There is not a one-size-fits-all in terms of waking up. It is actually quite simple: You open your eyes, and start your day. How we start our day looks different for everyone. Some people need to structure their mornings differently because of technical things. Perhaps they need to take a medication right upon waking up, let the dog outside, or check on and tend to an older loved one. All of our mornings will look a little different, but there are still ways that we can develop somewhat of a routine that will positively impact the way the rest of our day unfolds.
Jane Austen used to play the piano immediately upon waking up. Steve Jobs would ask himself every morning, "If today were my last day on earth, what would I do differently?" Barack Obama hits the gym. Some of the most successful people have/had a set routine that would set them off on the right foot. Of course some days life happens and routine goes out the window, but developing a routine for your everyday life can greatly impact your
productivity and overall fulfillment.
Some may think that a "morning routine" is only for high maintenance people or folks with too much time on their hands. I believe that a morning routine is for everyone. It can be as simple as splashing your face with cold water and having a cup of coffee, or as complicated as a bunch of time-allotted steps. It really is about whatever makes you feel good, both internally and externally. Below are some things that I believe makes my mornings and the unfolding day better.
Avoid the phone
This is a very common one, and it's a hard habit to kick. The phone is like an ocean of information and stimuli that envelopes the brain. To subject your mind to this immediately upon waking up doesn't put you in a good headspace for the rest of the day, especially if you're looking at negative news or social media. Whatever happened in the world can wait 20 minutes or longer. You can answer a text, check your email, and scroll the news after you have prepared your mind for the day. If you wake up and scroll through a social media such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok for either a short or long period of time, the mind isn't given a chance to develop its own thoughts, or adjust and set priorities for the day. All of this external stimuli does not leave a lot of space for what you create. Going on your phone first thing in the morning also does not give your eyes a chance to adjust to the harsh artificial blue light. Professionals suggest avoiding your phone for at least 20 minutes first thing in the morning, but I strive for an 45 minutes to an hour. Take command and start your day with your own mind rather than filling it external data.
Drink water
Medical professionals suggest drinking water very soon upon waking up. I keep a glass of water next to my bed that I drink as soon as I get out of bed. What this does is jump start my body and its functioning for the day, hydrates me, and helps me wake up. Drinking water before any other beverage or eating food is key here. Water is a gentle and healthy way of wishing your body a good morning. There are a lot of benefits to drinking water in the morning, and getting enough of it throughout the day.
Stretch
Moving your body after you drink water can feel wonderful! Right when I get out of bed I hit the floor and do some stretches to get my body woken up. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles and can help relieve any tension or pain from your night of sleeping. Stretching can also benefit one's mental health and the way they view and connect with their bodies. When I stretch in the morning, it is a special time where I am fully being present with my physical body. I am honoring it by setting some time aside to give it love by moving it in a way that feels good or relieves tension. Whether it's a 20 minute yoga routine or just a minute of touching your toes and rolling your neck from side to side - Do what makes you feel good and what works.
Pause
A lot of us, especially when waking up early to commute to work, have the "get up and go" mentality. Finding a moment of pause helps me maintain my calm going forward. You could meditate for a while, or just sit in reflection. What is key here though is getting up. I find that laying in bed where you are nice and warm and in a half-sleeping state is not the same as sitting up in bed or on the floor. You must make this pause intentional and not a dreamy haze. In this pause, I set my intentions for the day. This doesn't mean going down a to-do list - It's more of developing a mantra for the day. Perhaps today will be about being more patient with family, being productive at work, breaking a habit, feeling beautiful in your skin, recognizing your intelligence, not responding with anger, finding moments of pause throughout the day, or having genuine interactions with strangers. There are so many intentions that you could set, and it can be a great way of giving your day meaning, especially if you find yourself stuck in a stagnant work-sleep cycle and are starting to lose some passion for the everyday. Intentions could be abstract or tangible, multiple or singular, changing or constant. As always, do what works for you.
Above all else, your morning routine should exist to make you feel good and it should set yourself up for success in the remainder of your day. Success could be finishing a project at work, loving yourself or others more, or painting a wonderful painting. Whatever it is, make sure that your intentions for the day nurture you and your life purpose. Creating a morning routine does not have to be complex, it just has to work for you. Take some time and be intentional with how you start your day. Wake your mind and body up so that you can greet the world and others with your best self.
Some things I do in my morning routine that I didn't include are journaling, drinking a cup of matcha tea, reading a bit in my book, and exercising. Some days I do all of these, some days I do just a couple, (always the matcha though!) But most days, all of these come naturally to me because through trial and error, I have found that my days are significantly better when I stick to my routine and be intentional about how I spend my mornings. Go forth and have a wonderful day today and everyday!