The day feels shorter and my to-do list has way too many unchecked boxes. Overall, I’m a lot more productive on days I wake up early and there are studies to back this up.

Most people will benefit from waking up early, even though it may suck the first few days.

Getting started is pretty simple in my opinion. First off, go to bed early. That extra hour has to come from somewhere. Then, slowly decrease wake-up time. I suggest starting with thirty minutes. So if you usually get up at 7, try 6:30. Then try 6:00. Keep going until you feel comfortable enough and it positively adds to your overall morning routine.

2. Exercise

how to create a morning routine and stick to it

Exercise is an amazing (free) tool everyone should utilise for an overall better quality life.

Numerous studies talk about the benefits of exercise including:

Better quality sleep
Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased mental clarity

I can attest to this. But I remembered how the thought of exercise felt daunting, getting started was hard enough, and doing the wrong exercises kept me demotivated despite being aware of the numerous health benefits.

Getting started

When it comes to exercise there needs to be a ‘why’. Watching a 30-minute video on the benefits might not be enough. You need to personalize it- figure out why you want to start exercising. There‘s no shame in wanting to look your best; so if changing your physic is at the top of your list then have at it. The other benefits will come along.

Sticking with it

My number one reason for staying demotivated and quitting every three days, I found was that I was doing the wrong exercises.

I don’t like heavy weight lifting, and I don’t like extreme HIIT. So When I started with those things it was easy to quit for the reason that ‘exercise just wasn’t for me’

I got over that roadblock and stuck with the exercises I actually liked.

Secondly, when some people start exercising they go all out. I used to go overboard and dismiss my limitations. It’s an easy thing to do, especially when it comes to physical activity.

For any beginner, exercise won’t be fun at the start. So attempting to run a mile on the very first day might not be ideal. It will suck and it may leave you thinking exercise isn’t for you. The best option is to start slow. Like, try 5 minutes of walking, then work your way up to a sprint.

These were the steps I took and now exercise is a joy. It’s an everyday part of my morning routine that leaves me energized and ready to start the day.

3. Prepare a healthy breakfast or snack

Breakfast is a must for most. Understandably, because eating the right foods in the morning will boost your mood. You’ve been running on an empty tank for a few hours so there’s an appeal to finally having something, especially if you’re the type to workout before having the first meal of the day.

However, breakfast and I have a love-hate relationship. Once upon a time, intermittent fasting was my go-to weight maintenance plan. And it worked until I realized I couldn’t maintain drinking zero-calorie drinks until 12:00pm.

Some people do not eat breakfast, which is fine. I’m one of those few. If you’re the type to only drink coffee in the morning, then make sure you make the best coffee in the world. Don’t skip out on whatever you have in the morning, whether it’s a big breakfast or a small cup of coffee to energize you for the day.

Even if it’s getting late, squeeze time in. Because your day will probably be spent groaning about how ‘I can’t believe I didn’t have breakfast this morning’ or even worse ‘I forgot my morning coffee’ Trust me, I’ve been there.

4. Make time for self-care

It’s cliche, but all work and no play? There’s some truth to that. So I always make time for self-care in the morning. The great thing is, self-care can be whatever you want it to be.

I kinda romanticize everything, so I see my morning shower as a form of self-care. I don’t mess around either, I’ve spent way too much money on body care to not take my time in the mornings and have fun. It’s like quick and easy pampering

Going out of your way to make a super healthy breakfast can be a form of self-care, especially if you don’t do it every day. Exercise too because it’s one of the best things you can do for the body.

Skincare is a habit everyone should get into. Body care is routine, but the skin on the face is a lot different from the skin on the body, plus who doesn’t love having amazing skin? Skincare is my favourite form of self-care.

Get started with something you’ve been wanting to do. I used to rush my showers but when I realized how much I enjoyed them, I made it a priority to make time. Getting up earlier made it a lot easier.

5. Stay positive and mindful

Mornings are intimidating. You’ve just left the comfort of your bed, the sun’s way too hot outside and there’s already something you really don’t want to do on your mind.

My anxiety gets the best of me sometimes, especially in the mornings. So I’ve made a habit of staying positive and mindful in the mornings.

I’ve made a habit of taking deep breaths before leaving the bed. It gets me out of that groggy state and calms whatever doubts I have about the day’s upcoming events.

I don’t journal in the morning as much as I’d like, but I find saying positive affirmations the easiest way to practice gratitude, mindfulness and positivity in the mornings.

Conclusion

1. Wake up early for maximum productivity

2. Exercise to feel and look good

3. Prepare a healthy breakfast or beverages to boost your mood and energize after a long night

4. Make time for self-care to make mornings enjoyable

5. Stay positive and mindful, especially on days you feel anxious

There are so many things a person can get done in the morning. Sometimes I do more, sometimes less. Either is fine, as long as your routine consists of things you enjoy. Do not feel guilty if you find planning a routine hard or the first few days of implementing it difficult. That’s completely normal, as starting something new is always a bit hard.

A beginner morning routine should start out easy. You probably already do two or three things on this list, so work your way up to maximize your morning for a happy and productive day.