How to Assemble a Productive Morning Routine in 2023

A man opening up the windows to start his morning routine

A healthy morning routine can make all the difference in managing your day. With New Year’s just around the corner, there is no better time than now to start thinking of SMART goals and healthy practices to incorporate into your daily life.

As a reminder, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Keep this acronym in mind when constructing your morning routine, as it will hold you accountable while setting your goals. Determining what works best for you is the key to assembling a productive morning routine.

Here are 6 tips that can help you build a better morning routine.

#1 – Lay the groundwork for your mornings

Set yourself up for a successful day by preparing a little bit the night before. This does not have to be a set of tedious chores to get done before you go to bed, but just a few quick tasks that will make your morning much more effortless.

Some examples include:

  • Jot down a quick to-do list for the next day.
  • Pick out (or even layout) your clothes for the morning.
  • Pack up your (or your kiddo’s) things that you may need for work or school the next day.
  • Prep items for breakfast the next day, like overnight chia seed pudding or overnight oats.

#2 – Wake up feeling refreshed

Allow yourself the luxury of waking up feeling relaxed. Avoid being startled out of your sleep by using calmer, melodic sounds for your alarm instead of loud, blaring ones. It is also beneficial to set your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier than usual to give yourself some extra time and prevent a hectic start to your mornings.

#3 – Let in Natural Light Each Morning

Our bodies have a natural biological clock that regulates our circadian rhythm. For example, our circadian rhythm manages many processes and bodily functions, primarily our sleep and wake cycles. Our biological clocks are light-sensitive, meaning the presence of sunlight during the day will signal the brain to keep us awake and alert. Therefore, letting in daylight in the mornings is a natural and effective way to signal your mind and body to wake up.

#4 – Get Moving

Moving our bodies in the morning is a beautiful way to encourage a positive and productive mindset. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, also known as the brain’s “feel good” hormones. Find something you enjoy doing in the mornings, whether it’s a quick jog or 10 minutes of yoga. The goal is to get your body moving, not overly exert yourself. Again, the best way to build a better morning routine is to do what works for YOU.

#5 – Eat breakfast

A healthy, well-balanced breakfast does not have to be a 5-course meal every morning. Some examples include protein shakes, overnight oats, chia seed pudding, parfaits, etc. Your body and brain both need the energy to get through the day, so make sure to fuel up!

#6 – Stay hydrated

Just like your body needs food to function throughout the day, it also needs water. Therefore, it is essential to give your body an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Start tackling this goal earlier in the day. Pour yourself a glass while you eat breakfast or do your morning yoga, your body will thank you!

 

All in all, establishing a morning routine can be very beneficial for both our bodies and our minds. In addition, many psychological and psychological results come from maintaining a morning routine.

Some examples include: stress reduction, increased productivity, energy, motivation, symptom management for mental health conditions, etc. So gift yourself the satisfaction of prioritizing YOU in 2023!

 

References:

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 1). Circadian rhythms and circadian clock. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/longhourstraining/clock.html

Endorphins: What they are and how to boost them. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins#:~:text=Endorphins%20are%20chemicals%20(hormones)%20your,your%20sense%20of%20well%2Dbeing.

McFarlane, S. J., Garcia, J. E., Verhagen, D. S., & Dyer, A. G. (2020, January 28). Alarm tones, music and their elements: Analysis of reported waking sounds to counteract sleep inertia. PloS one. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6986749/

Person. (2021, July 27). How to create a healthy morning routine that works for you. Healthline. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-morning-routine#takeaway

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Circadian rhythms. National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx

WebMD. (n.d.). Tips for a healthy morning routine. WebMD. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/morning-hacks-ease-stress

What is circadian rhythm? Sleep Foundation. (2022, December 19). Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm