How To Create A Productive Morning Routine

We all want to be "That Girl". You know the one; she wakes up early, works out, then sips on a smoothie while writing down her goals. The first step to a productive life is getting into the routine of having a productive morning.

According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit. The study also concluded that, on average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. While that may seem like a long time, at most, it will only take 8 months to form habits that will lead you to a healthier lifestyle and a clearer mindset. 

Below, in no specific order, are morning habits that have improved our lives tremendously. Remember, not everyday will be perfect and you may not be able to hit all of the steps each morning. Life is chaos, we know. But we can guarantee that taking a little time out of your day to focus on you, you are making a worthy investment into your future self.

Go to bed earlier, wake up earlier

There's something peaceful about waking up before the rest of the world. It's quiet, uninterrupted time where you can set the tone for your day. 

Now, I'm not advocating for a 5am wakeup call. The key to forming habits that stick is to be realistic and not burn yourself out immediately. For example, if you wake up at 9am - aim to wake up an hour earlier (to start). Make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Beauty sleep is real, babes, and your skin will thank you.

Put the Phone Down

If possible, try to stay off your phone first thing in the morning. If you start your day with mindless scrolling through photoshopped pictures and curated lifestyles, it's a sure fire way to feel inadequate.

Your texts and emails can wait a couple of hours. I promise. By prioritizing yourself and having 'me time', you'll better show up for the people who need you.

Practice Positive Affirmations

The thoughts you have in the morning will impact your attitude and energy throughout the day.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with a busy to-do list, but shut out those thoughts for a few minutes and focus on all the good things you have in your life. Your health, your support group, your pet, etc. Practicing gratitude will change your life.

If you don't have an extra 5 minutes, put sticky notes on your mirror. Remind yourself that you are worthy of everything you want in your life. Because, hey, you are. Imagine who you want to be, and show up as her every single day.

Get Moving

It's no secret that exercise boosts your energy levels and improves your mood. I find that when I exercise for my health instead of working out to obtain a perfect body - it becomes a habit more quickly, and doubles as gratitude and appreciation for my body and all that it does for me.

Remember to hydrate during and after. It will aid in digestion and fire up your metabolism.

Tip: Lay your workout fit out the night before so that it is ready to go when you wake up. I find that changing out of PJs immediately helps motivate me to hit the gym or go for a walk. 

Prioritize a Skincare Routine

I can't stress enough the importance of taking proper care of your skin. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on products, you just need to be consistent.

We offer a Spa Pack filled with all the essentials - our Knot Band, an OG Scrunchie to hold your hair back, and a super soft bamboo towel that your skin will love. It's also a great starter pack if you haven't tried our products yet.

Invest in a good face wash for your skin type, Vitamin C serum, and a moisturizer that doubles as sunscreen. You'll start your day glowing and your future skin will thank you when you don't have deep wrinkles and hyper hyperpigmentation from sun damage.

Healthy Breakfast of Whole Foods

If you think of food as fuel, it only makes sense to have a nourishing b-fast. I'm a firm believer in 'everything in moderation' but I have noticed that a healthy breakfast filled with whole foods energizes me, while foods high in sugar and saturated fats leave me feeling sluggish.

Some great food options to fuel your morning would be: Eggs and spinach, oats, avocado, unsweetened greek yogurt with chia seeds, whole grain waffles, fresh fruit or a smoothie bowl.

Journal / To-Do List

As I mentioned above, our lives can be hectic. It's easy to get lost on where to start when your thoughts are a jumbled mess. So, write them out.

Journaling is a relaxing ritual that will serve as a time where you can self-reflect, process and organize your thoughts. You don't have to be a writer to start writing. Try to articulate your stream of thoughts and take a moment to question yourself. This is a great activity if you have anxiety or want to boost your creativity.

Making a to-do list is proven to boost your productivity. Having a plan and sticking to it will keep distractions at bay. A little perk: it feel so satisfying to cross each item off when you are finished.