My Morning Routine To Create a Productive Day
11 Things I Do, Most Mornings...
Routines at their core are a series of habits - good ones lead us towards our goals, get us moving, and motivate us.
Morning routines have started somewhat of a movement. Social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YoutTube have endless videos displaying the perfect way to start the day. Don't get discouraged if your morning routine resembles more of a tornado (yup, that's me this morning) than the picture of the perfectly appointed breakfast spread after a morning of yoga and an hour of meditation, ugh. Morning routines are personal and look differently for each person and each day.
I have always been a morning person (probably from my years of competitive swimming) but for the past 2 years I have started my day 2 hours earlier and I can say absolutely, without a doubt, that those extra hours of "me time" and organization lead me to a more successful day. Here are a few things that have helped me create a more productive morning routine.
- Morning routines start the night before. Tidy up the house, fill and start the dishwasher, pack lunches, lay out workout clothes at night. Give yourself a head start the night before so you can have a fresh start in the morning.
- Have a regular wake-up time. Try changing your rise and shine time 1 hour earlier than your normal time.
- Push snooze. Set the alarm 20 minutes prior to the time you want to get up, for some reason the little luxury of 2 snoozes feels like I got extra sleep?
As Rachel Hollis says, "If you own the morning, then you own the day."
Here Are 11 Things I Do, Most Mornings...
Bonjour! Rise and Shine 4:20am - 4:40am
Yikes, this crazy early morning rise and shine time is difficult and after almost 2 years, I'm sad to say I'm still not totally used to it. However, I am motivated to wake up with (or before) the birds because of the productivity I achieve with this morning habit and how it creates a successful day. There's no more rushing and stressing in the mornings, and for that, it motivates me to continue with this routine. I'm also motivated to wake up this early to make it to my 5am workout class, Warriors at Endorphin.
Tip - Set you alarm 20 minutes earlier than when you need to get up - Allow yourself a few snoozes so your body can be fully awake by the time you need to be up.
Hydrate & Get Dressed 4:40am -4:50am
I always start my day by drinking a glass of water with lemon while I get dressed for my workout. This step is done mostly with my eyes shut:). Remember, it's recommended to drink half of your body weight of water in ounces, so I have to get started right away. Thankfully, Mike is my workout buddy and he typically is up and out of bed and gets my water ready and encourages me to get my butt out of bed, thanks babe. You know what they say, the couple that works out together, stays together!
Tip- Lay your workout clothes on your dresser the night before. This ensures that I will get out the door in time for class, well that and Mike:).
Move my Body 5am - 6am
This is probably one of the most important parts of my morning routine for getting into the right state of mind to create a successful day. The boost of endorphins and the awake feeling I get are totally worth the early wake up time. If waking up to exercise is difficult try working out at Endorphin - they totally hold you accountable. I am obsessed with Warriors, it's a combination class of t-shirt sweat soaking cycling and high intensity interval training - #addicting.
Tip- Find a workout buddy that will hold you accountable to get your butt to class.
Wash my Body & Skincare Prep 6:15am - 6:30am
After working out I jump in the shower and then I start my skincare prep - to learn more about the proper order to apply your skincare products read here.
Make My Bed 6:30am
This step is essential for me, just ask my husband. I seriously can't handle a messy unmade bed, it's the little things in life that matter, right. True confessions- If my morning is crazy and I don't get to making my bed, I will make my bed right before I go to sleep. Tell me I'm not the only one?
Plan My Day & Drink Coffee 6:30am - 6:45am
I love this time of morning when all is calm and quiet in the house and I cozy up on my couch and plan my day. And of course drink coffee, must drink coffee. When planning my day, I divide my task list between work and life, and identify two things that must be done today. I tackle the must-be-done-today tasks first, this way even if my day gets derailed, I know that my most important tasks will get accomplished.
Tip- Write your to-do list and action plan for the day in your smart phone, that way you can refer bact to the list while out and about.
Makeup & Hair, Get Dressed 6:45am - 7:30am
Turn the music up and get ready. Lately, with my new short hair do, I am loving how quickly I can get my hair done and styled - for a little hair inspo for those post-gym mornings, read here. It's summer and I'm all about a fresh dewy makeup look, for my full post on a spring / summer makeup look, read here.
Tidy Up 7:30am - 8:00am
When I leave my home for work, I feel the best when my home is put together. So prior to leaving I tidy things up - I do a load of laundry, sweep the kitchen floors, fluff the livingroom pillows, put away clothes, etc.
Breakfast with Family 8am - 8:30am
Summer morning wake-up times for our littles varies from day to day - some monings they wake up early for swim team or camp and others they sleep in. I love and cherish our breakfast together. It's a time where we discuss our day, chat about all of the things and, most of the time, laugh. We also talk about their chores for the day, insert moaning and groaning here. Having a teen and a tween, we've taken a new approach to chores. Instead of rewarding them after they've done the chores, this summer the motto is Chores to Earn and Keep Your Privelages (ie, phones, screen time and friend time). So everyday if their chores haven't been done by the end of the day -they lose their privelages for the next day. So far, so good.
Tip - My littles like different kinds of breakfast, one loves pancakes, the other loves eggs and bacon. But I am not a short order cook, so I alternate who gets to choose what we make for breakfast.
Antlers and Rose Blog 8:30 - 9:30am
Mornings our always my most productive time of the day, and this is where I have carved out time for my beloved blog, Antlers and Rosè.
Au Revoir! 9:30am
Out the door for work with my Yeti water bottle, packed lunch, and feeling like I've already accomplished a ton!
My morning routine is always evolving and I'm trying to implement journaling and meditation into it.
What are your goals for your morning routine?
xx, Brook