My Simple Morning Routine

For the past few months I have kept consistent with a very simple morning routine. I thought it was worth sharing because it has transformed my days. I feel so much calmer and truly love my mornings. It’s nothing fancy or unique, but a few small changes have made a large impact in how I feel each day. Let’s face it, the world feels overwhelming but I think we can choose our mindset and set ourselves up to see and feel the good in each day.

There is something about this very simple routine that has really shifted my perspective and has brought about so much calm.

MORNING LIGHT

As soon as my feet hit the floor and I’ve brushed my teeth, I get natural light in my eyes. I do this before turning any other lights on. So great for your circadian rhythm to have morning light as soon as you wake up. In fact, it helps with falling asleep later that night. If I wake up before the sun comes up, I just head out as soon as it does.

I am also very consistent with going to be by 9:30 pm and waking up between 5:30 and 6:30 am each morning. Unless of course we have late hockey games which sometimes keep us out until 10:45. I find the more consistent I am with sleep times, the far better my sleep actually is.

LEMON WATER

After that I head to the kitchen to make my warm lemon water. I just squeeze half a lemon and add a pinch of good quality salt. The frother, which I’ve had unopened in my drawer for over a year, is a game changer. I use it daily. Lemon is also wonderful for the gut prior to drinking or eating anything else. Takes no more than 30 seconds to prepare so it’s an easy habit to incorporate.

I also prepare my tea. More on that below.

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

While I drink my lemon water I write in my gratitude journal. I think it’s really important to stay in a place of gratitude. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows, but there is always so much to be grateful for. A warm bed, a beautiful sunrise . . . a call from a friend. I spend about five minutes reflecting and writing and then pick up my book. I also pray and set my intentions for the day.

*By the way, a true game changer has not been picking up my phone in the morning. I leave it in the bathroom where it was charging during the night. This all happens before I let the world in. This morning routine is sacred and the phone takes away from that for me.

A CUP OF TEA

By now my tea is ready. One of the biggest shifts we’ve made is switching from coffee to tea. I never ever thought I would do that. I have always loved and adored my morning cup of coffee. And while there is nothing wrong with coffee, I found that it didn’t necessarily love me. Trying to focus on gut health and it’s been a game changer. But this morning routine applies whether you drink coffee or tea or neither.

*If you do find that coffee could be harsh on your system, be sure to look into mold free brands.

AT LEAST 10 PAGES

I have adopted the ten pages rule. Of course most mornings, I end up reading more, but I make sure it’s at least 10. It feels light years better than opening my phone. After I read it’s usually time to help our son prep his lunch and I empty the dishwasher (I do a few tasks I like to check off the list).

PICK UP MY PHONE

Once I’ve done that, I pick up my phone and play Connections. Have you played? We love it in this house. A quick word puzzle before looking at Instagram or emails.

MOVE MY BODY

Lastly, I move my body. While I prefer to walk outside, I will do the walking pad if the weather isn’t cooperating. This morning it was raining so I did a 30 minute walk inside. It’s a mood booster and feels good to have movement. Many times I will eat breakfast before my walk. I try to get 30 grams of protein in each meal.

Then it’s straight to work which means I am writing a blog post, shooting something or creating content for Instagram.

None of this is unique or different, but this simple routine has been so powerful. The other day I overslept and wasn’t able to do all of this. I felt off most of the day. These simple habits have become a sacred part of my morning and I feel less anxious and more intentional about my day. Have you adopted any new morning habits that have positively impacted your day?