Every morning I wake up excited to execute my morning routine. However I didn’t always love my morning routine, in fact, I loved my night routine. Now I can confidently say I have learned the importance of a healthy morning routine. It is important to set yourself up for success the minute you wake up.
Throughout high school, I dreaded my alarm going off because that meant it was time for school. If I am honest, it wasn’t until I started drinking coffee that I began loving mornings. As you can guess, I was not a morning person, and still, don’t necessarily think I am. Once I found something that made me excited to get out of bed (my coffee) I started to form a better relationship with mornings and created a morning routine that I loved. Slowly over time, I integrated healthy habits and I saw a MASSIVE difference in my mood, level of productivity and overall health.
No Phone
The second I woke up I used to check my phone, and social media. Removing this habit from my morning routine was the best thing for my mental health. When you check your phone first thing you are waking up your brain with blue light…aka a big NO-NO. Secondly, I immediately was stressed out when I looked at social media. Seeing people post they had been up since 6 am, worked out and did all these productive things really made me feel like crap. I was starting my morning off with comparison and guilt.
Now I just turn off my alarm and don’t look at my phone. I simply get up and begin my day. I will look at my phone once I have begun my day or while
Lemon Water
Oh baby, is this a game-changer for your overall health. I used to be awake for an hour without having any water *cringing*. When I go to bed, I fill up a huge mason jar with water, or my hydro flask (when I was living in the dorms). I would sip on it while in bed, and when I woke up, the first thing I do after turning off my alarm is CHUG water before heading to the kitchen and squeeze in 1/2 lemon to hot water. Before having any coffee, I am for having around 4-5 cups of water. A pro tip is to fill up a pitcher with water, lemon maybe even some fresh mint leaves and leave it in your fridge. This way it’s on hand and super efficient!
What is the reason for having water first thing in the morning you ask?
While you are sleeping your body becomes very dehydrated, and you need to hydrate it as soon as you wake up. Your body cannot properly digest your food if you are dehydrated (hence the start of feeling bloated)! You need to wake up your digestive system and get it ready for the food you are going to put in it.
Get Moving!
Get your body moving as soon as you get up! While I was at school my first year, I would walk to class, which I counted as getting moving. After my morning class, I would head straight to the gym. How I began to love my mornings more was when I started working out as part of my morning routine. I found that once I started working out in the morning, I was 1000x more productive throughout my day, and my overall mood was better. I clearly remember calling my mom one morning while at school, and I was a total B. She asked if I had worked out yet, and I realized I hadn’t. I hung up and called her back after my workout, and I was a different person. From there on out, I only called her after I went to the gym LOL.
This year with my schedule, I have been working out in the afternoon. I don’t love it, but I value my sleep in college! I overall feel better when I work out, get my blood pumping, and increase my mood (thank you, endorphins!). Get moving first thing, even if it’s down the street to get coffee.
Nutricious Breakfast
Breakfast… (other than my coffee) is my favorite part of my morning routine. Having a healthy breakfast is a key component of a healthy morning routine. I prefer to work out on an empty stomach or have something light (my coffee fuels me). However, I always listen to my body, and if I wake up hungry, I will eat something other than a smoothie. When I do get a chance to work out in the morning I will have a coffee, workout and have my smoothie post-workout.
This semester with working out in the afternoon, I have been sticking to having a morning smoothie. However, I don’t usually have one until around 11:30-12:00 am. I never start my mornings with something processed (like cereal, protein bars, bagels, etc.) Not trying to toot my own horn… but I make bomb smoothies *hair flip*. If I don’t have a smoothie (which is rare) or if I go out to breakfast my other favorite breakfasts are eggs scrambled (I have been loving 1 egg, 2 egg whites with turkey bacon), fruit (usually blueberries and banana), rice cake with almond butter with banana, or protein pancakes. Now when it comes to the weekend is generally when I derail from my smoothies and spice it up… or treat myself to something like going out to breakfast and eating potatoes, eggs, and toast!
Vitamins & Supplements
Taking vitamins and supplements that your body needs is a major way to create a healthier morning routine. It is good to get in the habit of taking them (disclaimer everyone needs different vitamins and minerals that they may be lacking so find what works best for you). I take a multivitamin every morning and a probiotic! I feel 10x more energized and light after taking them. When it comes to vitamins make sure you are getting ones that are sourced well, they are usually more pricey. When it comes to probiotics always get ones that are refrigerated because they are the strongest and have the most probiotics in them (pill form, or coconut yogurt is how I take mine)! The supplement that I take on a daily basis is my collagen powder (Benefits of collagen click here)
Clean Up Your Living Space
Everyone’s heard you should make your bed in the morning. I am going, to be honest, I don’t always do it but I try to at least throw the covers up and make it look semi-clean. However, when I make my bed in the morning and return home (to a made bed) I feel much more productive and I am in a good headspace. If I know I need to get sh*t done that day, I make my bed because it puts me into a positive, motivated mindset for the rest of the day.
Morning Incentive To Wake Up
Prior to liking coffee, and smoothies I truly hated the mornings. I was a night person. However, once I started drinking coffee I got excited to get my butt out of bed because warm coffee awaits! The same thing goes for my smoothies now, I crave them! Whether it is coffee, petting your dog, or eating your favorite breakfast, do something in the morning that gets you excited to wake up!
I hope you enjoyed the post, and you integrate some of these tips into your morning routine! Until next time, thank you for Hanging With Haley!