Creating a morning Routine
Morning Routine: The way you start your morning often shapes how your entire day unfolds. Having a bad morning can set you up for having a bad day. Set yourself up for success by creating a morning routine to support having a great rest of your day.
Creating a mindful morning routine sets the tone for clarity, discipline, and balance throughout the day. In our 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training, students learn how daily practices such as asana, pranayama, and meditation build consistency, deepen awareness, and support a sustainable yogic lifestyle.
Why a morning routine is essential.
Think about it: have you ever had a fantastic day after having a chaotic morning? Probably not. Setting your intentions and habits from the get-go will help you visualise a good day, making it much easier to reach your goals. Fill your morning with healthy habits you practice every day, and you’ll see the difference over time.
Sit down and think about your current morning routine. How do you feel afterwards? Do you greet the day with a smile and excitement? Do your current habits support you in your physical and mental health? There will always be bad days, of course, but overall, how well is your current routine working?
Better sleep leads to brighter mornings.
You won’t be well-rested if you don’t get quality sleep the night before. Routines are essential for bedtime, too! Make sure to avoid snacks and screens before bed, and try a little bedtime yoga to wind down.
Whatever you do, don’t check your phone.
Do you roll over and immediately go for your phone? Stop doing that! Seeing those missed messages, emails, and news won’t set you up for a good day. Checking your phone first thing can actually affect your brain. Consider keeping your phone on the other side of the room, or even in another room, overnight.
Move your body.
Moving your body is always a good choice, but definitely in the morning after you’ve been sleeping in the same position for so many hours. Whether you’re a gentle-stretching person or a run-in-the-morning person, moving your body is an excellent addition to your morning routine, even if it’s just five minutes of dancing to your favourite song. Find what kind of movement you look forward to, and what’s reasonable for you in the morning. If you’ve never run a mile, maybe don’t commit to running one before breakfast every day. Start small, and you can always increase your time.
Make time for gratitude and meditation.
Getting your mind in the right state is so essential for your morning routine. Whether you say your affirmations, you meditate with a mantra, or you write in your gratitude journal, take time for reflection before diving headfirst into your day.
Some other tips
A few other things you might consider adding to your morning routine:
- Make your daily to-do list, and make sure to include self-care!
- Make your bed. This is a great way to reset the room and make you feel better about having one thing done before you even leave your bedroom.
- Do something fun! You could turn on a song and have a dance party with your kids, or you could watch an episode of a funny show, and start your day with joy.
- Read! It might be an interesting article or a few pages from a book, but it will help engage your mind, and if you feel like you never have time to sit and read, this is where you can fit it in.
A mindful morning routine is not about perfection; it’s about intention and consistency. By creating simple habits that support your body, mind, and emotions, you set a positive tone for the entire day. Small changes practised daily can lead to greater clarity, balance, and well-being over time. Start gently, listen to your needs, and allow your mornings to become a space of calm, purpose, and self-care.
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