What would you think makes a morning routine a "healthy morning routine"? Is it eating fruit the moment you wake up? Is it how you wake up? What constitutes as healthy?
Well, honestly, healthy can mean different things to different people. But, here we want to create a softer, more desirable life where we wake up fueled and immediately nourished. That is our "healthy"...
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Right? I mean, imagine waking up early with the sun feeling *actually* rested, excited, and fulfilled. How would your day be different? How would your life be different?
I can tell you one thing, the moment you find the morning bliss of peace, serenity, and fulfillment, you won't be going out drinking super late... You won't be jeopardizing the most pure part of your precious day.
And ultimately, that is the key right there: the mornings are the purest part of our day. Our minds have been washed with restful sleep, our bodies feel revitalized, and our spirit is listening...
So, this healthy morning routine will help you find balance in your mornings (and yes, that includes what you do in the evenings), help you take advantage of the purity of your mind and spirit, and guide you closer to peace and fulfillment.
This post is all about a healthy morning routine!
Healthy Morning Routine Rituals
1. Wake up at the same time (early!)
Calling all my women, waking up at the same time every day is critical for a healthy morning routine. For us, to get our bodies into alignment with our circadian rhythm not only helps our sleep, but it also helps balance our hormones.
Women's bodies are sensitive to sleep deprivation, sleep abnormalities, etc. So, to put it into balance we can wake up at the same time everyday and blissfully glide right into alignment (follow these tips for waking up early).
I started waking up at 5AM everyday (minus one day here or there) and it has totally changed my life. It was like putting that one final puzzle piece into place that made the whole picture come together.
To get into a rhythm, use our morning routine checklist! It is SO helpful to get your body and mind aligned. I use one of these virtually every morning, plus the extra journal page is my fav!
2. Your morning starts at night...
The ONLY way I have found to have a successful, and actually "healthy", morning routine really depends on how your night goes...
You could wake up at 5AM and have an elaborate morning routine that looks "healthy" from the outside, but if you went to sleep at 3AM how "healthy" is that really?!
These tips for better sleep are a great start to aligning your night so you set yourself up for a healthy morning routine. Plus, they also balance your hormones so it's a win win!
For those of us that enjoy a night out, I encourage you to be intentional about it. When I go out I have a very distinct vision for how I want it to go, which includes taking into consideration how I want my morning to go.
3. Have your planner
A healthy morning routine is one that plans! Knowing what you are getting into for the day, what you need to get done, what meetings are on the to-do list, etc will sky rocket your day.
I swear by my planner, I write in it literally every single day. It keeps my life organized. Almost like having a birds-eye view of my life everyday.
So, in the morning, maybe when your coffee is brewing, open your planner and write down what your main priorities are. When I do this, I can tell my day becomes 1000% more productive and efficient. And, who doesn't love that?!
4. Morning routine movement
Something as little as taking a walk around the neighborhood, into the trees, or to the beach will get sun on your face, fresh air, and get your blood moving.
I live close to the beach, and the mornings I get up and go surfing or go walk the beach I can tell my body is THANKING me all day long. My mind feels sharper and I get more productive throughout the rest of the day.
Again, for my women, working out in the morning can help align your circadian rhythm. In a study, it showed that morning workouts led to better sleep quality, helped people fall asleep faster, and more!
5. Tell your husband you love him
It's just like that idea that having fresh cut flowers in the house increases compassion, well, making a morning habit of telling your husband you love him will only bring you joy and pleasure.
Studies show that expressing gratitude actually decreases depression and anxiety, and improves your overall mood and positive emotions.
So, keep this in your healthy morning routine because sometimes we can do more than just eat fruit and workout to add to our overall wellness. Plus, it makes for a softer, more compassionate life that we just can't pass up.
6. Read a book that develops you
How do get a more desirable life? Well, it must be developed! Even if it is just one page a day in the morning, read a book that helps in your development. Whether that is in business, work, relationships, spirituality, health, the list goes on!
Those great books that just gulp you up can be the most life-changing experiences. And guess what? You can read them every morning to develop your desired, healthy lifestyle.
Honestly, this healthy morning routine ritual is not my strong suit. I read a bit of my books in the morning sometimes, but I definitely can get better about this. For me, it depends on the book. I need that overly-consuming type of read...
7. Morning coffee ritual
Listen up, the best part of your healthy morning routine will be your coffee/beverage. Now, some people suggest that a morning coffee is not "healthy". But, studies show that is actually helps with inflammation, alertness, and cognitive abilities.
I mean you get that right?
The book 5AM Club argues that coffee is a brain-food when consumed in the morning and in moderation. Which I think I like to agree to that!
If you do not like coffee, some alternatives are Rishi tea powders which come in caffeinated matchas or chais, or other non caffeinated versions.
8. Gentle clean
A study shows that clutter in your home can actually increase your cortisol stress hormone. When I have a mess, or even just feel my house is messy, I will immediately go on a cleaning spree...
I swear by the end my mind is clear, I am less stressed, and I am way more focused.
A gentle clean could be simply putting the dishes away, wiping down the counters, cleaning up the living room, or even just taking a shower.
9. Journal/Morning pages
Some call these "morning pages" or something similar. Basically, morning pages are right when you wake up you do a stream of consciousness onto the paper for 3 whole pages.
In the book, The Artist's Way, she talks about how this practice increases creativity and ingenuity in the rest of your day. Plus, it releases "mental clutter" that you might have been storing up.
Or you can also do a journal session in the morning, tied with your planner as you plan your day. A perfect way to release mental tension and prepare for a productive nourishing day.
10. Bathe in the sun
How often do you get up, get ready really quick, then hop into the car and go to work? Then, you are at lunch you step outside and realize that is the first time you are actually in the sunshine for longer than 30 seconds?
Getting sunshine in the morning helps with our circadian rhythms as well (hello ladies!). Stand in the sunshine and take some breaths... Just a grounding moment that can soften your day.
11. Breathe
Lastly, make a conscious effect to take deep breaths. Something I notice for myself when I am going through my day is I almost forget to breathe, or rather I forget that I am breathing!
The breath is a beautiful tool that slows us down, softens our mind and bodies, and brings a resounding peace.
Whether you take your breaths with your coffee, right when you wake up, or on the drive to work, this practice can begin to shape your day into a softer, more desirable experience.