Creating a morning routine that works for you is so helpful to living a healthy lifestyle and making the most out of each day. Each of us is made differently so we should customize our morning routines to suit us.
Mornings for me are the worst. I saw this meme that said, “Let’s just say ‘getting up before the sun’ is not a club I ever want to be a member of, ever!” I’ve never been a morning person and I know that my body requires more sleep than some people. Everybody is different and I encourage you to find the routine that works best for you.
When you find a routine and build the habit, it helps to not have to think about what to do next each morning. These tips will help you find the routine that gives you energy, makes you feel great physically and mentally, leaves you more productive, and gets you ready for whatever adventures the day brings.
Listen to Your Body Clock
As I said, I’m not a morning person, and no matter how many books or podcasts on “success” tell me that I have to wake up before the sun, it’s not the best for my body. Each of us has an internal body clock that knows about how much sleep we need to feel our best and about what time we need to be awake and asleep to feel our best.
If your schedule allows you to, try to plan to work within these hours. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day getting the amount of sleep your body needs.
After Menopause, it can be frustrating to fall asleep and stay asleep. Give yourself a nice evening winding down routine that might include some deep breathing, a meditation, writing down 3 things you are grateful for, reading a book, no electronics, and sticking to the same time for bed each evening.
Wake Up and Stretch
Many of us feel stiffness upon waking up, especially if we have some arthritis in our joints. Do some gentle morning stretches before you even get out of bed to ease your body into some gentle movement. Try these stretches:
Drink Your Morning Mojo
Coffee might be first on your mind in the morning but try hydrating your body first. I start my day with a “Morning Mojo.”
Pour a glass of room temperature water, add a squeeze of lemon juice, optionally grate some ginger and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Enjoy this glass as you are getting ready in the morning before your coffee.
Hydrating your body after a long night of sleep will help to boost your metabolism, give you the energy you need, aid in your body’s digestion and also help to build the habit of staying hydrated all day. Hydration helps our skin, our joints, our brain, and boosts our energy levels.
Review Your To-Do List
Ideally, you will take a few minutes the evening before to write down the top To-Do’s for the following day. Start with the biggest task you need to complete and fill in from there. In the morning, review your list and make sure you have a plan to tackle the biggest task first. Don’t let all the little stuff add up and overwhelm you and block your productivity.
Eat a Healthy Protein Packed Breakfast
Getting enough protein first thing in the morning will help to fuel your body for the day as well as reduce cravings by keeping you feeling full longer. Try a smoothie with protein, low sugar greek yogurt with granola and berries, overnight oats, make ahead egg cups or an omelette, or Ezekiel bread with nut butter, lox, or avocado.
Exercise
Working out in the morning ensures that you get your workout in before the day derails your “self-care” time. It also helps to boost your endorphins giving you more energy and brain power to tackle your to-do list.
Working out in the morning also helps you to sleep better at night and helps you feel more confident and happier throughout the day. Who doesn’t want to feel stronger, more confident, and have more energy?
Developing a healthy routine in the morning is a great way to start your day off on the right foot. I love this quote from John Maxwell, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine
For more information on feeling your best, download my free Thrive at 55 Guide!
Do you have a morning routine? How did you develop it? What works for you in the morning and what doesn’t? Can you say that your day depends on how your morning starts?
