Mornings bring a sense of renewal and peace. But for us moms, the alarm going off (or child standing over you) can bring distraction, rushing, and overwhelm. That stress then plays into our health decisions and wellness the rest of the day.
The goal of this post is to offer you simple solutions for a good morning routine. Embrace the day no matter what season of motherhood you’re in. With these quick steps, you can create a morning routine filled with a more energy, more peace. And more moments to love.
A good morning routine for success
This time of year, you’ve likely been inundated with posts around the idea of creating new habits and “how to be successful.” And while it’s a great time to jump in and join the momentum, many habits seem…well, a bit drastic.
Especially for moms.
For example, if your child is still waking at night, setting your alarm for 5 am probably isn’t the best idea.
In fact, don’t do it to yourself, mama.
Optimal sleep is also important factor for morning success.
I do think there is value in developing some form of routine, however. Especially one you can keep. That’s why I’m suggesting simple steps that fit your morning whether you’ve been up all night or wake before the kids.
And you don’t even have to be a true “morning person” to be successful with this routine.
Mornings affect your well-being
Why are we talking about morning routines?
Because mornings set the tone for our day and directly affect every aspect of health and wellness.
Think about it. Those days that you struggle out of bed. You likely run around feeling frustrated, which shapes your mental wellbeing.
Being rushed then causes you to grab a not -so- nutritious breakfast and rely on that extra cup o’ joe rather than hydrating your body with water. You continue to feel stressed, and this snowballs into unhealthy choices the rest of the day.
A routine can change this.
According to Northwestern Health, routines can greatly improve your health. I know personally, adding very simple things into our mornings help with
- Productivity
- Remaining in control (ie. less reactivity)
- Having a positive attitude
And a quick reminder– productivity is not always about how many boxes you can check before 9 am. Especially in motherhood. It’s also about
- being intentional
- staying present
- feeling peacefulness–or at least some moments of peacefulness 😉
Let’s take some pressure off what the perfect morning routine should look like.
Here’s five morning routine ideas that promote your well-being. And that, in turn, sets your whole household up for a morning of success.
5 Morning Routine Ideas
1. Wash your face
I always remember my grandfather saying how you should “splash your face in the morning.” He believed in starting the day with respect to your body by washing your hands, face and feeling refreshed.
And there’s actually some research behind that.
Splashing your face a couple times with cool water promotes blood flow up to face making you feel:
- more energized
- less puffy
- more awake
Why not turn this simple action into self-care that will benefit you all day long?
Follow this simple routine (along with brush teeth) and you’ll feel clean, brightened and ready for the day.
2. Read Scripture
Another easy way to set the tone for the day is to read scripture in the morning. Feeding your mind truth is key to perspective and remaining encouraged.
Some easy ways to do this are:
- Have bible handy in the kitchen (Include your kids! This is our favorite for the family)
- Download the Bible App and press play (it will read to you!!)
- Print out or save bible verses to your phone.
One fail proof way I add this into my morning routine is to meditate over a verse while washing my face. Then, even if I’m unable to read the bible, I still have a verse to rely on throughout the day.
I received these pocket size cards last year as a gift, and I highly recommend starting off the day in proverbs.
Keep this tin on your bathroom shelf, grab a card, and prop it up on the mirror.
Easy!
And talk about turning self-care into soul care. You honor your body while keeping your eyes (and mind) focused on the day ahead.
3. Turn on Music
Looking to set a good rhythm in the morning?
Having light music playing is a great way.
Music can make you feel:
- more upbeat
- less stressed
- more connected to the tasks at hand
And it creates a form of communication (and blankets some emotions) that could otherwise be a frantic time.
And that’s no coincidence. Studies show music can induce happiness.
So, dock your phone on the counter and turn to encouraging radio.
And by doing this, you’re also less likely to scroll in the mornings. So many benefits!
4. Diffuse oils
Awake your senses with essential oils! Aromatherapy is a phenomenal way to jumpstart the day. Research shows you can enhance energy and improve focus. All at a touch of a button!
I love my color changing diffuser to set the mood with light and mist.
My top oils for adding happiness, energy and vibrancy to a morning are:
- Citrus
- Peppermint
- Lemon
- Cinnamon
If you don’t have a diffuser, I highly recommend this portable Refresh spray. Such a hassle free, safe way to enjoy essential oils.
You could also create positive ambience by lighting your favorite candle.
5. Eat a balanced breakfast
You’ve heard it over and over, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Just as you need to wake up, so does your body. And your mind!
Have you ever thought about how a sluggish mind could lead to sluggish actions?
Breakfast boosts that metabolism and supports yours overall well-being.
As a guide it’s important to include several of the following in the morning:
- Whole grains
- Lean protein
- dairy
- Fruits and vegetables
Fast options are key in the morning.
Examples include
- Oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit
- Toast with Egg or peanut butter
- Yogurt with fruit and granola
- Smoothie with fruit, veggies and yogurt or protein powder
Even if it’s a cereal morning, I like to keep turkey sausage on hand to add a bigger boost of protein.
Need other ideas? Set yourself up for success with these great make-ahead options:
And please, please, don’t forget water!
Start hydrating your body immediately to avoid mild dehydration, which is a common trigger of daytime fatigue.
A Good Morning Routine for Success
My hope is that these five easy steps eliminate some stress and act as stepping stones to a better morning routine. I’ve put them in numerical order, but here’s the beauty– you can piece these together any way that works for you!
Because what are the best habits?
Those that you can consistently do.
So whether you woke up early to enjoy coffee or frantically roll out of bed, you can be intentional and set an important precedent for the day:
Including yourself as you care for others.
Make it a good morning, mama!
Fuller Heart
I’d love to know– Have I convinced you to add in these steps into your morning? Which one do you look forward to the most each day? Let’s start a conversation below because I know we all need a little extra support in the mornings 🙂
And don’t forget about the power and benefits of gratitude. Please see my post on how to practice gratitude.
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