Wake Up 101 – A Simple, Healthy Morning Routine

(Last Updated On: November 21, 2022)

There is something about a simple, healthy morning routine that has a positive impact on my day. It’s not that I’m obsessing over making sure that I do the same things at the same time every day…not like that at all. So what is it that makes a difference?

I believe that as women over 50 (or any age, really) when we start our day with some reflection and self care, we provide our mind and body with the healthy attention it needs to be grounded and ready for what the day will bring to us.

We’re at a time in our lives when we probably have more control over our schedules than our younger selves. No little ones to get up and going in the morning, or if there are kids in the home they are probably self sufficient.

Dashing off to work may or may not be in the picture at this time in our lives, but either way, if we’re motivated to provide the self care we need, we will find a way to work it in!

First thing in the morning as part of a routine is always my recommendation because you know what will happen if you say to yourself, “I’ll get to it after I…” Yep. It will get pushed off for another day.

Read on to see what I do every day to start things off on a positive note. Yes, good morning habits will go a long way for you, my friend, as you go through the rest of the day. And, I have a gift for you…a free printable that you can keep with you and use as a reference for starting your day off right!

My Healthy Morning Routine

This is how I start my day at home when I wake up. It’s a good morning routine, very simple, but does so much to help me focus as well as giving me the confidence to know that I’ve provided needed self care both physically and emotionally.

Actually, the healthy start to my day begins before I even get out of bed, with some slow stretching to get my muscles active and ready to begin the day. A very important “pre-morning routine” step!

I work from home and live alone, so have flexibility to schedule my day as I see fit. To work through the morning routine below I may spend a couple of hours, but that is what works for me.

The way you start your day may look different than mine, but that is not what’s important. It’s taking the time to do the things our minds and bodies need to remain healthy and strong.

Okay, here is my healthy morning routine list:

1. Quiet Time to Get Your Head, and Your Heart, Right

The first thing I do after the usual morning stuff when getting out of bed is to spend a few minutes in devotions and prayer. What better way to start the day than to put spiritual thoughts in my mind, quiet my heart, focus on my family and loved ones in prayer and get my priorities in order.

For you it might be meditation, yoga, affirmations or some other type of quiet relaxation. It is amazing what those few minutes at the very start of every day will do for my mind and heart.

I’ve found that a consistent quiet time to begin my day sets the tone for everything else that follows. I may not know what the rest of the day holds, but I am confident that the time spent in devotions and prayer will see me through.

2. Coffee and Emails/Social Media to Check in & Fuel Up

I am a coffee lover, so the morning java is a requirement for sure! I use this time to go through my emails, business and personal, as well as check some business related sites.

Checking social media is part of my coffee routine, too, although for me it’s mostly business. I find that by going through my checklist of SM To Do’s at the beginning of the day I can get that task out of my head for the remainder of the day.

If your social media time is strictly personal, that’s cool. You might consider giving yourself a block of time while you sip on your morning beverage to scroll through your feeds.

Then, put it down for awhile. Don’t let social media become too much of a focus in your day. Just sayin’.

3. Workout – It’s not an option!

Staying fit and healthy is important at any age, but particularly as we enter our 50’s and beyond.

We need to make sure that a balance of aerobic and strength training is part of our overall workout schedule. And you know what? It requires commitment. No doubt about it.

Putting off the workout for later, or the next day, is too easy to rationalize sometimes. So, I find that if it’s part of my healthy morning routine and I do it consistently, I (and my body) will definitely notice something is up if I skip a day or two.

My morning workout usually consists of anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. I find that strength training is better for me later in the day. The point is…do something…even if it is 15 minutes of stretching. Your body will not only thank you for it, you might even live longer. 🙂

My morning routine also includes about 15 minutes of facial exercises every other day as part of my ongoing natural face lift. The results are so beneficial I have to make it a priority!

4. Skin Care in the Morning

The other, very critical item on my simple morning routine is effective skin care. I don’t have to tell you what happens to our skin as we age. It’s a fact of life and is going to happen, but we can take a proactive role in minimizing the effects.

I recently found a wonderful skin care regime for my face that includes using several products in the morning as well as the evening. I can see and feel the difference in the skin on my face so am motivated to stay on track with that.

Making sure that the rest of my body is sufficiently moisturized is also high on the list, particularly since I changed climates. It’s simple, but surely makes a difference in the look and feel of my skin, another great way to start every day.

Healthy Morning Routine: Put It All Together

It’s really quite simple, my healthy morning routine list, and would be effective for women of any age. Here’s the quick checklist:

1. Quiet time for the body and soul
2. Wake up beverage and a check of the electronic media
3. Exercise for health, strength and longevity
4. Proper skin care for the face and body

I find it very helpful to have my goals, plans, tasks, and inspiring materials right in front of me. That way I won’t forget what it is I’m working toward!

Here is a pretty, practical and very useful collection of printables I created for women like us, over 50, who strive to become better, stronger versions of ourselves:

This collection of worksheets, planners, calendars, task lists and a bonus Morning Routine workbook and worksheet will help you stay on track. I find them to be indispensable tools!

• Morning Routine Workbook & Worksheet – create your personalized healthy morning routine, plus find some helpful sample morning routines
• ‘Promises to Myself’ Goal Setting Planner
• Weekly Planner
• Fillable Calendar
• Workout Planner
• ‘It’s My Life’ Accountability Journal

Learn more about the Inspired Living Printable Pack

The way you finish out the day can have an impact on a restful night of sleep (or not) as well as how the next day begins. Learn more about creating a healthy evening routine!

Take time to invest in yourself and you’ll continue to reap the rewards for years to come!

Grab your FREE printable, A Simple Morning Routine, right here. It’s part of my free Resource Library!

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