In this new article you’ll learn how to create a morning routine.

Do you have a hard time getting going in the mornings no matter how hard you try? Or are you one of those people (or families) that have the perfect morning routine/morning habits in place so that you can just hum along and have a wonderful day?

You may not realize it, but your morning habits really do set the tone for your day. If your morning starts out difficult, chances are your day is going to be very long and difficult. However, if you jump out of bed and your morning runs perfectly smooth, you’re more likely to have a wonderful and productive day.

One of the keys to creating successful morning habits and having a productive day, is the night before. In order to make sure that you are going to have a productive day, you must do everything you can the night before so that you’re not scrambling around to make sure you have all you need.

Here in this article, you will find proven tips and tricks to setting up your own perfect morning routine so that you can make sure that you get everything done and get your day off on the right foot- which will cause a chain reaction and help you to have a successful, productive day. Additionally, you will find some tips for teaching your children to develop their own morning routine. After all- it’s best to start them early so that they can carry the habit into their adulthood.

Why are morning rituals important?

1. Gives You Time to Plan and Reflect Upon the Day Ahead.

Having morning habits/a morning routine in place will help you to have the time that you need to plan your day. You won’t be running around like crazy trying to figure out what needs to be done and your morning will run much more smoothly than you ever thought possible.

2. Reduces Your Stress Level- at Least for the Mornings.

Having a routine means that you can go through it without thinking about it. This frees your mind to think about other things, which means that you can have a much more productive day and be much happier and healthier.

3. You’ll Have Time To Enjoy Your Morning.

As I mentioned above, once you have a morning routine in place, you won’t have to worry about it. You’ll have the time that you need to enjoy your coffee/tea and newspaper- or even time to watch the news.

4. You Can Make it Work For You.

A morning routine can work for you. There’s not one “perfect” way to do it. You can do what you need to do and make it work for you personally. If you get into it and find that something you’re doing is not working, then you can change it as you see fit.

5. Gives You Something to Depend On.

Life is not always dependable. Things happen that throw us off course. However, one thing you can depend upon is your morning routine- it typically never changes. Even if something does happen, you have that extra time cushion that doesn’t throw you completely off course.

6. Helps You to be Productive and Successful.

Since you take the time to create your “to do” lists and to get a plan in place for completing that “to do” list- you can be more productive and successful. You’ll be able to achieve that promotion that you desire at work.

How To Create a Morning Routine:

Start the night before.

1. Load and Run Your Dishwasher.

Running your appliances in the evening will also help you to save money because typically, during off-peak hours, the rates are cheaper. Plus, loading and running the dishwasher in the evenings will save you time the next morning because you don’t wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes.

2. Set Up the Coffee Pot.

If you’re like me, you enjoy waking up to a cup of hot coffee. Setting up the coffee pot and setting the timer the night before means you’re not stumbling into the kitchen to make coffee before starting your day. There’s nothing like waking up to the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the house!

3. Create Your “To Do” List.

Sit down and make a plan for the next day. Write out your “to do” list such as appointments, projects that must be completed, and anything else that you have to get done. This will help you to decide what things you need to gather and what clothes would be best for your tasks.

4. Get Everything Together for Your Day.

Take some time to gather all paperwork and anything else you may need to get things on your “to do” list completed. If you have children, have them make sure that they have all their homework together and any papers that you need to sign have been signed. Place all of these near your door so that all you have to do is pick them up on your way out.

5. Prepare Lunches.

If you take your lunch to work, take some time to prepare them the night before. This will save lots of time the next morning. Sometimes, when I’m cooking dinner, I’ll cook a little bit extra so that we can have leftovers for lunch the next day. Then, when I’m putting it away, I’ll portion it out so that everyone has something to take with them for the day.

SEE ALSO: How To Deal With Procrastination And Laziness: 39 Practical Strategies

6. Straighten Up the Kitchen.

Put away dinner stuff and make sure all the dishes are in the dishwasher (see #11). Wipe down all counters and make sure that all paperwork is put where it belongs.

7. Decide Breakfast for the Next Morning.

Take a few minutes to decide what you’re planning for breakfast the next morning. Get out the dishes and set them on the table along with any non-perishable items. This way, if you’re short on time, kids that are old enough can prepare their own breakfast. Plus, there’s no argument about what’s for breakfast- it’s already been decided.

8. Now, Breathe.

Take a look around you and see what you were able to get accomplished. Now, think of all the time you’ll save the next morning. Of course, remember that even though you’ve done all of this now doesn’t mean that you can hit the snooze button the next morning- you still should get up and get your day started!

9. Go to Bed at a Decent Hour the Night Before.

There will be more on this later, but make sure that you get your bag/briefcase together, choose your outfit, and set your alarm before going to bed. By doing some of the essentials the night before, you’ll have more time in the mornings. Going to bed at a decent hour will ensure that you get the sleep that you need to be able to function the next day.

10. Don’t Hit Snooze.

The snooze button is an evil trick. Sure, you may think you’re getting “five more minutes” of sleep-but in reality, you’re not. If you don’t like waking up early, put your alarm on the other side of the room so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Now- stay up.

11. Leave the Bedroom.

When you wake up and get out of bed- leave your bedroom. It can be easy to be tempted to crawl back in bed if you stay in your room. Go to the kitchen and get a cup of coffee or go brush your teeth to get rid of that morning breath.

12. Get in Some Exercise.

Starting your day off with some sort of physical activity- whether you go for a run, do some yoga, or whatever- will help get your body moving and your blood flowing. Additionally, it’s good for your body and your overall health.

13. Take a Shower.

Of course, if you’re a person that prefers to wait until the last possible moment to get out of bed and run out the door, it might be best if you take a shower the night before. However, if you have the time, taking a shower in the mornings can help to clear the sleep from your head and get your mind and body going.

14. Eat a Healthy Breakfast.

Many people do this last- or even in the car on the run- but if possible, it’s best if you can get your breakfast before you get dressed so you don’t have to worry about spilling on your work clothes. You’ve always heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day- and it’s the truth. Healthy options include: oatmeal, eggs, sausage/bacon, smoothie, fruits, toast, or yogurt. Take the time to think about what you’re going to eat the night before so you don’t have to think about it in the morning.

15. Get Ready for Your Day.

Now, take the time to wash your face, brush your hair, apply your makeup and put on some deodorant. You don’t want to brush your teeth immediately after eating, as eating/drinking weakens the enamel on your teeth and brushing immediately can cause enamel to be washed away- however, you can use mouthwash, chewing gum, or mouth spray to freshen your breath. You’ll need to wait at least an hour after eating to brush.

SEE ALSO: How To Improve Yourself Everyday: 25 Self-Improvement Tips & Strategies

16. Leave Five Minutes Early.

Make sure that your transportation is working. If you utilize public transportation, make sure that there are no delays. If you drive yourself, make sure that there are no delays or detours on your route. A five minute cushion can make all the difference in making it to work (or school) on time.

17. Make a Plan

In order to have a productive day, you must make a plan for yourself. Set goals- both long and short term. Jot down your “to do” list (see #13) and make a plan to get those things accomplished. If you don’t have a plan in mind for your goals, you’re probably going to have a difficult time achieving them.

18. Put “To Do” List in Order of Priority

Now that you have a “to do” list, put the tasks in order of priority. For example, if you have two projects on your desk- one that needs to be completed in a week and one that you have three weeks on, put the one that you only have a week to work on first. This way, you can get it out of the way. If you have work left from the previous day, make sure that you take some time to get it completed as well before moving on to something else (this is sometimes a struggle for me- I get so many things going, I don’t always prioritize very well).

19. Utilize Your Commute.

Sure, you may enjoy listening to some great music on your commute- but why not use it for something constructive and productive such as listening to self-improvement books on tape or some foreign language learning? Maybe get yourself some inspirational/motivational music to get your inspiration going? With the technology that we have these days, if you use public transportation, take some time to catch up on your emails for the day- so that’s one less thing you have to do when you get to the office.

20. Don’t Forget to Take Breaks.

Okay, so you’re probably wondering how in the world you can be productive if you’re taking breaks, right? I thought the same thing. However, taking breaks actually does improve your productivity. You will find that taking a few minutes to get up and walk away actually helps you to redirect your focus when you return. Make sure that you schedule the breaks in your day when you’re making your daily plan so that you’re not haphazardly taking them.

21. Adjust Your Attitude.

One very important way to have a wonderful and productive day is to adjust your attitude. A negative attitude will cause you to have a bad day- it’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. A positive attitude will help you to accept things as they come (see #26) and have a wonderful and productive day. The challenges are going to come- accept them with a smile.

22. Stay Away from Gossip.

Taking part in the latest gossip- whether listening to it or spreading it- will cause you to be labeled as inefficient and ineffective. This could cause you more problems. Plus, it can cause you to have a negative attitude which can potentially ruin your day. So- avoid it as much as possible. If someone comes to you wanting to talk about something, politely tell them that you’re not interested in discussing it at work.

23. Always Look to Improve.

You should always be on the lookout to improve yourself- whether through taking classes or reading books. You already have some wonderful talents and abilities- just find ways to improve upon those and you’ll be much more productive and successful in life.

24. Set Some Milestones.

Sure, it’s great to have an idea of what you want your life to look like in five years- ten years- or more. However, you must set some milestones to make those dreams come true. So, if you want to be president of the company someday, and right now, you’re a secretary- set some milestones to make that ultimate goal come true.

25. Take in Some Sunshine During the Day.

Taking some time to get out in the sunshine during the day will actually help your body to effectively produce melatonin, which will help you to get some sleep at night. Now, it’s not necessarily a miracle cure, but you will find that you will have less of those restless nights if you take some time to get outside and be active.

26. Get Some Exercise.

Getting some exercise will actually help you to relax. However, you must make sure that you don’t exercise too close to bedtime or the endorphins will have the opposite effect and will keep you awake.

27. Stop Stimulants Early.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evenings. Even though alcohol will help you to fall asleep, it will actually end up causing you to have trouble staying asleep. Tobacco products can also actually cause you to have difficulty falling asleep.

28. Create a Bedtime Routine.

Train your body to get a good night’s sleep by creating a bedtime routine. Never get in bed if you’re wide awake- take some time to relax whether that’s by reading or taking a warm bath. Don’t do any work or physical activity too close to bedtime. If you have something on your mind, write it down so that your mind is clear.

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I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to create a morning routine. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.