INSIDE: A healthy morning routine will always be the backbone of any successful self-care practice. It has a considerable impact on mental health, physical health and productivity. Starting the day with order and purpose, instead of an immediate rush, benefits all aspects of life.

 

Everyone wants to know how great individuals became "great". What did they do differently or right? Can we expect comparable outcomes if we follow in their footsteps? 

Every successful person has a unique route to achievement, but one thing most of these people have in common is an efficient morning routine. These healthy morning routines and wellness practices are only a small part of the day, yet they are crucial to each and every moment of the day thereafter.

7 Healthy Morning Routines to Start Today

Whether you enjoy reading in the mornings like Theodore Roosevelt or taking a walk in the park like Charles Darwin, we all have our own idea of a healthy morning routine to make ourselves feel good. It’s not so much what you do in the morning, but the act of consistently setting aside time to start your day with purpose that matters the most.

Here are some of our favorite way to begin our day...

Plan Your Day

Planning your day is the first and most important step in creating and keeping a healthy morning routine. Some people choose to do their planning the night before, but you can also do it in just a couple minutes before you start your day.

The act of planning days or even weeks in advance now opens up the option for us to prioritize duties and manage our time properly. Completing tasks in an orderly fashion helps us do more and feel more accomplished. Daily to-do lists are still useful and effective, but only when used in conjunction with a longer-term planning system.

This practice also solves the problem of constant stress. That overwhelming feeling that comes from having too many chores or deadlines looming is rare when a healthy morning routine is made and followed. To put it simply, making a plan for the day helps us focus on everyday tasks while being available to handle life’s changes.

Wake Up Early

Getting up early as part of a healthy morning routine provides innumerable advantages for one's health and well-being. Rising early aids in the regulation of the body's circadian rhythm, which is the internal biological clock that controls sleep and wake cycles.

As a result of an early rising, the body will naturally feel more weary and ready to sleep when it is time to go to bed at night, which can contribute to enhanced sleep quality and quantity.

We all complain about not having enough time to do things. Waking up early is the easiest way to have more hours in the day to finish chores and achieve your objectives.

Meditate/Practice Mindfulness

Meditating and practicing mindfulness at any time has a beneficial place in our lives, but doing so early in the day as part of our healthy morning routine greatly amplifies the benefits.

Instead of chasing the hours, feeling like we’re trying to catch up with things immediately after we’ve gotten up, a few minutes of meditation in the morning can control our mood and set us up nicely to be in control of the day from the get go.

Other ways of practicing mindfulness that don’t involve meditation include breathing exercises or repeating a mantra. Whatever mindfulness practice we use, it’s critical to choose a method that we enjoy and can commit to on a regular basis.

If meditation is your practice of choice, using crystals in the morning can improve your experience. By using stones that have all types of beneficial characteristics and energies during your healthy morning routine, you can enhance your meditation purposes and daily intentions.

Amethyst, for example, is commonly used to soothe the mind and promote relaxation, while Clear Quartz improves clarity and attention. Hold the crystal in your hand or set it nearby and allow its energy to support your practice.

Stretch & Move Your Body

After keeping relatively still for the past 7-8 hours in bed, the body needs to move around and stretch when it awakens to increase blood flow and bring up the energy levels needed for the day. A short workout or stretch session can help create a positive tone for the rest of the day, while also having the added physical benefits that come with exercise. 

Yoga, pilates, or even a brisk stroll or jog outside are some examples of gentle workouts or stretches you may incorporate into your healthy morning routine. Exercise in the morning doesn’t have to be strenuous or tiring. Just listen to your body and begin slowly with something relaxing. The key here is consistency, not intensity.

Sunshine and Fresh Air 

Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, which is necessary for bone health, immunological function, and overall well-being. Fresh air can help you boost your mood and mental clarity while reducing tension and stress. Depending on the weather in your area, a morning stroll or run can provide those benefits while also offering some mild exercise to start your day.

If walking outdoors isn't an option, open a window or sit near one while completing other aspects of your morning ritual. Including sunlight and fresh air in your healthy morning routine can be a simple yet very effective habit. Consider sipping on some sun-charged water!

Reduce Tech Use

Reducing extensive phone and computer use in the morning as part of a healthy morning routine can offer a number of physical advantages for our eyes. But the biggest benefit is for our mood.

Reduced screen time reduces our exposure to blue light, which can disturb our normal circadian cycle and make it difficult to fall asleep at night. It also detaches us from the continual overstimulation of social media messages and news updates that can help reduce feelings of tension and anxiety.

The barrage of negative stories in the media, combined with meaningless celebrity gossip is enough to throw anyone off their focus in the morning. Remove any distractions caused by your tech and allow yourself to fully engage in your morning routine tasks without interruptions. 

Eat A Healthy Breakfast… Or Don’t!

Eating a balanced breakfast as part of a healthy morning routine has various advantages. For starters, it can help control blood sugar levels, giving you a continuous supply of energy throughout the morning. It can also help you think more clearly and stay focused by improving cognitive function. A nutritious first meal is key for gut health and digestion, as well as promoting weight loss.

Intermittent fasting, or missing breakfast completely, has been demonstrated to have many benefits like enhanced insulin sensitivity, increased energy, and better cognitive performance. It can also result in a greater caloric deficit, which can be advantageous for people attempting to reduce weight.

It is crucial to highlight, however, that missing breakfast as part of a healthy morning routine may not be ideal for everyone and should be addressed with caution for individuals with specific medical conditions or who are at risk of hypoglycemia.

Try a few different options for breakfast on different mornings, see how you feel, and choose the best option from there. 

Final Thoughts

A healthy morning routine might be the difference between a decent and a wonderful day. Life is chaotic for all of us, but we can always find time for the things we value. Because our productivity can only start once when we get up, developing healthy habits is critical to a productive workday. 

The activities we prioritize, from eating a nutritious breakfast to working out or reading, have the power to change our perspective. Choose activities and a schedule that promotes happiness, prepares you to perform key activities, fosters a flow state, and helps you maintain a manageable work-life balance.

* Crystals and stones should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please read our full disclosure notice here.