Much of what I do throughout the day is predictable, but I can’t control most other things like the weather, mother nature, or other people’s behaviors.
This is why I love my morning routine because it makes me feel like I have a sense of control and balance in my life.
It wasn’t always this way though because, in the past, I would start a routine in the morning, but abandon it after a few weeks because I was bored, tired, lazy, or it just felt too hard.
It all changed when I decided to create a morning routine by simply meditating each morning for a minute. Over time, I built on this exercise until I had a routine that I was satisfied with and was able to stick to easily every morning.
Now, I have a routine that gets me started each day with more energy and focus. Here are my 7 essentials to create an easy, mindful morning routine that you’ll stick to.
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1. Get A Good Night’s Rest For A Fresh Morning Start.
Your morning routine actually starts the night before. I try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night, but how much you will get will be different for you.
I also try to sleep at the same time each night, except on the weekends. These tiny changes in my night time routine help me get my morning off to a great start. At the very least, it gives me enough energy to get up out of bed and face the day.
Extra tip: You might want to keep all of your electronic devices as far away from you as possible so that you minimize your exposure to blue light, which has been known to affect sleep pattern.
2. Express Gratitude Before Getting Out Of Bed In The Morning.
Before getting out of bed, I express gratitude for the little things that I have, like my comfy bed, a roof over my head, my health, and my family. It helps me feel present and humble for the things I already have in my life.
When I did a gratitude challenge for 30 days, I noticed gentle but powerful shifts in my mindset and the way that I feel.
It helped me realize how connected and dependent we are to each other. I looked forward to the little things in my life, like enjoying my cup of coffee, watching a little bird hop around my front yard, and petting my dog.
Gratitude is a great way to bring your focus to the present moment and is a loving & humbling act that you can practice anywhere.
3. Don’t Look At Your Phone First Thing In The Morning.
I’m guilty of looking at my phone first thing in the morning. Until I realized that it was my way of avoiding my thoughts and feelings.
I would check my social accounts, the news, and email right when I got up in the morning and the next thing you know, 20 minutes or more have gone by.
What helped me was taking a pause before reaching for my phone and asking myself, “What do I need to check that’s so important?”
I also used Jim Kwik’s method, the author of Limitless, of writing random thoughts on a piece of paper or a notebook before grabbing my phone or acting on an impulse.
I told myself I could check, whatever it was I wanted to check, later on when I have free time. Usually, I didn’t even bother to check what I wrote or it wasn’t that important after all.
Avoiding your phone first thing in the morning is a good way to start the day without any distraction and also helps you stay present, clear, and focused.
4. Do A Mini Meditation For A Clearer Mind Each Morning.
I meditate every morning for 15 minutes. It wasn’t always this way, though. When I first started meditating, I found it really hard not only to meditate but to stick to a routine each morning.
I knew that it was beneficial, from all the books and articles I read, so decided to give it a try. I did only 1 minute each morning at first and then built my way up to the 15-minute meditation that I do every day.
It worked and I’m able to meditate consistently most days of the week. Not only that, my mind feels more clear, I don’t obsess over my thoughts as much as I used to.
My favorite meditations right now are the ones on loving-kindness, based on mindfulness practices. Meditations not only help to deepen my awareness, but they also set my mood for the rest of the day.
A mini meditation each morning can help you get it off to a great start and also clear your mind and help you be more present.
5. Say A Morning Prayer Before You Get Up.
Each morning, I say a little prayer before I get up. It’s a gentle way to start my day and be present and grateful for what I have.
No matter what you believe in, you can pray for anything. You can say what’s on your mind, you can ask for protection for yourself & your family, or you can simply ask for help.
A morning prayer is not only a good practice to have each morning, it’s a great way to start your day, connect with the mysterious, be present, and let go of things you can’t control.
6. Get Your Body Moving As Early In The Day As You Can.
Exercising as early in the day as you can is an essential part of a morning routine. Before you scroll away, hear me out.
I wasn’t always great at exercising in the morning, or even having an exercise routine at all. It always felt like a chore or something that I could put off for later.
As the years went by, I started feeling the pains of getting older and I knew that part of it had to do with not getting enough exercise each day.
I also knew that it has so many health benefits and I wanted to be around as strong & healthy as I possible can for myself and my family.
This became my big reason why I needed to exercise each day and now I do it most days of the week. Getting your body moving each morning in a way that feels good for you is not only a great way to start your day but also has the added benefit of good health in mind, body, and spirit.
7. Eat Your Breakfast Without Distraction.
If you can help it, eat your breakfast without distraction. This means putting all your gadgets away like your phone, tv, radio, or paper.
I used to eat my breakfast while watching the news, scrolling the internet, and checking my social media accounts.
I found this not only distracting but it also took away the pleasure of enjoying my food. I slip up now and again, but I do make it a habit to put anything away that might distract me from my meal and make it the center of my attention.
Because if you think about it, if you’re distracted while you’re eating your food, are you even really there? Eating your breakfast without distraction is really an act of love for yourself.
It’s a simple act that reminds you how valuable your time is and how important you really are. When you can, eat your breakfast without distraction as a way to be present and mindful every morning.
Last Thoughts On Mindful Morning Routines.
We live in a time where we’re rushing from one activity to another without any breaks. A mindful morning routine is not just a great way to start your day, it’s a practice that keeps you present with what’s in front of you and creates a life that feels more meaningful.
More Ways To Start A Morning Routine
If you want to more ideas on creating routines, check out an article I wrote about establishing healthy morning routines.
If you’re a beginner to mindfulness, read my blog post titled, “What is mindfulness?”
What do you think? Would you try any of my tips? Leave a comment below. I’d love to know!
