How to Create a Simple Morning Routine for a Better Day

This great morning routine will change your whole day!

Have you ever wondered how successful people start their day? A simple morning routine can set the tone for a productive day and positively impact your mood. It doesn’t matter if you are an early bird or a night owl; finding the perfect morning routine can help you wake up on the right foot and improve your mental health, physical health, and overall productivity. 

If you were to ask anyone if I was a morning person, the answer would be an absolute no. But I realised something: You don’t have to be a ‘morning person’ to get up early and thrive throughout the day.

You just have to be prepared and have a solid routine in place. You can become an early riser, and you will thrive.

There are a million morning routine ideas, but this post will walk you through the most crucial parts of a morning routine, helping you build simple morning habits for the most successful day.

Let’s try a morning routine we can stick to!

I’ve also included the 15-minute morning habit that changed my life.

How to Create a Simple Morning Routine for a Better Day

1. A Good Night’s Sleep

The day begins the night before. An effective nighttime routine ensures you get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep, which is essential for maintaining your circadian rhythm and improving cognitive function.

A couple of things I do to help me stay focused at night and get the best sleep I can are:

• Stick to a consistent wake-up time and bedtime.
• Prepare a to-do list for the following day to reduce decision fatigue.
• Limit social media use before bed, and avoid caffeine late in the day.

2. Skip the Snooze Button

I know this is tricky, but when your alarm clock rings, resist the temptation to hit the snooze button. Waking up on the first wake-up call is a great way to jumpstart your morning. Many productivity experts agree that this simple act helps cultivate a good habit and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

3. Drink Water First Thing

Grab a glass of water before you reach for your first cup of coffee. Staying hydrated boosts your energy levels, aids weight loss, and supports physical movement. Hydration is the foundation of a healthy morning routine and helps you feel refreshed.

If you like having probiotics in the morning, try the celebrity favourite, Symprove. Check out my thorough review of Symprove here.

Or maybe you prefer a healthy juice shot instead? I love making mine with ginger and lemon (although I like adding mine to hot water).

4. Incorporate Physical Movement

A little bit of physical movement in the morning is an excellent idea for improving body temperature, increasing circulation, and promoting a productive morning. Whether stretching, yoga, or a quick workout, it helps wake up your muscles and boosts your mental health.

I love the advice by Robin Sharma, who wrote the book The 5AM Club. He writes that a good morning routine sets the tone for a successful day. To optimise your day, use the 20/20/20 rule: 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of reflection, and 20 minutes of learning.

I like to get up 1 hour earlier than my kids to be able to be productive but that doesn’t have to be 5am!

Check out more reviews of the best personal development books here.

5. Fuel Your Body with a Healthy Breakfast

They don’t call breakfast the most important meal of the day for nothing. A healthy breakfast improves cognitive function, regulates metabolism, and provides energy for the rest of the day.

I usually eat avocado and three eggs with sourdough toast, which fills me up every morning!

Other examples of a good breakfast include:

• Greek yogurt with berries and granola.
• Avocado toast with eggs.
• Smoothies packed with greens, fruit, and protein.

6. Plan Your Day Around Important Tasks

After breakfast, tackle the first task on your to-do list. Successful people like Marie Kondo prioritise the most challenging task early when their energy levels are highest.

You’ll feel accomplished when you complete this task, making the rest of the day more manageable.

7. Morning Rituals for Mental Clarity

Your morning rituals should include practices that promote a good morning routine.

• Positive affirmations to boost confidence.
• Meditation to prevent your mind from wandering.
• Journaling or gratitude practices for mental clarity.
• Grounding outside for at least 5 minutes.

These small acts help create a fresh start and improve daily habits over the long term.

The 15-Minute Morning Routine That Changed My Life

A few weeks ago, I set myself a challenge: meditate for 10 minutes every morning and journal for 5 minutes afterward. I wanted to stick with it for 30 days to see if it would help with my low mood, something I rarely experience. Do I get anxiety sometimes? Absolutely. But this was different, and I didn’t like how it felt.

After just two weeks of consistently meditating and writing about how it made me feel (or what came up), I can honestly say it completely changed my mornings. I start my day feeling more grounded, clear-headed, and productive.

If you want to add more stillness to your mornings, try it and see how it feels. I follow a guided meditation on the Peloton app, but any will work!

Let me know if you try it.