Good morning! Every day I have what I like to call ‘bookends’ or the same routine I use each morning and evening to cap off my day. My morning routine gives me a grounding where I can better myself personally and professionally and give myself the best start to conquer the day. In this article, I want to go over my routine, explain the reasons and benefits of each activity, and hopefully inspire a routine for you to start to get you in the mindset for success.
Daily, I wake up and follow this schedule:
- Take Vitamins
Harnessing the power of vitamins and supplements is a clear way to get my mind and body off to a great start. It fuels me physically. I take them with a glass of warm water with lemon and apple cider vinegar. I know…it might be tough to get down, but research shows that this routine, especially drinking apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that can help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, and improve the symptoms of diabetes. Plus, doing hard things right away, like drinking something a little tough to swallow, gets me in the mindset of overcoming any challenges that can be thrown my way.
- Start my Coffee
Yup. Simple enough. Coffee is a necessity on most days, and I like to get it brewing right away. - Walk my Puppy
Meet Cornell Klaus Pierre, aka Puppy. He’s my sidekick that, of course, needs to be accounted for in my morning routine. Taking him for his first morning walk not only gets the blood pumping for me but it also gets him out early. We both love the fresh air and time together daily. - Drink my Coffee
Now that my coffee is ready, this is a pretty obvious one. Not only does the caffeine fuel me for the day, but I also take this time to read, reflect, and journal. As many of you know, I am an avid reader. I love this time with my coffee in hand, just for myself. I can reflect on the day before or what I hope to get out of today. That’s where journaling comes in. According to PsychCentral and much of my own personal research, journaling helps “reduce stress…and is associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.” This time grounds me, gives me perspective, and helps me align my goals to see everything clearly. And, as mentioned earlier, coffee is a necessity. - Workout
The first walk was a good way to get moving, but I also account for time to myself for a true morning workout. Whether this is a high-intensity walk or simply lifting weights, I maximize this time to give my body the physical strength it needs. Similar to the time drinking coffee, I try to accomplish as much as I can simultaneously with each activity. As I’m exercising, I will give myself a high-level review of the day ahead. Maybe I am mapping out my schedule or seeing where I need to be. I might be calculating the time that can be spent checking off boxes in my list of ‘to-do’s’. Basically, how much can I knock out and how many goals can I hit today? If I’m not working through my mental schedule, I am listening to or sending voice messages to my out-of-state friends. Using this time for social connections is key. It’s all part of the work-life balance! - Walk my Puppy…again
Before I head out for the day, I like to give Puppy one more chance to go out. Plus, it’s a little bonus time for us together. - Get Dressed for the Day
This is the last piece to end my morning routine. They say…you look good, you feel good!
Everyone’s morning and day will and should look different. It should be customized to your wants, needs, and responsibilities. But I hope that a glimpse into my morning ‘bookend’ can inspire you to create a routine and lead yourself to a path of daily success.
