5 Morning Routine Tips for a Productive Day

There’s no such thing as the “best morning routine” since it really varies for everyone. Usually, I would say that I’m a morning person, but it’s been so hard to get out of bed lately! Not sure if it’s the transitional weather, stress, or a mix of everything. All I know is, hitting the snooze button has turned into a bad habit that I needed to break.

So, I started challenging myself to update my morning routine. I had one—several, actually—that worked for a little while before I resorted back to my usual ways of doing other random things like checking emails right when I get up. 

It takes effort, but I find that when I set intentions and stick to my morning routine, I’m in a much calmer mindset.

Like anything worth improving, creating a morning routine that works for you may take practice. I’ve experimented with different wake-up times, switched the order of my to-dos, and tried different alarm clocks (now, I just use my phone) before landing on this schedule. The key is allowing yourself to go through trial and error to find what works best for your lifestyle.

Read on for 5 morning routine tips for a more productive day.

5 Morning Routine Tips for a More Productive Day

1. Make the Bed

6:30AM

Out of all the morning routine tips, one of the most important ones to stick to is getting a good night’s sleep. I aim to get at least 7.5 hours of shut-eye, sleeping at 11PM and waking up at 6:30AM.

The first thing I do every morning is make my bed. It’s a small win that goes a long way and can motivate you to accomplish other tasks, too. There’s something about having a tidy space that just feels nice.

Having a comfortable bed set makes all the difference to your quality of sleep. Mine is from Sunday Citizen, and I seriously couldn’t love it more! I have the Woodland Comforter in the Sahara Tan color—it’s made with a plush yet breathable microfiber fabric that feels like a cloud.

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For pillows, I have the Snug Sham Set in the same color and microfiber fabric that covers my standard 20” x 26” pillows. I went with the Casablanca Throw Pillows which have a Moroccan-inspired print but still matches the set since it’s the same color scheme.

To top it off, my Lumbar Pillow completes the bed set. It’s filled with memory foam, shaped like a rectangle, and is perfect for hugs or a soft place to rest your head or back. Best of all, these bedding items are machine washable and will always keep its shape, softness, and fluffiness.

2. Meditate

6:30-6:45AM

For an overthinker like me, meditation is hard. But taking a moment to do so can carry so many benefits like increasing self-awareness, focus, and positive thinking. 

Some people like to sit in a lotus position while others prefer to lay down for meditation. Most of the time, I go with the latter and use an acupressure mat. These mats have several hundred plastic points and may look scary, but like acupuncture, they can stimulate pressure points and help improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, increase energy levels, and so much more. The one I have is from Bed of Nails, and I use it during meditation to get the benefits of both at one time. 

During meditation, I roll on a relaxing Saje essential oil on my wrists and put on my GingerChi Jade Eye Mask. It’s a whole process! Then, I use either use an app like Calm or my Muse Headband, which is a multi-sensor device that can give you real-time feedback on your brain activity, heartbeat, breathing, and movement to help you practice mindfulness.

3. Drink Lemon Water

6:45-7:15AM

You probably know how important it is to drink water, but here’s another reminder. It’s especially important to get hydrated in the morning to help with digestion and your metabolism throughout the day. 

After I brush my teeth, I always have purified water with lemon. Why? Not only does it taste better in my opinion but it can also help improve skin, reduce inflammation, and give you a dose of vitamin C and potassium.

Sometimes, I’ll have a ginger honey tea with lemon or switch it up and have matcha tea by Shayna’s Kitchen (I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker). Next, I always have breakfast and try to go for something healthy like avocado toast.

If you’re not really a breakfast person, IQBARs are great as a light snack. It’s keto, vegan, paleo-friendly, and has clean-label ingredients shown to be good for both the brain and body. 

4. Go for a Walk

7:15-7:45AM

These days, I’m all about comfort and versatility. I am living in the Sunday Citizen Cosset Relaxed Pullover and matching Lazy Jogger since I can wear it at home or easily throw on a jacket, sneakers with it and step out. And, of course, don’t forget a face mask—I love this adjustable one from 41 Winks.

I try to go for a walk on my terrace if it’s not raining or snowing. My apartment in New York City is right on the East River, and somehow, the view of the calming water never gets old. No matter where in the world you are, just stepping out for a bit to appreciate the beauty of nature can make a huge difference in mood.

If you work from home, it’s easy to skip the getting-ready process but doing this can change your frame of mind and help boost productivity. 

5. Write in a Gratitude Journal

7:45-8:15AM

Every morning (and night) I aim to write in my Five Minute Journal, which is the simplest way to journal. The name says it all. Because it only takes five minutes, it makes me more inclined to do it. The journal includes prompts that ask what you’re grateful for, what would make today great and your daily affirmations. 

This is a highly effective and easy way to overcome any negative thoughts. By thinking about what you’re grateful for, I feel like it can magically overshadow negative emotions. Journaling can also help increase focus, reduce stress, awaken your creativity, and allow you to realize your values and purpose.

To wrap up my morning routine, I go over my plans for the day and write down my to-do list in my Productivity Planner, then review my digital calendar, and get to work!

Starting the morning off on the right note can set the whole tone for the day. This may seem like a lot but try out which morning routine tips work best for your lifestyle, then create a consistent schedule to stick to. Once you get into the flow of it, it’ll get easier!

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