How to Create a Mindful Morning Routine to Kickstart Your Day

1. Start the night before 

It may sound silly, but prepping for your morning the night before helps you ease into the day much better. Getting quality sleep is an important part of having a productive and stress-free day. Make sure you’re getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night and avoid drinking caffeine after 12 PM as it may keep you awake longer than you’d like. You’d be surprised how refreshed you feel in the morning by making small adjustments to your nighttime routine too.

2. Avoid using technology 

I’m sure you’ve heard this tip before, but try to avoid using technology or looking at your phone for the first hour of the day. Mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or Twitter in the morning isn’t the most productive way to start the day. Or maybe you have a habit of checking your work email first thing in the morning and become overwhelmed with notifications as soon as you open your eyes. This can cause your morning to start off stressful and frantic, which we want to avoid. 

Put your phone on silent or try putting it on the other side of your room so you’re not tempted to reach for it as soon as you wake up. 

3. Practice gratitude 

Starting our days with gratitude can be as simple as reciting what we’re grateful for to ourselves or writing it down in a journal or on a notepad. Practicing gratitude is one of the most impactful habits we can incorporate into our routine. When we’re actively acknowledging things that are good in our lives, it leaves room for more good things to happen and leaves us feeling more positive emotions. 

4. Journal 

Another amazing exercise to incorporate into your routine is journaling. There are so many different ways you can journal—from a journaling prompt to letting your thoughts freely flow onto the paper—all are beneficial. If you’re feeling any sort of stress or anxiety, journaling through it can help release those feelings. It’s also a great way for you to reflect and set your intentions for the day ahead. What do you plan to accomplish today? What are you grateful for? What are your intentions today and how do you want to feel? There’s no right or wrong way to journal, just write. 

To help get you started, download the journal prompt here to incorporate it into your mindful morning routine. 

5. Meditate 

There are so many benefits to meditation. Meditation can help ease any mental clutter and bring you back to the present moment. Staying present in our day-to-day is important so we’re able to really enjoy each moment and not worry about the stresses and worries of tomorrow. If you’re new to meditation, try starting with just a few minutes and gradually work your way up to more time. Guided meditations are also great for beginners looking to dive their way into meditation practice.  

6. Exercise 

What better way to literally start your day off on the right foot than with exercise. Exercise gets your endorphins going and gives you energy for the rest of the day. Aside from that, it can be a huge stress reliever. If you’re feeling anxious or just want to get that blood flowing for the day, grab a pair of men’s running shoes or women’s sneakers and get out and get moving. If you’re not much of a runner or don’t like a hard workout, incorporating slower movements like yoga into your day is just as effective. 

7. Fuel your body 

A good diet is the cornerstone of success. While many may choose to skip breakfast, it can make the world of a difference in your productivity for the rest of the day. If you’re not usually a breakfast person, try something simple like a smoothie or overnight oats. While we’re busy fueling our minds, we can’t forget to fuel our bodies, too! 

8. Positive affirmations 

What we say, we start to feel. This is the power of positive affirmations. Starting our days reciting or writing down positive affirmations is a powerful way to start bringing the energy you want to attract into your life. Practice this daily and you’ll start to see a huge shift in your energy, emotions and feelings. To keep the affirmations going throughout the day, download the wallpapers here and here, so you’re reminded to stay grounded and present every time you look at your phone. 

Everyone’s mindful morning routine may look different—even yours may change from day to day depending on how you’re feeling. Regardless of what exercises you choose to incorporate into your routine, making sure you’re starting your day with the right intentions is the easiest way to see a positive change in your day-to-day life. Listen to your body and fuel it with positivity.