Creating a Morning Self Care Routine That Actually Works For You
Starting your day off right can mean different things to different people. Some people love mornings and some people would much rather sleep in. It’s up to you. And if you’ve struggled with morning routines, it may be that you’re not built for a strict structure. We can look at your human design for that. But if you are looking for a way to build a morning self care routine that actually works for you, then keep reading.
I really believe self care is an important aspect of living a healthier life overall. And that’s whether you have a regular routine or prefer to go with the flow in the way you incorporate it into your life. But one thing for sure, it affects nearly every facet of your life, including physical, emotional, and mental health. So when you begin to prioritize it each day, you’ll see a positive impact in different areas of your life.
If you are someone that tends to be stressed shortly after waking up because there isn’t enough time to get everything done, you’re busy getting things ready to leave the house for the day, etc, then some pre-planning might help.
These tips for having a less stressful morning will really help you focus on creating more balance and incorporating more self care into your life.
But first, ask yourself - What makes mornings tough for you?
Having too many decisions to make first thing in the morning is a challenging way to start the day. So is waking up to a mess, or spending the first 45 minutes of your day running around finding work notes or picking out outfits because you don't have time to get things organized.
Keep reading to learn about developing an intuitive morning routine for self care to bring more freedom and balance into your life.
1. Prepare Your Mind For Calm By Embracing Ease
First things first, you want to get your mind and body ready for the morning. But guess what? That doesn’t actually start in the morning. It actually starts the night before.
Here are a few things you can do to reduce the number of decisions you have to make in the morning. Not only will this give you a calmer start to the day, but experts suggest that decision fatigue cuts into your patience, burns too many blood pressure points, and can seriously stress your willpower.
Clothes - Before you go to bed, put together your clothes for the next day. This frees you from the worry of having to figure out what you're going to wear during the morning rush!
Food - If you work outside of the home, you may consider packing a lunch for work. So meal prep at the beginning of the week or at least getting your meal ready the night before can save you a lot of time (and stress). If cooking isn’t really your thing, you can try a meal delivery service. I’ve personally used EveryTable and love it! Click here to check it out (and yes, this is my affiliate link. But it’s good. Trust me!)
Location - For those who hate getting up early, spend a little time in your favorite spot in your home giving yourself time to really wake up. This is the perfect time to journal, grab a book, or whatever little pleasure that will help you start the day.
Distractions - As tempting as it can be, I suggest avoiding technology early in the morning. Do not pick up your phone during your self-care time. Do not check your emails, turn on the news, or anything like that. This is your quiet and alone time. Enjoy it!
2. The Art Of Morning Self Care
Your morning Me time can be just what you need to get yourself on the path to creating a good day. Your goal is to get a handle on your thoughts, build a gratitude habit and make yourself aware of how calm and positive you and your brain can be if you work at it.
Journal - You can journal in any notebook; putting paper to pen changes up how thoughts move through your brain and how much information you retain. While experts strongly recommend taking paper notes if you really want to retain the spoken word of someone else, it's important to remember that your self-care time is your time to listen to yourself!
By putting pen to paper, you allow your thoughts to flow in new and creative ways. With a small investment, you can treat yourself to a beautiful notebook and matching pen that will become a precious spot for you to record your dreams. In addition, as you become accustomed to a daily journaling habit, you may notice that problems that follow you to bed become solutions in the morning.
If writing in a physical notebook isn’t your thing, you can consider doing an audio journal instead just by creating voice notes for yourself.
Ambiance - Light your favorite candle or incense (mine is Nag Champa!) to add your favorite fragrance to your space. Depending on what feels ambient to you or what your Human Design environment is, you’ll want to curate your space and create a good vibe for your morning self care routine. That looks different to everyone, but maybe it’s having a lamp nearby that gives you enough light to write and read by. Or maybe sitting near a window so you can see the sky. Whether you're looking at stars or the sunrise, the sense of solitude you'll find under the sky can give you great comfort. My human design environment is natural shores, so I always find myself gravitating toward windows with a view.
Water - Whether you’re a coffee or tea person or simply prefer water, it’s important to begin hydrating yourself in the morning. This is a definite energy booster!
Meditation - Some people find meditation easier first thing in the morning, while others say it makes them sleepy. Everyone is different. If you can meditate, then I’d highly encourage it as part of your morning self care routine. If you've never meditated, remember that meditation is a practice and that even the experts sometimes struggle.
Some people tend to meditate at the end of the day; they find it very soothing and it calms their mind before sleep. If you’re especially tired, meditation can give you more of an energy boost than any nap ever has. However, Louise Hay offers a positive morning visualization to get your mind awake and moving linearly with love.
If morning meditation doesn't work for you, consider a visualization exercise where you can express thanks for all the things in your life. Rather than waking up and thinking, "I didn't get enough sleep," try being thankful for your soft mattress or your comfy sheets. Starting your day in gratitude rather than in lack is a great way to get your energy moving forward.
Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that there are different types of meditation. Some people find it especially challenging to sit in silence, but find guided meditations to be easier to keep up with. Experiment! One of my fav tools for trying different forms of meditation is a free app called Insight Timer.
Exercise - If early morning is the only time you have to exercise, make it easy on yourself by getting whatever you’ll need ready, especially if you prefer going to the gym. Maintaining positive thoughts during your workout is easy if you start gently and incorporate a cool-down. Be thankful for your body and that you can move it through space.
3. Plan For Down Time
Why are you prioritizing self-care? Are you trying to break the snooze habit? Working to eat better? Just trying to get your brain working more effectively?
If productivity is your goal, incorporating positive affirmations can lift your spirits and get you out of the mental quicksand of worry. (check this post for creating affirmations based on your human design)
In addition to planning your day for maximum productivity, be sure to set a quitting time! The book The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins encourages a great balance. Yes, focus on what you want. Yes, determine the next step in getting there. Yes, turn off the laptop and stop working when you promised yourself you would. You owe that to yourself.
For those working toward healthier dietary choices, treat yourself. No, you probably shouldn't have a donut (at least not everyday). However, a cup of your favorite tea will boost your spirit, warm you up and remind you of the health you're working for.
To keep your brain moving straight ahead once you've woken, journaled, meditated and exercised, study Getting Things Done by David Allen. This book keeps us mindful of the difference between a task and a project. If "finish your taxes" is your goal, it will be hard to stop because you don't have the steps in place. "Gather all your W-2s" is a much better goal, and it will lead to the next step.
4. Preparation Is Key
For many busy people, the idea of getting up even earlier to engage in self-love seems silly, even a waste of time; if I truly loved myself, I'd let me sleep, right? However, as I said before, there are things you can do the night before to make your morning routine a bit more gentle, give you time for some journaling, some alone time, and maybe even some exercise. Spend some time thinking about what you can start doing ahead of time to make mornings more enjoyable for you.
5. But Remember...You Can't Do Everything!
As much as you plot, plan, and try to control, things will inevitably happen. Tis life! And a good self-care routine doesn't mean you’ll be immune to it. However, I will say putting yourself first puts you in a better position to handle life’s twists and turns. For example, let's say you hit snooze three times, making yourself late to get in the shower. Then you have to find something to wear and get your meals together for the day. You finally get everything lined up, grab your purse, and find, upon reaching the car, that you've got a flat tire. In your hyper-stressed state, you begin to cry.
Meditation and self-care will not stop the stressors of life; this is not about creating any form of Nirvana. But creating a solid self-care routine will change YOU. Your ability to handle stress, to solve problems and to see problems as detours instead of roadblocks…that’s a major win! Will irritations keep showing up in life? Absolutely. Will horrible sh** happen to you and the people you love? Sadly, yes. But, you will have built a brain path to a quiet, cozy space where you can focus on the people and things you love. The calm that lives in your self-care morning routine is accessible any time, day or night; all you have to do is reach inside and bathe in it.
That is, once you build the routine.
Keep working on your morning routine, tweaking it as needed. Get a journal, change the time of your alarm, and start your morning off right. Whether you journal in the morning, enjoy some quiet time with your cup of coffee, or move your body before you get the day going, the whole point is to do something for YOU.
And lastly, extend yourself grace. Be patient with yourself. And listen to your body. It knows what works for you and what doesn’t.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can tap into your human design to create more ease in your life, then we need to talk.
Human design can help you with self care, learning how to manage your energy, and greater self awareness.