I am a lazy person. Or at least that’s what I like to believe. I’m that lazy that I’m not too good at morning routines. I mean… like those you see beauty gurus post on Youtube. I managed to start cleansing my skin – almost – every morning and evening which is amazing. Gimmie a hi5!
So, since I’m lazy having that perfect morning routine is not for me. When I watch those videos or read about it, it makes me wonder how those people get 28 hours a day. Because I would literally need 3 hours or more to make everything. And meditating is hard… especially in the morning when you are half asleep, so cut the bullshit.
Getting into a new (healthy) habit needs consistency and strong will. Trying to have a 100% perfectly cliche morning routine will most probably fail.
I love easy mornings. For me, easy mornings are those when I wake up peacefully, have a full homemade cooked breakfast, have time for my “bathroom routine” (maybe applying some make-up too) and leaving the house quite nice and clean for the evening.
It feels amazing starting the day slowly, yet productive and fully energized. Here are some healthy habits that are not too complicated to take up.
1. Wake Up At the Same Hour
I already said how important – yet simple – it is to go to bed to the same hour. Our bodies love routine – especially when they are the good ones. Dropping even a bad routine (like always smoking in the morning) makes us anxious and uncomfortable.
So, going to sleep at the same hour will most probably mean you’ll wake up at the same approximate hour each day.
Related: Why Becoming a Morning Person Is the Best Thing Ever
Waking up at the same hour each day (including weekends) will be extremely helpful in establishing a healthy morning routine. That… if your same-waking-up-hour isn’t 15 minutes before you’re supposed to go to work or school.
2. Stretch
There are people who love working out or going for a jog early in the morning. It doesn’t happen too often for me. Especially in the morning.
The one things I found worked for me is stretching. While you’ll not get a full sweat body, stretching those sleepy muscles will make you feel much more aware and energetic.
3. Don’t Touch Technology
I’ve already talked about this in a previous article, and I have to admit, I’m still struggling with this.
Not touching any device that can connect to the Internet is very important for a good morning.
Related: Why You Should Start a Digital Detox and How to Do It
Turn the mobile data just for a few seconds and you’ll find yourself scrolling through social media or playing games for a good few minutes. Or you can read that e-mail that will ruin your entire morning and will make you feel angry or anxious.
4. Learn
Learning new things is constantly connected to preventing Alzheimer’s disease and improving memory.
Don’t get too stuck in your 9-to-5 life and try to learn new things every day. Here are some simple ideas that will help you learn new things:
- read books, both fiction or non-fiction
- watch documentaries
- listen to podcasts
While I don’t have time to watch a full documentary in the morning, I like to listen to TED Talks while brushing my teeth and so on.
Related: Back to School Habits You Should Take Up Even If You’re Not in School Anymore
5. Clear Your Mind
You might think that your mind is super fresh and ready to go after a night full of sleep. But do you know those mornings when you’re tired before you even wake up? Mhm… we all do.
I used to have quite stressful mornings because I could not stop thinking about the things I’m supposed to do and I desperately tried to remember everything. And God, it’s tiring!
Use a Planner
My solution was – and still is – using a planner. I don’t have a crazy schedule, but writing down my goals, appointments, and things I have to remember, frees my mind of the burden of remembering it all. I don’t have to use my mind as a gathering point because it’s all there, on the paper.
Minimalist Journaling
Keeping a diary isn’t for everyone. I find it quite time-consuming, to be honest. My way of journaling is keeping a gratitude diary where I write when I feel truly grateful for something – no matter the occasion. It’s wonderful to go back and read it!
If you’re not really into journaling, create a basic template where you’ll write:
- 3 things you’re grateful for
- 3 things you’ll do better today
Plain and simple. Helps you calm down and focus on what’s truly important to you.
Morning Pages
I’ve heard of his technique quite recently and I have to admit I haven’t tried it. It sounds quite easy and promising.
Morning pages is a habit of you writing whatever’s on your mind. The rule is you have to fill in 3 pages. It’s not a diary. You simply put your brain’s random thoughts on a piece of paper.
Don’t feel pressured to take up ALL these habits at once. Start one by one and decide which one fits best your lifestyle and health.
31 comments
Love this post and all these ideas! I’m the type of person who thrives on learning new things, so I really enjoy reading and discovering new hobbies. I wish I could be better about not touching technology in the mornings- I know it would be less stressful.
I am so not a morning person… I can’t do anything in the morning because I sleep until the last possible second! I know I need to get better about not grabbing my phone first thing.
I think we all get one of those mornings from time to time. But if they happen too often, it gets too stressful for me and I can’t make a habit out of it.
I love the one about not connecting right away! I need to do that more often!
Early morning routines are the best. I definitely need to be better about not touching technology!
I love these ideas. Some of which I already do and some of which I need to take up as a habit.
I love these ideas! And while I normally can ONLY meditate in the morning (lol), I think not touching technology, using a planner, and some light journaling needs to be added into my morning routine. I love the mornings, but they do seem to fly by.
These are such great tips! I love jumping into my morning before opening any of my social media apps. It helps me get so much done before getting distracted.
I’m so bad when it comes to looking at my phone in the morning. I have an addiction to my technology and sometimes feel like it causes me too much stress. I’ve definitely heard about morning pages and try to at least do some most mornings throughout the week! It really helps to gather your thoughts and foster an attitude of grafefulness!
I haven’t tried morning pages yet. It sounds less stressful than keeping a diary – at least for me. I’m really curious what it will feel like. Glad it works for you quite well!
These are some really great tips! I’ve never been overly interested in meditation but these are some really great alternatives. I really love the minimalist journaling idea especially because I’ve tried to keep a journal so many times and given up, a shortened version would be a lot easier and give me chance to reflect x
Alice // http://www.accordingtoalicex.com
I have the exact same problem when it comes to a journal. The only type of journal I keep from time to time and the gratitude journal that I enjoy going back and reading all the good vibes.
Early morning is my favorite time of day. I love my Zen Morning routine.
Love these tips! I need to be better about the technology part. Being that this is my job, it’s so hard to step away, but when I do, it’s the best feeling!
I know the feeling, I stare all day at a screen as my job as well. But forgetting about my smartphone for a good few hours is amazing.
These are such great tips! I really need to start waking up at the same time every day. As a blogger (with no set time I need to be anywhere), it can be hard to do but it’s so important! Also love that you included morning pages because that’s something I’ve been wanting to try for awhile 🙂
Waking up at the same hour has been life-changing for me and now my body wakes up right before my alarm haha. It’s definitely made me feel more rested and motivated to take on the day.
SAME! I just lie there until I *really* need to pee. I’m having trouble not touching technology though! I kind of use my phone to do my morning bible reading time and somehow get distracted by Taobao (this shopping app here in Beijing). *facepalm*
Haha! I’m lazy too! Not really, I just don’t do mornings. If this had been a test, I would’ve failed it though, especially when it comes to reaching for technology! It’s the last thing I look at before bed, and the first thing I look at upon waking. Even charges on my beside table! It’s crazy how addicting technology can be, especially when we do everything on our smartphones now! Loved this post!
I have recently started the bad habit of heading straight for technology when I wake up, so I need to break that one! I love the journaling idea. I always feel a burst of drive when I write down goals, plans, and ideas!
I like both types of journaling you mentioned. Unfortunately, unless I wake up at 4 in the morning, I really don’t have time to just relax. I could see myself writing on the train to work. ?I really like the idea of setting intentions or what you’ll do better along with gratitude.
Visualising your day while you commute is also a brilliant idea: it puts dead time to good use.
I have been religiously following most of what you have suggested…it works…keeps the mind cool.n body healthy..
I’m a lazy person too, especially in the mornings so this was an awesome guide. I’m pretty sure I can manage stretching and avoiding internet in the morning!
Don’t touch technology? especially my phone, so guilty here! I dont know but thats the first thing I do when I wake up honestly lol
Yes… unfortunately for me as well. But I’m really trying to give up on it.
These are some great tips. Some, I already do. Some, I should. And I love the Morning Pages idea. I should definitely try that one!
The planner tip is a good one, I always feel like writing stuff down physically with pen and paper is very motivating.
Yes to the planning and to do list? I do that every morning!
Thank you for your tips! I can’t live without my agenda because I find I am so much more productive when I have a to-do list to work off of!
Yes to the planning and to do list! I do that every morning!?