30+ Self Care Morning Routine Ideas - Simple Steps, Better You

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Self-care morning routines are actually a hilarious topic if you think about it.

When you ask people about their morning routine, it’s astonishing how excited they get. The eyes widen and the hands flail in all different directions; they can not tell you fast enough the routine that has “changed their lives”. When the response comes, you would think they worked at NASA while training for seven marathons with how outrageous it sounds.

Ideally, that’s fucking great. Realistically, not possible. 

A well-structured morning ritual will set a positive tone for your entire day, boosting productivity, and enhancing overall wellness. In this article, we will delve into a simple and realistic self-care morning routine designed to nurture the body, mind, and soul.

We also provide ‘more for you’ self-care morning routines that may better support your lifestyle, personal well-being, or ideal day-to-day.

Let’s get into it.

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What is an everyday self-care morning routine and why should I have one?

In the realm of self-care, morning routines stand as a cornerstone of holistic well-being, offering a vital opportunity to start each day on a positive note. Ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

A self-care morning routine encompasses intentional practices aimed at nurturing the body, mind, and soul. It's a dedicated time carved out of the early hours to prioritize our own needs before the demands of the outside world take hold.

This routine encompasses various activities tailored to suit individual needs and preferences, ranging from simple acts like hydrating your body and stretching to more intentional practices such as journaling, meditation, manifestation, or skincare rituals.

It's a commitment to prioritizing your well-being from the moment you wake up - we are feeling at peace already.

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What is not self-care

Ultimately, a productive day begins with a thriving routine, but the everyday morning routines marketed start to remind us of fad diets.

The new you will be great for a few days, or if you are lucky, a few weeks - only to see the longevity of the new you start to fade. This is solely a result of the routine of choice being unrealistic, and unable to align with your lifestyle.

The wellness gurus will never understand what your every day consists of and the priorities that come with it.

It’s exhausting to have a twenty-year-old influencer preach about the importance of waking up at 5 am to get in Pilates before the day starts when that could be physically impossible with your current kids' sleep schedule, (we have all seen the movies with the walking Zombies, and you should not be one of them).

Let's begin.

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The self-care morning routine starts in the evening.

We will pillar this statement until blue in the face.

Once you start to implement this into your routine, the mornings will begin to seem less intimidating. Preparation makes peace, and the evening prep can look different for everyone. 

Our best selfcare evening routine -

Prep the coffee

(Or tea) the night before; this tiny task makes rolling out of bed to the smell of coffee much more effortless. Simple but wildly effective.

Spotless sink

Trust us, it doesn’t ‘need to soak overnight’.

A spotless sink in the morning sets a clean and organized tone for the next day, allowing you to wake up to a refreshing environment. Completing this small task before bed instills a sense of accomplishment and control over your surroundings, contributing to a calmer and more peaceful mindset conducive to restful sleep.

Additionally, coming into a kitchen in the morning to find a clean sink can inspire a positive start to the day (some will argue there is no better feeling), fostering a sense of motivation and readiness to tackle whatever lies ahead.

Limit screen time before bed

Per Billy Joel, "Take your phone off the hook and disappear for a while". This self-care tip is scientifically proven for a better sleep cycle.

*Quick tip - Instead of screen time, try lymph drainage massage for mindfulness and physical relaxation.

Set your phone up far from the bed. When the alarm goes off, you will physically have to get out of the warm bed - or look towards the Hatch Restore alarm clock that has immensely improved waking up.

More better for you self care ideas before bed:

• Place a glass of water near the bedside to drink when you wake up

  
  

• Pack the kids’ lunch for a quick morning grab ’ n-go

  
  

• Lay out your workout or walking clothes the night before to un-complicate the fit process

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Waking up for our self-care morning routine

The early wake-up… Morning people are the absolute worst.

We can say that now, only because we have become one (with these morning rituals). The rarity of it is, that we are only morning people when we want to be, and that’s powerful.

Let us explain. 

When something fits flawlessly into your ideal lifestyle, generates instant gratification, and improves overall well-being, you can certainly have that “cheat day” or even sleep in that morning and your routine will not dissipate.

The routine contours the lifestyle so perfectly - you can have a few drinks with friends, not make the early morning workout, and you will be fine.

All knowing you will pick the routine up the next day. 

Our best self care morning rituals for the early morning wake-up -

This alarm clock wakes you up

You will thank us later.

The 5-Second Rule

Mel Robbins is famously known for her "5-Second Rule," which involves counting down from 5 to 1 and taking action at the end of the countdown, like a rocket ship launch.

The idea is simple, your mind has about a 5-second window before you start to overthink things. This can include getting up in the morning, introducing yourself to others, making it to the gym, etc.

When you act within those 5 seconds, you interrupt your brain from going into overthinking mode to actual action. In the morning, we use this rule to get the heck out of bed. Instead of hitting the snooze button, count backward from 5 and get up when you reach 1.

If there is anything you take from this article, let it be The 5 Second Rule.

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Rise and shine 30 to 90 minutes before the start of your day

This is known as “putter time,” initially noted by Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. This simply is one of our favorite self care habits to start.

The concept refers to allocating a portion of one's morning for leisurely and non-demanding activities. Jeff Bezos has famously advocated for protecting this time in the mornings for activities that allow for relaxation, creativity, or personal reflection - his everyday morning routine.

Bezos believes that starting the day with "putter time" sets a positive tone and allows individuals to approach their day with a sense of calm and focus.

It's essentially a period of low stress, where individuals can ease into their day before diving into more demanding tasks or responsibilities.

The specific time is used for all rituals you want to accomplish before your actual day starts.

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Technology detox; Do not open your phone yet, this morning time is for you

Focus on the calm and positive environment you create, not the influx of your inbox. This practice can also enhance productivity by enabling focus on intentional tasks and priorities before being inundated with external stimuli.

Just think, the moment you open up your phone, you allow the world and everything that comes with it to walk through your front door.

More better for you self care ideas for waking up in the morning:

Pick the perfect time to wake up

The wake-up time you need depends on your lifestyle; the science-backed recommended time frame spans between 30-90 minutes of extra time before the start of your day.

Truly, what amount of time should you give yourself to avoid the actual sprint out the door? Think about it.

Make the bed every day

The concept involves completing a simple task that immediately fosters a feeling of achievement.

*Quick tip for morning routine - We encourage you to try this twice, just for two days straight, and can almost guarantee this will become an easy every morning wellness habit of choice.

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What next? We thought you would ask. 

As stated, prioritizing self-care is fundamental to nurturing your overall well-being. To integrate these concepts into your daily life, we will explore self-care ideas from a holistic wellness perspective, encompassing all aspects of your physical body, mental mind, and wholesome soul.

Morning rituals for the body

Drink water in the morning, specifically lemon water

Lemon water promotes digestion, flushes out toxins, and is the ultimate gut detox we have implemented for years.

Find a water bottle you enjoy - it’s a wild concept, but picking out your daily water bottle has proven to motivate continued hydration throughout the day.

Coffee after water

Upon waking, your body experiences dehydration, necessitating the immediate restoration and replenishment of lost fluids, commonly referred to as hydrating yourself.

A non-negotiable for us coffee addicts. The Bico coffee mugs are the much-needed largeness for our morning routine. 

If you are not the biggest coffee fan, tea kettles are our weakness as well...

Get moving outside

Find the dose of Vitamin D on a morning walk, energize with a Pilates workout from home, a walking pad in the kitchen, or an exercise class at the gym - regardless of what you choose, get moving.

This will genuinely be the most challenging part of the routine, well this and the snooze button. Remember that mood follows action: never let your mood determine your actions, as it takes action to change your mood. 

Nonetheless, when we speak of instant gratification, this is exactly what we mean.

You will appreciate the instant positive mood boost and anxiety reduction when tapping into mindfulness. 

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Prioritize the morning self care with a skincare routine

Addressing the importance of taking care of one's physical appearance and skin health in the morning time only boosts mood and everyday confidence. The consistent and realistic morning skincare routine gives an immediate sense of routine and accomplishment in the morning.

More better for you self care ideas for the body:

Healthy breakfast

Exploring the significance of starting the day with a nutritious meal. Incorporating a combination of protein, whole grains, and fruits to kickstart your day with sustained energy.

Life’s busy, chaotic, all the things. When it's challenging to meet your protein goals through whole foods alone, consider supplementing with a protein powder, protein shakes, or bars.

We adore combining our protein shakes or powder with our morning coffee.

Take a shower

If you find yourself waking up feeling tired, anxious, or simply not at your best, consider starting your day with a refreshing shower.

Taking a shower in the morning is a quick way to liven up your morning to feel more awake.

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Morning rituals for the soul

Positive Affirmation

One of the day’s more important rituals; is the morning routine list.

This researched-backed mindset transformation can help you to challenge and overcome negative thoughts. When you consistently repeat positive affirmations and believe in them, you will start to make positive organic changes.

The billionaires, empirical research, and evidence acknowledge there is no denying the remarkable benefits of setting intentions and positive morning affirmations.

If you can, write them down daily. 

Gratitude Journal

Connect with gratitude through a daily journal, this can be as simple as writing down five things you are grateful for at the moment.

Research indicates that practicing gratitude can lead to a more optimistic outlook, reduced symptoms of depression, and improved mental health.

More better for you self care ideas for the soul:

Meditate

Practicing mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises in the morning can reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and improve overall well-being.

By calming the nervous system, meditation, and deep breathing promote a sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of daily challenges.

Spending just 10-15 minutes meditating can set a positive tone for the day, promoting emotional resilience and focus.

Christian morning routine

If this is your journey, making time for prayer in the mornings can be a powerful and meaningful way to start the day.

Engaging in prayer in the morning provides a sacred moment for individuals to connect with their spirituality and cultivate a sense of gratitude and purpose. This practice offers a tranquil space for reflection, allowing individuals to center themselves and set positive intentions for the day ahead. Through prayer, individuals can find solace in times of uncertainty, drawing strength from their faith and beliefs.

Reciting your favorite prayer or a few personal words in your journal can help you prepare for the day ahead.

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Morning rituals for the mind

Make a brain-dump list

For all my ADHD brains out there (that’s us!), this one is for you. Jot down every thought, task, idea, stressor, or concern that comes to mind without judgment.

This valuable technique ignites simplicity yet has been greatly shown to reduce overwhelm and empower control over your to-do list, establishing a perfect morning routine for success.

Through this practice, you can acknowledge top priorities and recognize the significance of tackling the First Things First Hack for enhanced morning productivity.

Make time to read daily

We understand the number of hours in a day; have you tried ‘habit stacking’?

In 2018, James Clear introduced this term in his book, Atomic Habits. The idea you can accomplish more by focusing on less, habit stacking involves associating a new habit with an already existing one.

The idea is to "stack" the new habit on top of an established routine that already exists. The key to successful habit stacking is selecting a cue or action that you already perform regularly and linking it with the new behavior you want to adopt.

Here's an example - Let’s say you already have a daily routine of a morning walking on your treadmill. Instead of scrolling through Instagram, open a book during your morning walk, our latest read obsession could easily get you out of bed in the morning. 

Our most popular habit stacks:

• When the alarm goes off, implement the 5-Second Rule 

• Brushing your teeth and reciting the daily affirmations in the mirror; occasionally let the kids participate in this habit 

• Drinking a glass of lemon water before each meal 

• Taking your daily supplements after pouring the coffee

• Take a moment for mindful breathing or meditation after your skincare routine, all my skincare people know this allows the serums to soak

  
  
  
  

*Bonus; cheers your partner with a compliment or kiss for every drink poured, mocktails included

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Your ideal morning routine can be a fluid concept, shifting from one day to the next, or even evolving.

Choose to consider current life circumstances, the season of life you are in, your children’s needs, your work situation, etc.

If a particular aspect of your routine feels stagnant or less fulfilling, be open to making adjustments. It might be as simple as switching to an audiobook verse your daily reading time, or perhaps the work grind consists of longer hours, therefore a lunch hour workout best aligns with the extra rest you need.

Regardless of the changes you implement along the way, remember that’s the reality; you're tending to your well-being and evolving seasons for your routine commitment.

A nourishing morning routine is the elixir of life for productivity and wellness. Science-backed rituals give it the credibility it deserves. Start your day with intention, energize your body and mind, and watch as your life transforms into a masterpiece of productivity and well-being, for the long haul.

You got this. We got this.

Don't forget to high-five yourself for prioritizing your daily self-care routine with these routine ideas.

Thoughts? Comment Below!