When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
Marcus Aurelius
This is such an important topic, that a lot of people unfortunately have not thought about or haven’t created for themselves. Below I give the reasons and tips to why a morning routine is so important. But before we get onto that, let’s discuss what a morning routine is.
A morning routine is a set of tasks set up by yourself that fits in with your lifestyle, in order to prepare your mind and body for the day ahead. It is created to help you work towards and reach your goals both small and big! It is these habits which will become your routine and therefore in effect become you. I personally have a morning routine which is of course health related, which focus both on my mind-set and my body.
The mornings are the start to the beginning of a new day. With a clean new slate, to create, produce, feel, think and be whoever and whatever we want to be. If we look closer, the way we treat ourselves in the morning, sets us up for the rest of our day. It helps regulate the stress hormones, allows for one to take time for oneself, to set your mind up for the day, achievements, and goals and allows for space in our busy day to guide us.
Below are some reasons scientifically proven for why morning routines are important:
1. Relieves anxiety and stress
Decreasing stress and anxiety is an important part to keeping healthy both in our bodies and mind. Therefore decreasing stress in the morning is very important. By having a morning routine you have a plan with how your morning will start and that in turn will lead you through to a relaxed day. This works as it decreases the stress hormones in your body and allows you to ease into your day.
2. Sets your mind up for the day
Mind-set is something I very often talk about. It is the most important part of ensuring your day is as you want and allow it to be. This practice almost always allows us to show up for ourselves, be the best version we can be, helping us take control of our lives and our beings.
3. Structure to the morning
Structure is an important part to success and creating healthy habits. This tool is under-utilised by a lot of people and is underestimated in the results it can get for you. By knowing what you will be doing at what time, allows for this to be followed without stress and with the knowing you are improving yourself. So make a plan that serves you well, and flow with it every morning.
4. Improves fitness and health
Incorporating some form of movement, whether that be the gym, stretching, yoga, breath work, morning walk or even just a cheeky morning dance. Make sure to move your body and ensure you are nourishing yourself with healthy foods afterwards. Having this planned, takes a lot of pressure off yourself to know you have to exercise at some point and the anxiety when time in the day seems to be running short.
These are only a few reasons for having a morning routine, the benefits are many!
I am currently working on a morning routine guide, be sure to stay tuned. This will come out soon.