Establishing a Perfect Morning Routine: 7 Ways to Start Your Day Right

Your morning routine sets the stage for the rest of your day. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to hit the snooze button and catch a few more zzz’s before doing anything productive.

We seem to live in a culture where we grind and grind until we can’t push any further, and by the time we reach our beds at night, we are too exhausted to think.

And then we do it all over the next day.

Even the thought of what we have on our to do lists for the next day can be overwhelming!

That’s why I want to talk about establishing your perfect morning routine so that you can take back control of your day and start it on the right foot.

Some of these steps may seem easy, while others may appear challenging… that’s part of the process.

Change requires a certain level of discomfort, but once you adjust and begin implementing your perfect morning routine, you’ll find your productivity and energy begin to increase, which should lead to a much more successful day at work, school, or even in your home.

So what do you say? Are you ready to take back control of your mornings? If you are, start implementing the steps below.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale (at absolutely no cost to you)! Thank you for supporting Chase the Write Dream!

Put Your Alarm On the Other Side of the Room

Anyone else a snoozer?

I’m sooooo guilty of this that it isn’t even funny.

But I’ve improved greatly over the past several months and part of that is thanks to the fact that once I’m out of bed, I’m up and ready to go.

One of the easiest ways to make sure that you can’t snooze anymore is to set your alarm (whether it be a clock or phone) on the other side of the room, or at least out of reaching distance.

But what about waking other people up with that obnoxious noise?

I hear you, and that’s why I highly recommend getting an alarm that changes light and gradually wakes you up rather than startling you out of your deep sleep. This one is affordable and has programmed natural sounds built in if you’d rather avoid music:

• hOmeLabs Sunrise Alarm Clock

Get Moving

After lying still for so long, it’s good to get your blood pumping so that oxygen can flow freely throughout your body and make you feel more alert.

While I still struggle to get my workouts done in the morning, I have found that when I do get them done as part of my morning routine, I feel more energetic and focused.

I know a lot of people make the excuse about not having time to drive to the gym, but with YouTube and sites like Fitness Blender, those excuses can get thrown out the window.

I’ve personally been to a gym maybe one week this year (that’s because I was traveling and without my equipment), but that hasn’t stopped me from building up my muscle and endurance.

Here is the equipment I use every week to stay in shape:

• Power Block Adjustable Dumbbells
• The X Bands Resistance Bands
• Ankle Weights (I use 5 lbs. but options range in this style from 1-8 lbs.)
• HemingWeigh Extra Thick Exercise Mat

Write Down Your Ideas and To Do List

If you’re like me, your brain is literally non-stop all the time. With all of this information running through your head, it can be difficult to focus on what needs to get done today.

That’s why I started keeping a notepad next to my bed, because it helped me to do a big “brain dump” before bed and when I wake up.

By writing everything down, I feel like I have more space to think about and process the things that really need to take center stage, like the presentation I may have to give or the errands I need to run.

If you like to keep everything in one place (schedule, notes, etc.), then I highly recommend getting a Day Designer Planner.

In this planner, you’ll find space to keep track of your to do lists, daily/weekly/monthly tasks, and more!

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

It’s no secret that most people walk around dehydrated. If you’ve ever felt a headache or fatigue come on mid-morning or throughout the day, odds are that you haven’t drank enough water.

To avoid these symptoms, I recommend drinking at least a glass (8 oz.) of water when you get ready in the morning.

If you struggle to get enough fluids in, try investing in a Tervis tumbler with a fun design. It’s funny what little sayings or pictures can do to your mind! I personally have two that are TCU themed and always by my side.

Bonus: Tervis tumblers are designed to keep cold drinks cold for longer, so no more drinking room temperature water after you just poured it an hour ago! (Just don’t forget to grab a lid so that you can take your drink to-go)

Nourish Your Body and Mind

You can’t have a perfect morning routine without investing in your body and mind a little bit. This means that you should have at least some type of healthy food for breakfast, even if it’s just a piece of fruit and yogurt (though I recommend having more to eat later in the morning if you do eat light first thing).

I know that life can get hectic and sometimes you run out of groceries and have to reach for the unhealthy stuff, but try not to make that a pattern.

If you’re absolutely awful about going to the store or not wanting to stand in line or leave the house after a busy day (guilty), then sign up for Amazon Prime. Prime Now is available in many cities now and delivers fresh groceries to your house in under two hours.

I’ve personally been an Amazon Prime member for years and can’t say enough good things about it!

They also offer AmazonFresh now where you can get even more grocery options and unlimited deliveries for $14.99 a month.

Now that we’ve got your body covered, let’s talk about nourishing your mind for a second.

Part of mastering your perfect morning routine is setting yourself up mentally for success. I know we all have our down days, but our approach can really set the tone for whether we have a good day or a bad one.

When you get ready for the day, try saying some positive affirmations about yourself. If it helps, look at yourself in the mirror when you say them! If quotes are more your thing, write a few of your favorites down and put them somewhere you’ll notice them.

Look the Part

I have to be honest here – I work remotely and sometimes getting ready and making myself look presentable is the last thing on my list.
But I also know that if I work in pajamas and make literally no effort, then I’m not going to function at my best.

So that’s why I make it a point every morning to shower and do at least self-care thing that makes me feel good about the way I look.

This could be painting your nails, doing your makeup, exfoliating your face (I love Derma-E products, or styling your hair.

Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you enjoy and that makes you feel good. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a little pick-me-up in the morning!

Pack the Essentials

The final step of your perfect morning routine is to make sure you have everything ready to go for the day.

I recently got the Fossil Fiona Large Tote Bag because it holds my computer, as well as my wallet, two phones, chapstick, mirror, keys, and so much more (if you need a large bag, I can’t recommend it enough!)!

There are also a ton of great work bags available on Amazon at all different price points if you aren’t sure what to get (be sure to check measurements, zippers, compartments, etc.).

Once you have your bag of choice ready, it’s time to start packing up everything you need for a successful day. Whenever I work in-person or take a day trip somewhere, I always pack the following:

• Sunglasses
• Tervis Tumbler
• Pocket Mirror
• Wallet
• Keys
• Chapstick
• Pen
• Planner
• Cell Phone
• Headphones

Bonus: The Book You Must Read to Make Your Perfect Morning Routine a Habit

For those of you who don’t know, I have a master’s in psychology and LOVE nerding out on anything that has to do with our minds and brains.

A few years ago, I was introduced to a book called The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, and my eyes were opened to an entirely new way of thinking

As humans, our brains rely on habits to save brain power. These habits also dictate our actions in life, and when the habits aren’t good ones, we often find ourselves struggling to get away from them.

As you work to create your perfect morning routine, you may find yourself encountering some of those struggles.

That’s why The Power of Habit is such a crucial read.

Not only will you learn how to make something a habit, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how developing a new, positive habit can impact your well-being, as well as your brain capabilities.

Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Now that we’ve covered various ways to make your perfect morning routine, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!