Simple Steps to a Great Morning that Makes Your Day

I'm a night owl, always have been.  I learned to function on five hours of sleep because I had to.  I couldn't fall asleep before midnight or 1:00 a.m., yet I had to be present for the worlds of school, work, and motherhood, which began early in the day.

My natural bent, however, is to stay up all night, go to bed between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., and wake up just before 6:00 p.m., feeling refreshed and energized.  I should have been an ICU nurse, like my sister.

I love early mornings, and they are a lovely feature of life whether you're a lark rising like the majority of the human race, or whether you've been up all night and are ready for a stretch and a reset.

The perfect morning routine will set you up for success during the rest of the day, and it's especially important to establish good habits if you're an owl trying to survive in a lark's world.  No one wants to feel fuzzy or sluggish.  No one wants to feel that they're running behind and trying to catch up.

Get a jump on the day by considering which of the following suggestions are right for you, and make all of your mornings good.

WARNING:  You will experience side effects of a great morning routine, including:

• better focus
• more energy
• a more positive outlook
• higher productivity
• zest for life
• a flood of new ideas

11 habits of a successful morning

1.  Sleep

Especially if you have to be on the go during daylight hours, sleeping at night is crucial.  Accept that, and make a plan.

• Generally speaking, don't start a new project after 7:00 p.m. or so.

• Let yourself wind down.  Don't do any strenuous exercise or vigorous activity, but you can stretch or take a short walk.  Turn off the screens, enjoy a warm bath or shower, read (for entertainment, not learning), and get your plans and concerns for the next day on paper (a quick list works).

• Get comfortable, set your alarm, and breathe deeply as you go to sleep.

2.  Avoid the snooze button.

You might only intend to relax for five more minutes, but this can easily turn into 15, 20, or more, which will make you late and anxious for the rest of the day.  Plus, the snooze button sends your brain a message – you're reluctant, draggy, grumpy, you hate mornings.  That's no way to begin a good day.

Plan enough time to do your morning routine and make it to work, school, or wherever on time without rushing, set your alarm with that intention, and then get up.  It might not feel great at first, but give yourself a few days and you'll start to enjoy the benefits.

3.  Drink a full glass of water.

You're dehydrated after a full night's sleep, so give your body what it needs to function effectively.  Hydration is a key to good health, so do this first thing.

4.  Move.

Stretch, do some yoga, do star jumps, ride a stationary bike, run in place, etc. in your living/family room, in your pajamas.  This isn't a strenuous workout.  The intention is to become fully awake, get your heart pumping, and enjoy the endorphin rush with about 5-10 minutes of exercise.  It will boost your mood and your focus for the rest of the day.

5.  Tend to self-care.

Now's the time to wash and moisturize your face, do your hair, file your nails, use body lotion, put on makeup if you use it, and get dressed.

6.  Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

They smell so good, and that bit of caffeine helps you feel awake and energized.  Fix your cup just the way you like it, and take a few minutes to sip and connect with your partner, kids, or roommate, or to enjoy being quiet and mindful.  This is not the time to check email or social media!  Leave that for later – after your morning routine.

7.  Eat a healthy breakfast.

This doesn't have to take a lot of time.  Meal prep some egg bites, heat two in the microwave, and enjoy them with some fresh fruit.  Or toast a whole wheat English muffin and top it with chunky peanut butter and shredded carrot.  Or try applesauce overnight oats with some chopped walnuts and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

8.  Journal.

This can be easy too.

• Jot down three things you're thankful for (starting the day with gratitude should be non-negotiable).

• Add one thing you're looking forward to today, which can be as simple as a friend you always see at work, the walk you'll take after dinner with your husband, or the fact that the weather is supposed to be sunny with a cool breeze.

• Add your focus for the day.  This is the priority you want to lavish your energy and creativity on, no matter what other tasks need to happen.  Focus is how goals get accomplished.

9.  Read something inspiring.

This could be your preferred spiritual text (mine is the Bible), or another book that challenges you, gives you encouragement, and makes you think.  Some of my favorites include my own book, Simply Happy, The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, The Book of Joy by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, and Discipline is Destiny* by the modern Stoic philosopher, Ryan Holiday.

* Thank you for supporting this blog.  When you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.

10.  Get out the door.

If you have children, now is when you'll wake them up, prep their lunches, feed them breakfast, gather your stuff together, and go.  Because you took time for your morning routine, you aren't trying to ready yourself for the day at the same time you're dealing with your children.  You'll be more calm, more prepared, and have the energy and resilience to deal with bumps and setbacks that may arise.

Take a last bathroom break and drink another glass of water before you leave your house.  As you drive to your destination (not speeding, but being a courteous driver), add more joy to the morning by playing your favorite music.

11.  Be kind.

Set the tone for the rest of your day by looking for opportunities to show kindness.  This can be as simple as a cheerful greeting, picking up something that someone dropped, holding a door, or letting someone go ahead of you in line.  This isn't just lovely for the people you help – it's powerfully good for you too.

• Many studies show that doing acts of kindness boosts serotonin and dopamine, chemical neurotransmitters that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being and cause the pleasure/reward centers of your brain to light up.

• Kindness reduces cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases oxytocin, a neurotransmitter than can decrease blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and promote a sense of bonding with others.

• Doing kind acts makes you feel useful and competent, which reminds you that you are valuable and worthy.

You can enjoy all of these benefits before you even begin your workday!  Find more inspiration for kindness here.

A good day begins with a good morning routine.

As I know from first-hand experience, morning habits can be the difference between a day of grumbling, complaints, and negativity and a day full of energy, accomplishment, and hope.  Pick and choose from my ideas to design a consistent routine that's perfect for you.  It will be worth your effort.

Remake your habits, and you'll change your mindset, health, and life satisfaction.