5 Ways to Create Healthy Morning Routine Habits

(Last Updated On: November 22, 2021)

Most of us want to start our day off right, but sometimes we don’t know where to begin when it comes to healthy morning routine habits. How do we make sure our healthy priorities are actually realized?

So often, we have a list of things we’d like to accomplish every morning that are healthy, but that list can end up getting pushed aside in favor of more pressing matters. Those good intentions fall by the wayside, and our ‘healthy for me’ list is put on the back burner. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow, right? But it can still be frustrating.

Well, I’m here with some good news, my friend. You CAN make your desired morning routine an everyday occurrence. How?

By making small changes and focusing on the fundamentals (physical health, mental health, emotional health & spiritual health), you can build a solid foundation for yourself that will last throughout your day and help keep you motivated towards reaching your goals.

Another benefit of that morning routine? They have been shown to reduce stress, improve our metabolism, and even help us sleep better.

Here are 5 essentials that have helped me to be focused and consistent with my own personal healthy morning routine, and they could inspire you as well. And, these five simple actions can apply to any healthy habit or routine that you want to incorporate into your life.

You’ll find access to a free resource printable, too, to help you take these actions from good reading to practical application!

1 | What is Your Motivation: Put It Into Words

Think about why you want to create a good morning routine. What kind of benefits do you hope to see? What positive changes will this bring about for you?

Take the time to literally put pen to paper and create a list of what you want to achieve by following a consistent morning routine. And I’ll give you a hint, because it’s true for just about all of us:

By starting out the day in a consistent manner, doing the things that are good for you, getting your mind, body, and heart focused and in the right place, you have a much greater opportunity for a healthy and productive day ahead.

Be aware of this, though. Set realistic goals about what this healthy routine to start the day will look like. We’ll talk more about this in step #2.

Here is another word of caution. Many people think about their morning routine as a “to-do” list. The idea, my friend, is not to hop out of bed and starting ticking off a list of things to do. That sounds way too much like work.

While I liken my personal self care to a part time job, the reasoning is that it’s a priority in my life and I am accountable to myself for taking the time to provide that care. It’s not a to-do list.

So try to keep this morning routine in perspective and you’ll be off to a good start.

2 | Self Care for All of You

A morning routine that benefits all of the aspects that make you the unique person that you are is most beneficial, so while it’s great to want to incorporate some morning exercise into your routine, don’t forget about the other essential components: emotional and mental as well as spiritual health.

While we are all unique and there isn’t a “one size fits all” routine to get us going in the morning, selecting one small self care action from each of the components is a great way to set yourself up for success.

Remember what they are? Physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual health. Let’s look at some examples.

For physical health you can start by including some form of exercise in your morning routine.

Eating a healthy breakfast is another great way to jump start your body’s metabolism and provide energy for the day ahead.

A morning stretch is also a great way to get the blood flowing and start your day off feeling refreshed.

For emotional/mental health you can set aside some time for journaling in the morning, or spend some quiet time reading an inspirational book that will help motivate you towards reaching your goals.

Meditation is another brilliant choice for mental health – it can improve memory, relieve stress, and reduce anxiety.

To enhance spiritual health you can spend some time in prayer.

You may also enjoy listening to uplifting music that will help start your day off on a positive note.

Be kind to yourself: practice self care every day!

It is important to remember that being consistent with your morning routine does not mean you have to be “perfect” – what’s important is showing up for yourself as often as possible.

It’s okay if you want to skip a self care action from time to time, or even sleep in now and then! You have to meet yourself where you are today, so if you feel like you need an extra hour of sleep in the morning, go ahead and let yourself rest.

3 | Plan for Your Morning Ahead of Time

Take the time to prepare for your anticipated morning routine rather than stumbling into it as your little eyes are trying to wake up!

For example, set out your workout clothes and get everything ready, or prepare your healthy breakfast in advance. Do you use an alarm clock? Try setting it for 15 minutes earlier than usual, which is probably doable for most of us. Is your goal to spend 5 minutes journaling? Set the journal out so it is right in front of you. Make it obvious and don’t let yourself off the hook.

By taking a few minutes to plan for your morning routine, you can avoid those frantic mornings where you feel rushed and stressed out. Planning and preparation can also be a winning combination if you don’t have to get up and out the door, which may be true for you if you’re retired.

We can swing our lifestyle into such a slow, relaxed pace that we don’t really want to commit to much of anything. Setting that plan and doing the prep is incentive for you to get up and take care of yourself.

Planning ahead of time will help you create a more consistent and rewarding morning routine and guess what? You will be more likely to repeat these actions often enough that they truly become a healthy habit as you start your day.

4 | Be Realistic and Start with Small Steps

If a morning routine is totally new for you, give yourself the gift of baby steps.

Maybe you want to read for 15 minutes every morning, or meditate for 20 minutes daily. Maybe you intend to cook a healthy breakfast every morning before getting into the day’s activities and commitments.

It may be helpful to set a goal of only trying one new habit per week, or per month, so you have some time to adjust and can truly incorporate healthy actions into your life before taking on another one. If you want, choose one or two additional actions per month so it feels doable and manageable.

If you feel overwhelmed at the idea of creating a morning routine, try just incorporating a small action – like meditating for five minutes in the morning – and giving yourself some time to adjust.

Your personality and lifestyle is unique, so create the start to your day that is most reasonable and beneficial to you, as well as in a way that you will be most likely to succeed.

5 | Consistency is Key

Any time you are beginning a new activity, learning a new skill, delving into a project, you’ll always be more apt to succeed if you stay with it consistently. You’re less likely to stick with a new and unfamiliar routine if you try it once and then don’t continue.

If you want to create a morning routine that truly benefits your life, commit to showing up for yourself even when it’s challenging. In time, the actions will become easier and more natural. You’ll know that this morning routine has become a healthy habit when you notice the days it doesn’t take place. I sure do!

Once you’ve spent several weeks practicing a new healthy habit, it will become natural for you to do it daily, even if you have to get up a little earlier.

As with any activity, including creating a morning routine that works for you, remember that positive reinforcement is key to staying motivated and going strong. Be kind to yourself, and don’t criticize yourself if you miss a time, or make a mistake. Remember your intentions and recommit.

Then reward yourself for your hard work – take a hot shower, read a chapter of a novel before bed, treat yourself to some fresh flowers from the farmers’ market, or get a massage.

Grab your Free Printable, 5 Ways to Create Healthy Morning Routine Habits, from the Resource Library

You’ll find it in the Healthy Living & Wellness Section

What a Healthy Morning Routine Can Include

Now that you are aware of the essentials to creating a good morning routine that becomes a habit, let’s look at what some of the actual activities could include. Remember, we’re treating our body, our mind, and our spirit with love and care as we begin our day.

These are in no particular order, and may not all be applicable to you personally. See what might speak to you:

• Stretching first thing, even before you get out of bed
• Make your bed
• Spend 10 minutes in the sunshine if the climate allows
• Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, without any extra sweeteners or creamers added
• Meditate for 10 minutes, which will help clear your mind and prepare you to really embrace the day ahead of you!
• Read a self-help book or spiritual text to begin focusing on how to bring forth more positivity into your life
• Journal about anything that came to mind during your meditation, or any dreams you remember from the night before
• Daydream for 11 minutes. This is a great way to clear your head and help you focus on what matters most for today.
• Practice appreciation by going through all of the things in your life that you are grateful for
• Drink a glass of water (with lemon? warm water?) before enjoying your morning cup of joe
• Exercise and/or walk for 15 to 20 minutes
• Eat a nourishing breakfast to give you energy for your day
• Take several deep, slow breaths
• Spend a few minutes in prayer

Conclusion: Healthy Morning Routine Habits

Before you begin your morning routine, think about this:

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

Lucille Ball

When your morning routine becomes effortless and easy, fitting into your natural flow of how you work best, you will notice that days start smoothly and you are alert and focused.

You’ll set yourself up for a positive and productive rest of the day. Does it mean that every day will flow perfectly, the sun will shine over your pretty little head, and all your dreams will come true? No. I’m not gonna lie. Healthy morning habits will not create the perfect world or guarantee your health.

But those healthy habits in the form of a good morning routine WILL help keep you balanced, inside and out, set your feet on a positive track first thing, and give you the best opportunity to head into your day with a clear mind and great attitude.

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