By Coach Michele P.

Morning routines are kind of my thing. 

I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t have a morning routine.  Even as a little girl, I would pick out my clothes the night before a school day, pack my lunch, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.  Yes…I am one of those people! But after becoming a mom and health coach, I have come to realize not everyone views a morning routine as being important.

But are they really important or is it something that just those “Type-A, planner type of people” do?

Actually, there is a lot of information out there about the benefits of a good morning routine.

In a recent book study, we did in our member’s group, “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast,” Laura Vanderkam shares just how important a morning routine is….for everyone!

“A morning routine helps eliminate stress, increases productivity, and helps in prioritizing and better time management.  However, not all morning routines look or work the same for everyone.”

Take a moment and think about what your morning routine looks like.  Do you hit the snooze button once, twice, or three times before rolling out of bed?  Did you know that by doing that you are actually starting your day off on the wrong foot?

According to Marygrace Taylor, a health and wellness author of The Negative Impact of Hitting the Snooze Button, said, “Hitting the snooze button will probably make you feel foggy and more tired and regularly relying on it to sneak in more Zzz’s will mess with your body’s internal clock, which can actually deprive you of sleep and set you up for some major health problems.”

Now, think about what you want to get out of a morning routine.  Do you want to have time to meditate?  Drink a hot cup of coffee?  Get in a morning workout?

Let’s dig into why they are so important:

Studies show routines are great for our mental health. They’re especially beneficial for people with depression, anxiety, and recovering addicts.  You might think creating and maintaining a routine sounds boring or stressful. But in the long run, a routine will reduce stress and anxiety. 

Not having a routine often creates the constant worry of “when will I get it all done.”  Having a routine will lead to lower stress levels which helps lead to better mental health, less anxiety, and more time to relax. When you don’t have a good and consistent routine to manage your stress level it will negatively impact your overall health.

 Not having a routine can also negatively affect healthy food choices. Planning your meals at the beginning of the week, or at the very least, the night before will help in choosing healthier food options. Choosing something healthy to eat first thing in the morning will start your day out right. At Disruptive Nutrition, we talk a lot about planning ahead.  Planning what you will eat for the week, creating a grocery list, going to the grocery, and food prepping will help you make healthy food choices.  Planning equals routine!

Below is a list of things I have found helpful in creating a morning routine:

Wake up at the same time every day.  Even on the weekends.  (yes you read that right) If you wake up at the same time every day, you can reinforce the circadian rhythm reinforcing your sleep schedule. Your circadian rhythm keeps your digestive system and metabolism in balance. By doing this your bodily functions and cycles operate efficiently, keeping your system strong and energized.

Have a set of easy, healthy breakfast options.  This will help fuel your body in a healthy way from the start because you’re not wondering what to eat. Remember, the key to fueling your body is to have a balance of protein, fat, and carb at every meal, so planning ahead will make this much easier!  I often start the day with a PFC-balanced protein shake.  Want some great recipe ideas?  Check them out here!

Create a prioritized “ideal morning” list for getting ready.  Having a quick checklist of all the things you need to do ensures you aren’t running out the door realizing you forgot to feed the dog or pack your child’s lunch.  It can also eliminate mundane decisions like whether you should brush your teeth before or after getting dressed. 

Leave at the same time every day.  This, along with waking up at the same time every day gives your morning routine a set time frame.  Plan backward from there, knowing how much time each task takes so you are set up for success with each item on your “ideal” list.

A consistent morning routine will help you feel you have control over your day and will give you the confidence to accomplish the tasks on your to-do list.

Everyone is unique. Not everyone requires a fully scheduled day to reap the health benefits of a good morning routine.  So make the choices that work for you, knowing they’ll only make you healthier and more efficient with your time. 

We would love to know what you do for your morning routine…comment below!

 Coach Michele P

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