9 Simple Ways for Moms to Kick-Start Their Mornings and Feel Great
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Hey mama! Are you thinking of starting a morning routine? Or know that changing your morning routine could help the whole flow of your day? Seriously, it can be life-changing.
If you’re like me, the first time the idea of a morning routine was brought up it resulted in a very large eye roll.
I was 3 months pregnant and annoyed that my husband didn’t understand that sleep was my top priority.
Since then, I’ve realized just how powerful a morning routine is. I’ll admit I didn’t adopt one until my daughter was about 3 months old- but when I did, it made life so much easier and made me much less of a grouch- which is a win-win in my book!
Let’s dive into some morning routine ideas that every mama can get started with today, even if you’re not a morning person!
Related Article: 12 Tips to Wake Up Earlier Without Feeling Tired
1. Spend a few minutes out in the fresh air.
Getting outside for a moment in the morning while taking a few deep breaths can help you start the day in a calm frame of mind and think about the day ahead. There’s even some cool science that certain smells in nature can boost your feel-good hormones. Bonus points for getting some sunshine in, too- although it will probably depend on what time you get up and what time of year it is.
2. Take 10 deep breaths.
Deep breathing is amazing for the nervous system and helps keep your body (such as hormones) balanced and out of chronic stress mode. This helps immensely with getting ready for the day.
Deep breathing is like a massage for your nerves. Take a moment to breathe and appreciate your body’s abilities in the morning or throughout the day.
3. Read something for 5 minutes.
Continual learning and brain stimulation are essential for feeling energized. Many moms get the feeling that their lives are stuck on repeat every day- this is a great way to alleviate some of that feeling.
Grab a favorite book, open up an article on your tablet you’ve been wanting to read, or browse through a magazine. No matter what you choose- make it a goal for it to be something educational that you’re interested in.
4. Stretch for 5 minutes.
Take a moment to loosen up after a night of rest- even if it’s just five minutes. Stretching feels good and is a great way to warm up for the day. Want to do more? The mornings are a great time to sneak in a workout. Try a 10-minute HIIT or yoga workout.
5. Grab a journal.
Open to a blank page in a notebook or jump on your laptop and start writing. You can write freely or have a topic in mind.
Some of my favorite structured journal topics are gratitude, reviewing the month or week, or creating a to-do list. They all can help your thoughts feel less scattered throughout the day while you’re keeping track of all the things. After journaling, moving forward with your day with some clarity is amazing!
Related article: How to Be Productive When You’re a Mom That Works from Home
6. Have a gratitude practice.
A gratitude practice is my favorite part of my morning and daily routine. I open my planner every morning when I get up and write down three things I’m feeling grateful for. At first, I’ll admit this was hard, but with time, I’ve learned to recognize all the little things in my life that I am very grateful for.
There are a lot of ways to express gratitude. You can write them down, share them with your family (or tell them thank you if it’s related to their actions) or simply take a moment to think about them- whatever works best for you. No matter which way you choose, make sure you take a moment to really feel those feelings of gratitude in your morning routine!
7. Drink a full glass of water.
Taking a moment to rehydrate your body in the morning helps put you in the mindset of self-care and health. Fill a glass of water the night before and place it near your sink or nightstand (or anywhere else you’ll remember), and make a point to drink it first thing in the morning.
Not a big fan of water? Try adding some lemon or other natural flavor that you enjoy.
8. Mindfully eat your breakfast.
When it comes to breakfast, how often do we simply grab what’s convenient and shove it down on our way out the door? Taking time to enjoy our meals is great for our stress levels and helps us feel better connected to our eating habits. This makes it easier to avoid issues like overeating and comfort eating because we get satisfaction from the food that we choose to eat.
Sit down with your breakfast or a beverage of your choice in the morning and take a moment to really enjoy it. Savor the flavors and think about the ways it is nourishing your body. Connection to what we consume is huge for our health!
9. Meditate.
No morning routine ideas guide would be complete without meditation. This can be as simple as a few deep breaths, being guided, or anything in between. Taking a moment to be still does wonders for our mental and physical health. Some people have a hard time sitting still and focusing- and these are the people that would benefit the most!
Just like anything worth doing, it takes time for the body and mind to get used to a new habit- so be patient and have grace with yourself. Having a “calm mind” isn’t actually the goal of meditation- what’s more important is being able to bring awareness to the thoughts that are going through your mind.
Related article: 6 Productivity Tips for Work at Home Moms Who Blog
10. Bonus tips.
- Get your kids involved! Kids (and babies!) love routines, which are such great habits for them to learn at a young age! My daughter is already totally in sync with my morning routine at 2 years old and brings it to my attention if we miss a part of it.
- Don’t worry about it being perfect. There’s no such thing as a perfect morning routine. Motherhood isn’t perfect- if you miss a day or find 5 minutes is all you can manage in the long term- that’s okay!
- Find an accountability partner- want to maximize your morning routine? Get someone to join you- whether it’s a family member or a friend you simply share your plan and goals with.
- Avoid those habits that lead you down the rabbit hole of stress right away in the morning. This usually includes social media, checking emails, and more.
What are you waiting for?
After over a year of having a morning routine, I can’t imagine life without it. In truth, I can’t recommend it enough.
When some weeks get busy, and I miss my routine for a few days, I can feel how it affects my mental, physical, and emotional health. I tend to feel more sluggish and a lot more irritable.
There are a lot of great reasons for starting a morning routine, so the real question is, when will you get started?
Starting your day with intention sets you up for success. It will help your stress levels and allow you to feel less irritable and disorganized when it comes to work life, family life, and everything in between.
What’s one morning routine tip that you can start adding today?
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