The alarm is set for 6 AM, and it goes off with a loud beeping sound that rips you out of your sleep. Confused and a little delirious, you hit the snooze button. “5 more minutes,” you think. 5 minutes later, the alarm goes off again. Grabbing your phone, you check your emails, and fear sets in that your workload for the day is already piling up. You have to hit the ground running; otherwise, you will be late for work. Time to implement 6-morning rituals you can implement now!

Forget the shower you planned on taking, and you jump into any clothes you can find, hoping they match. At least you have time to grab a coffee from your pre-programmed coffee maker, even if you don’t have time for breakfast.

Is that what your morning looks like? If so, then it’s time to change your morning rituals so you can start your day feeling energized and focused instead of stressed out.

What Can Get In The Way Of A Healthy Morning Routine?

1. Poor Sleep Hygiene: A lack of sufficient and quality sleep can make establishing a healthy morning routine challenging. When you’re tired and groggy, getting out of bed and following through with your planned activities is much harder.
2. Procrastination or Lack of Discipline: Procrastination and lack of self-discipline can derail your plans. It can become a major hurdle if you continuously put off your morning activities or find it hard to stick to your routine.
3. Overcomplicated Routines: If your morning routine involves too many steps or activities, it might become overwhelming, leading you to give up on it entirely. It’s important to create a feasible and realistic routine for you.
4. Stress and Anxiety: High stress or anxiety levels can make it difficult to follow a morning routine. You may find it hard to focus or spend too much time worrying about the day ahead, which can delay or interrupt your routine.
5. Inconsistent Schedules: Inconsistent waking times or erratic schedules can hinder the establishment of a solid morning routine. If your wake-up time varies significantly from day to day, it can be tough to establish and maintain a routine.
6. Lack of Preparation: Failing to prepare for your morning routine the night before can also get in the way. This might include preparing your workout gear, setting out your clothes for the day, or planning your breakfast.
7. Distractions: Modern life is full of distractions, from smartphones and social media to urgent emails. These distractions can easily derail your morning routine if not properly managed.

To overcome these challenges, consider simplifying your morning routine, improving your sleep hygiene, planning ahead, and setting boundaries to minimize distractions. Self-discipline and a consistent schedule are also key.

If you win your morning, you win your day. Have you heard that before?

I am a firm believer in that, and I have my own morning rituals that help me get started and help me have peace of mind. My rituals begin the night before, and I have a clear plan in mind of how my day should flow.

6-Morning Rituals You Can Implement Now

Start your morning ritual the night before by:

• Eating a balanced meal with slow-digesting carbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Slow-digesting carbs include vegetables, beans, quinoa, brown rice, nuts, and seeds
• Unwinding after work by taking a hot bath or shower
• Choosing your clothes for the next day so they’re ready to go
• Preparing your breakfast ahead of time (try making overnight oats)

• Sit up and stop hitting the snooze button (ground your feet to feel fully aware)
• Take 10 deep breaths before checking your phone
• Make your bed (this gives me a sense of starting my day)
• Meditate for 10 minutes (try an app called Headspace to guide you)
• Do some light stretching to boost your energy
• Mindfully drink your coffee or tea and relax into the moment

Something needs to change if your days don’t include any of these rituals. Try implementing one of these rituals to begin, then slowly add more. You’ll thank yourself later.