A morning routine is a powerful way to kickstart your day and set the tone for a productive and fulfilling day ahead. By intentionally crafting your morning routine, you can create habits that help you feel more energized, focused, and motivated to tackle whatever the day throws your way.
In this blog, I'll take you through six simple steps to create an intentional morning routine that works for you. From setting intentions to incorporating movement and mindfulness, we'll cover everything you need to know to start your day off on the right foot. So, let's dive in and discover how to create a morning routine that helps you achieve your goals and feel your best!
What’s your morning routine?
Is it intentional?
Does it start your day off in a way that propels you toward your goals?
If your immediate response to this question is, “I don’t have a morning routine,” then I challenge you to think again. We all have a morning routine. The real issue is, does it empower you, or does it disempower you?
So, what do I mean by a morning routine?
Well, what do you do first thing in the morning?
Do you wake up to an alarm, or do you wake up naturally?
Do you lie in bed, hitting the snooze button for the next hour, or do you slide out of bed within the first 3 or 4 minutes of waking up?
What is the next thing you do stretch, go to the bathroom, let the dog out, put on your robe?
See, all of this is a routine, and you do it almost every day without even thinking about it; that’s what makes it a routine.
So, the question I pose is this, “Is your morning routine intentional? Does your morning routine help start your day in a positive, energetic way, or does it leave you feeling like you would just rather crawl back into bed?”
“Is your morning routine intentional? Does your morning routine help start your day in a positive, energetic way, or does it leave you feeling like you would just rather crawl back into bed?”
I started an Intentional Morning Routine many years ago, and it has made a tremendous difference in my day. In fact, it has led me to be asked often, “How can you be so bubbly and enthusiastic at 8 in the morning?”
My answer was, “My Intentional Morning Routine.”
Six powerful suggestions for establishing an Intentional Morning Routine that will get every day off to a great start!
1. Go to bed and get out of bed at a set time every day.
This one is so crucial.
Why?
Because your body has a natural time clock called the circadian rhythm. It works out of habit or routine. When you are going to bed and getting up at different times, this throws it for a loop causing your sleep patterns to be thrown off.
Establishing a set bedtime and awake time allows your sleep patterns to get into a nice rhythm. In turn, this helps you get better sleep and wake up more naturally.
Everybody I talk to that gets into a healthy sleep routine just raves about the difference this step alone makes in their daily energy levels.
Plus, it's nearly impossible to have an Intentional Morning without a great nights sleep. night's
2. Get out of bed within 5 minutes of waking up.
Lying in bed only prolongs the inevitable.
You’ve probably felt this before, haven’t you? You wake up and lie there until you fall back to sleep. Then the alarm goes off again, jarring you back into the real world, only this time, you feel sleepier than you did before.
So, if you have time to hit the snooze in the morning, then simply move your alarm up another 5 or 10 minutes. This way, you will be able to complete the last sleep cycle you were enjoying. I promise you that doing this will help you to feel much better.
3. Bounce, stretch, breathe, splash.
You heard me right, jump, stretch, and breathe.
When I first get out of bed, I stand up tall, reach for the ceiling, and stretch as high as I can. Then with my arms still stretched up high, I stand on my toes and begin to bounce at least 50 times.
While I'm stretching and bouncing, I'm also taking in oxygen. To accomplish this, I take in two quick breaths and then exhale once. I repeat this breathing process while I'm bouncing on my toes.
Finally, I finish by splashing cold water on my face which wakes me up better than anything.
4. Drink a full cup of water.
I know many of you are drawn to caffeine in the morning. However, when we get out of bed in the morning, we are usually dehydrated, and our bodies need water.
Drinking a caffeinated drink only dehydrates us more, thus leaving our body craving the water that gives us that natural lift.
5. Express gratitude for another 24 hours to live, love, laugh, learn, and become!
Some people do this before they get out of bed, others before breakfast as a meditation. I do this one while I am showering.
This is my morning prayer, where I simply give thanks to God for blessing me with all the beautiful things in my life and all the wonderful things to come. This is simple to do and always helps me start my day off on the right foot.
6. Create positive intentions for how your day will go.
An Intentional Morning Routine wouldn't be complete without setting your intentions for the day. So I end my prayer with my intentions for how I want the day to go. For example, I might say, “Please and thank you, Lord, for showing me how to …,” and I fill in the blanks based on what is happening in my life.
The reason I say "Please and thank you" is because the Bible says to pray with faith. In other words, pray as if the thing or the help you are asking for is already in existence, and you are waiting for it to enter your life.
Conclusion
Add one or all six of these to your morning ritual and find out how soon people start calling you a morning person.
If you're still feeling stuck, then check out my podcast, "3 Steps to Getting Unstuck and Start Living Intentionally." or "How to Take Immediate Control of Your Life."
If you want to go deeper into how becoming a morning person and creating an Intentional Morning Routine can help you achieve your goals faster than you ever thought possible, check out my book Intentional Mornings - How To Make Your Dreams A Reality One Morning At A Time.
What is your morning ritual? Does it empower you or disempower you?
