Feeling overwhelmed before you even get out of bed each day? Grab our 25 best ideas to create the perfect morning self care routine for YOU!
A Morning Routine that Works For You
Massages and retreats are fantastic, but you can’t dash off to the spa every time you feel stressed.
That’s why it’s really important to find a way to fit self-care into your everyday lifestyle. A morning self care routine is a great way to start your day in a positive way.
Even a short amount of time dedicated to replenishing your mind, body, and soul each morning can help you to feel more prepared to handle whatever the day brings.
What is a good self-care morning routine?
The best morning self care routine is the one that works for YOU!
It doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to take a long time. It doesn’t have to be the exact same morning routine every single day.
The key is to listen to your mind, body, and soul. What do you need right now?
Then choose a few activities that focus on caring for your needs- ones that you enjoy, that don’t feel like a chore, and that replenish and renew your spirit!
Setting a foundation for your self-care morning routine
How do you start a morning self care routine that sticks?
Try thinking of your perfect morning? What does that look like?
For me…the perfect morning is a slow morning. Hydrating, gratitude journaling, coffee, and a long walk is all I need to get me started on the right foot.
Set a foundation for your morning routine. What are the essential items that always make you feel better? What are the activities that nourish your soul? What are the activities you have time for in the mornings?
Take time to create a morning self care routine that you are excited about, have time for, and is easy for you to accomplish.
Top Tip: I cannot stress this enough! You do not have to have a 12 step morning routine!! Pick a couple of things that start your day in a positive way!!
Here are seven ideas to set the foundation to a successful morning routine:
1. Stop the Scroll
Do you tend to grab your phone first thing and start scrolling straightaway?
Stop!
Once you start reading your email or checking social media, all thoughts of your self care morning routine can easily fly straight out the window.
Try leaving your phone in another room at night and use an alarm clock on your nightstand instead. You might find this even helps you sleep better because the blue light from your phone screen is known to disrupt sleep.
Real Talk: If not checking your email, texts, or notifications right away makes you feel anxious, then check it. Give yourself five minutes to identify if there is anything that needs to be prioritized right away. Address any issues and then put your phone down and get back to your morning self care routine. Don’t get caught up in the endless scroll to start your day!
2. Write It Down
Spending a few minutes writing in a journal each morning is a useful way to sort through your thoughts and emotions preparing you to face the day ahead.
Not a fan of journaling? Try a brain dump, write down some daily positive affirmations, or make an A to Z gratitude list. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed about your day, take a few minutes to put it all on paper.
Short on time? Try a quick gratitude list. Writing a gratitude list can give you a lot of the same benefits without taking up much of your morning routine time. Start by making a list of three things that you’re grateful for – keep them short, simple, and specific. Then read your list back to yourself and soak in those uplifting feelings of gratitude.
Get to know yourself well. Figure out what lights you up, what makes you feel refreshed, and what brings you down. For example, feeling rushed gives me major anxiety. By identifying that trigger, I know that it’s extremely important for me to have enough time each morning to get everything done (plus maybe a little extra time to spare!).
Want to dig a little deeper? Check out my favorite journal prompts for self discovery and gratitude journal prompts. You might be surprised what you learn about yourself.
3. Re-hydrate
When you’ve just woken up, it’s probably been 6-8 hours since your last drink. So adding a long drink of fresh, cool water to your morning routine list is one of the easiest things to do for self care. It will help to keep your mind alert and your skin looking fresh.
Not keen on plain water? Try adding a slice of lemon in it to give it more flavor, or swap your glass of water for a cup of green tea or herbal tea. I know it’s hard, but try to leave the coffee and black tea until after you’ve had a chance to hydrate.
You won’t regret making rehydrating your body an essential part of your daily self care routine!
4. Nourish Your Body
By now everyone knows that breakfast is important for your health but it’s still easy to overlook. Having delicious, nourishing options on hand is the best way to stop yourself from skipping breakfast or choosing something unhealthy.
Planning your breakfast the night before also means there’s one less decision to make in the morning. Stock your fridge or pantry with healthy treats that you enjoy eating and you’ll be less tempted to grab fast food on the way to work.
5. Get Moving
Now, not everyone is a morning exercise person and that’s OK. But if you are, that’s fantastic – go for it!
What’s important is to move your body. Some gentle yoga, a full-body stretch, or walking the dogs around the block counts. Do what feels good to you. The endorphins released by exercise are one of the best ways to get you ready to face the day.
6. Center Yourself
Meditation, mindfulness, and setting daily intentions have become really popular in the last few years. It’s no surprise really because they have so many mental and physical benefits.
Take a few minutes to calm your mind, slow your breathing, and be in the moment.
Make space to center yourself and cultivate a grateful heart in your morning self-care routine. You’ll feel the benefits throughout your day, however hectic it gets.
Try incorporating inner peace affirmations or self worth affirmations into your mindfulness practice.
7. Make A Plan
Take time to write or review your to-do list. Having a plan is always a great way to get a head start on your day.
(You know…before everyone else wants to have their say!)
Planning your day and prioritizing your tasks puts the control back in your hands. You’ll be able to make spur of the moment decisions easier, preserve boundaries you have set, and say “No” as needed. When you are able to focus your energy more mindfully, you’ll feel more productive and satisfied at the end of each day.
Want to really level up your self care game? Try our fun and easy self care challenge!
More Self Care Ideas to Start Your Day
Once you’ve created a foundation for your morning routine, you can add in other self care activities as you have time. Here are some more morning self care ideas to try:
- Add a little inspiration to your morning with motivational quotes or self care Sunday quotes.
- Challenge negative self talk with self love affirmations or these self worth affirmations. (Or if it’s a dreaded Monday, try these affirmations for Mondays!)
- Make time for your faith or spiritual beliefs.
- Pamper yourself with your favorite skincare or bath products.
- Read. A page, chapter, or more! I like to alternate between fiction and personal development. These are my current favorite self discovery books.
- Try breathing exercises.
- Get creative. Try out a new hobby like sewing, painting, or playing the guitar.
- Diffuse essential oils or burn your favorite candle.
- Listen to an inspirational podcast.
- Meal plan the rest of the day or week.
- Take notice of the simple joys surrounding you in the moment.
- Sleep in!
- Do a five minute quick declutter session of an area that’s making you crazy.
- Go outside for some fresh air and Vitamin D!
- Take five minutes to connect with your partner or loved ones. Talking face to face, a phone call, or simple text works.
- Plan your next adventure! It doesn’t have to be grand to be an adventure. Everyone needs something to look forward to!
- Clean up.
- Dream! Got an idea you just can’t stop thinking about. Write it down. Start planning how to make it happen.
- Get organized. Review your monthly goals and set yourself up for success.
If you don’t find you have the extra time in the morning to add in any more self care, sprinkle them in throughout your day. Research has shown that self care is an effective tool in reducing anxiety, managing stress, and improving overall well-being.
Your Morning Self Care Routine
Remember, your morning routine will be as individual as you are.
So if you don’t know where to start, just pick out one or two morning self-care routine ideas to create a foundation. Pick activities that appeal to you and then adapt your self-care routine checklist as needed.
It might take a while to find a routine that works for you, and that’s OK!
Consider switching things up if you find yourself struggling. Maybe try a new self care routine for the season? Make a Christmas self care routine to help fight the holiday craziness or maybe a Fall self care routine where you get outside each evening before the time change. You could even choose to spend longer on a Sunday self care routine to add in some extra pampering on the weekend.
Take things slow, be gentle with yourself and enjoy the boost in positive energy for the rest of your day.
Want to take things a step further? Learn how to create the ultimate daily self care routine. My own personal growth journey has been challenging and rewarding and eye opening all at the same time! If you’re walking a similar path, join the adventure!
