“Morning Routine” is such a buzzword, but what exactly IS a morning routine? It is a set of
choices that you make to start your day off with intention and purpose. A morning routine can
allow you to get ahead of the chaos and be prepared if things become chaotic. It can help you
start your day off calmly and purposefully, rather than frazzled and frustrated. Simply put, a
good morning routine can set the stage for the rest of your day.
So, how can you create a successful morning routine? The truth is, there are dozens of books,
blogs and articles about morning routines, and they all differ in much of the content. But there
are some common denominators. In these lie the gold. Here are my Top 5 ways to create a
successful morning routine:

1. Wake up early.
   This one is tough, but essential. Wake up with enough time that you do NOT have to
   rush. Much like “waking up on the wrong side of the bed” can just lead to a domino effect
   of bad consequences, waking up with no time to spare before you speed headfirst into
   the morning rush can lead to mistakes that will impact the rest of your day. There are so
   many things in our days that we can’t control. But you CAN control that you wake up. By
   giving yourself some extra time, you can start your day off with a feeling of calm and set
   yourself up for a great day.
2. Move your body.
   This does not have to be a 10 mile run or a 60 min yoga practice. For some, it may be a
   gentle stretch, for others, it may be a morning run or bike ride. For me, it varies. I love
   when I get in a 30 minute workout first thing in the morning. But that often isn’t possible
   for me. I have to balance out my need for exercise with at least 7 hours of sleep to feel
   at my peak in a day. So depending on what time I was able to fall asleep (hi,
   menopause!), I will sometimes delay my workout until later in the morning, when I have
   more time. However, I always find time for at least a stretch. Moving your body increases
   your energy, improves your mood and gets your blood pumping. It’s key.
3. Plan your day.
   This can mean mentally reviewing your day, writing out your schedule, going over your
   calendar, or selecting your top 3 things that need to be accomplished that day. The
   essential thing here is that you have a plan for your day. Even a rough framework can be
   enough to own your day, rather than your day taking control over you.
4. Drink a big glass of water.
   Sure, you can put in the lemon juice or the vinegar, but simply drinking an entire glass of
   water in the morning starts your digestive system moving, hydrates you after a long night
   and starts to help clear up the brain fog from waking up. I do this after I brush my teeth. 
5. Practice mindfulness.
   This varies by person, but we ALL benefit from starting our day ON purpose. You could
   journal – whether that’s following a daily journal prompt or free writing to clear your mind.

You could take a moment to visualize the kind of day you want to have. You could
review your goals and visualize how you’ll take a step towards them. Or practice
meditation or mantras. You don’t have to do the same thing each morning. In fact, I often
vary what I do. Try them all and see what works for you. The key to this is taking a quiet
moment (and it might only last a moment!) to check in with your mind and body before
giving yourself to the new day.