Is a morning routine really the key to a successful life?

While the concept of a “morning routine” seems like extra work to many, its benefits are truly undeniable. Morning routines do not have to feel like work – they can actually give you more motivation to get out of bed in the morning and be a source of joy that you even look forward to. Even if the struggle is real for you in the morning, there are many easy ways that will empower you to kickstart your day with more motivation, inspiration, clarity, and serenity.

Skeptical? Here are some scientifically proven benefits of a morning routine:

Morning routines significantly influence your productivity levels for the rest of the day.

You carry the way you begin your morning throughout the entirety of each day. Ever started your day with a stressful or anxiety inducing situation? Then you know how hard it is to get out of that mindset as your day continues. Starting your day in a frantic rush or a in a lazy fog makes it much harder for you to be creative and proactive later on. However, beginning your day by completing small, manageable tasks will prepare your brain to take on the larger tasks you will face later on with a positive attitude.

Morning routines help lower your stress levels.

A lot of stress is caused by feelings of time scarcity or a sense that there is not enough time to complete all that needs to be completed. When you wake up with enough time to accomplish your morning routine in a relaxed and calm way then you are training your brain to believe that you DO have enough time to finish your daily tasks. This benefit is significantly increased when your morning routine includes stress-reduction tactics such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, or sound healing.

Morning routines help you feel in control of your life.

Let’s face it – much of our life is out of our control. Accomplishing a routine first thing in the morning allows us to feel like we have some authority over our lives and prevents our life from controlling us. This feeling of control will help you be a better leader and increase your sense of self throughout the day.

Morning routines improve confidence.

Simply put, having a morning routine will make you feel like you really have your sh*t together. Starting your day with productivity, organization, and self-care will show yourself that you and your life deserve to be well taken care of. A morning routine also makes you more focused and able to accomplish more, which helps you believe in yourself and your abilities.

Always tired? Having a morning routine will increase your energy.

It is normal to be tired upon waking up but practicing energy-increasing activities such as physical exercise, energizing breath work, or even a reinvigorating cold shower will help give you a boost to start your day feeling ready to take on the world.

Improved relationships.

If you live with roommates, family, or a partner we all know it can be easy to lash out at them when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed early in the morning. Having a dedicated wellness-oriented morning routine will make you less likely to snap at others and more likely to forge positive connections when you see them in the morning.

Bonus: if you are eager for some alone time, waking up before those that you live with will allow you to enjoy some well-deserved peace and quiet.

Tips for a Successful Morning Routine

Ensure you give yourself enough time.

The whole point of a morning routine is to de-stress, make sure you give yourself significant (and extra) time to complete your routine so you do not feel rushed. We know it can be ever so tempting to press snooze – but resist the urge.

Hint: If it feels impossible, count down from five and when you get to one, force yourself out of bed and onto your feet.

Take control of your technology.

Stop letting your phone be in charge of your brain and make every effort not to go on your phone for the first two ours of waking up.

Wake up with the sun.

Waking up at sunrise balances your circadian rhythm as the early morning light affects your hormones and regulates your metabolism. Being an early bird also improves your sleep at night as it helps rebalance your melatonin levels, sharpens the mind, and improves your mood.

Incorporate presence exercises.

Taking moments to practice presence will enable you to be more present throughout your day. Some ways to do this are:

Brushing your teeth for at least 2-3 minutes and using that time to connect internally
Thoughtfully sipping on hot water and lemon (this exercise also aids with digestion)
Lighting a candle or your favorite incense and taking a moment to really breathe in the aroma. Altha favorite: copal incense or rose/jasmine candles
Sipping your tea or coffee slowly, smelling and savoring every sip as you take in the morning sun
Closing your eyes and spending a moment holding a crystal of your choice. Altha favorite: Tigers Eye

Get your blood pumping.

Not everyone has time for a full-blown workout in the morning, but just 10 minutes of yoga (there are plenty of free videos of YouTube) or a 20-minute walk in the sun will immediately wake up your mind and body if you are feeling groggy.

Always include mindfulness.

Likely the most important part of your morning routine – mindfulness exercises will help you start your day with a sense of peace, clarity, and purpose. We won’t lecture you about the benefits of meditation as you likely already know how instrumental it is to a peaceful and happy life, but if you can include even just 5-10 minutes of meditation you will certainly notice the results. To amplify these benefits, include some sound healing by playing a singing bowl while you repeat a mantra or visualize your highest self-achieving your goals.

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Interested in implementing sound healing in your morning routine? Book a consultation with us so we can assist you in acquiring your very own crystal singing bowls!

If you are interested to learn about Meditation, Read our blog Introducing Kindrêd Meditation

New to Altha? We are an LA-based modern sound healing group committed to providing refined sound bath experiences to companies and individuals alike in LA, OC, & beyond!