The Benefits of Having a Morning Routine

Having a morning routine equips you to handle everything you encounter throughout your day better. By establishing a morning routine, you prioritize self-care, mental health, and personal growth, which enables you to serve everyone in your life better and more effectively.

I love what Charlie Evans says about the morning routine on The Science of People website: “Our morning routine sets us up for success, and we should all be starting our day the way we intend to carry it on—whether that is energized, relaxed, productive, slow, organized, or rested.”

Your morning routine doesn’t have to be extravagant or take a long time to complete. It should simply set the tone for your day.

My morning routine is important to me. It’s a part of my day that impacts the rest, so I truly cherish it. Here are some things I incorporate into my morning routine that you can add to yours or start with.

Exercise In The Morning

Exercise has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has helped me through some very dark times. I exercise daily to maintain both my mental and physical health. To stay consistent with exercise, I have it as a part of my morning routine.

Morning exercise can be a great part of a morning routine. It gives you a boost of energy to start your day, and once you get started, it may become something you look forward to doing each morning.

These are some tips to stay motivated to exercise:

Tip #1: Have A Plan

My first tip for staying motivated to exercise is to have a plan. I’d suggest that anyone beginning a new exercise routine take time to plan it in advance. This tip is essential because if a person walks into a gym without a plan, especially as a beginner, they may wander around, not knowing what to do, and end up frustrated and leaving.

You can do this by simply identifying which areas you want to focus on and listing exercises targeting that area. This includes noting whether you wish to improve your cardio, speed, or endurance. Research exercises that will help improve these areas. You can look online or even download an app to find ideas.

Tip #2: Do Something You Enjoy

My next tip is to do exercises that you enjoy. Exercise can be fun, and you should enjoy your exercise activities. With so many different workouts to choose from, there is no reason a person should be stuck doing something they hate. I have seen it repeatedly: a person will say they don’t like exercising, but once they find something they enjoy, they can’t stop doing it.

Tip #3: Have A Purpose

My final but most important tip is to have a purpose. Purpose creates passion; if you have a purpose for exercising, you will likely stick to it. Before you start your next workout, sit down and identify your purpose for working out. Is it to lose weight? Is it to get fit enough to run a race? Is it to fight a disease? These are examples of purpose, and reflecting on your purpose daily will motivate you to stick to your exercise routine.

Spend Time Journaling

Journaling has been a part of my morning routine for many years, and I have benefited mentally and emotionally from keeping a journal. Journaling helps me process my thoughts and feelings by putting them on paper.

Sometimes, when I’m stressed or overwhelmed, I grab my journal and write out everything I think and feel. I usually feel better afterward and have more peace and clarity. Journaling when you first wake up is a great way to begin your morning routine.

The cool thing about journaling is that there aren’t any rules, and you don’t have to be a great writer to do it; you put what’s in your mind onto paper. You can doodle or make lists in your journal; it’s up to you! Below are some journaling ideas to get you started.

Journal Goals Or A Health Journey

Journaling your goals is a great way to see them visually on paper, making them more real. Once you journal your goals, make it a habit to review them often and cross them off as you complete them. This creates a sense of accomplishment and motivates us to pursue our goals. If you’re on a health and fitness journey, write about it in your journal. You can write down your progress, the areas where you want to improve, and the emotions you’re feeling along the way.

Journal A Gratitude List

I’ve found it very motivating and encouraging to see all my blessings on paper. Writing a list in the morning gives me a mental boost and a sense of thankfulness to pursue the day. When journaling your gratitude list, include even the small things you’re grateful for, such as clean running water and a good Wi-Fi signal, which we often overlook.

Journal Fond Memories

If you’ve done something cool lately, you can document it in your journal; you can even print out photos from your experience and tape them near your journal entry. It’s always fun to reminisce on good times, and journaling is a great way to do that.

Follow a Bible Reading Plan

If you’re a person of faith like me or simply interested in receiving encouragement to start your day, you can add Bible reading to your morning routine.

Following a Bible reading plan has helped me stay on track with my reading. Following the reading plans in the YouVersion Bible App has also helped me read the Bible more consistently. It’s easy to lose motivation when you don’t feel like what you’re reading is relevant to you today.

The Bible App offers plans with encouragement and scripture to help you through all seasons of life. It also provides programs that guide you through the Bible book by book, with commentary from Bible scholars to help you understand what you’ve read.

I hope you found this helpful and it gives you some encouragement to start your own morning routine.

***

About the Author: Ivanna Baron shares her story and experiences to help and encourage others. She offers practical tips and ideas for personal growth, wellness, and faith on her website ivannabaron.com.