You yawn, hit the snooze button three times and immediately check your email. Before you know it, you’re overwhelmed and behind. But what if you could swap that scatter for focus simply by changing how you start your day? A purposeful morning routine doesn’t just sound good – it works.
“A solid morning routine increases your sense of control, reduces constant decision-making, helps regulate your mood, improves focus and sets you up for a productive day,” says CentraState mental health expert Amy Metzger, MSW, LCSW. “Think of it as a domino effect; when you start your day with clear, purposeful actions, subsequent tasks become easier.”
“The key isn’t perfection – it’s consistency,” says Metzger. “A few minutes of gratitude journaling with your coffee, a five-minute stretch, a short walk or simply making your bed can create a cascade of mental clarity and motivation for the day that lies ahead.”
How to Build a Morning Routine That Sticks
- Ditch the snooze. Interrupted sleep can leave you groggier. If you need 10 more minutes, just set your alarm for later, Metzger suggests.
- Start small. Try one to two new habits at a time.
- Limit decisions. Choose your clothes or prep breakfast the night before to reduce mental overload.
- Write down the morning routine activities you want to establish, look at them first thing when you wake up and mindfully do them before tackling anything else.
- Don’t wait for motivation. Behavioral activation – a therapeutic approach endorsed by the National Institute of Mental Health – suggests that action precedes motivation. Doing a helpful task, even without feeling like it, creates forward momentum.
When you take control of your morning, you set the tone for everything that follows. No need to run a marathon before breakfast – just take one clear, intentional step. The rest of your day will thank you.
LIVE LIFE WELL
Looking for other ways to take control of your health and well-being? CentraState’s LIVE LIFE WELL℠ program can help with education and support to live your best life, no matter where you are on the health spectrum. Visit LIVE LIFE WELL to learn more.
