Sometimes, it can be incredibly difficult to get out of bed. There may be days where all you want to do is sleep. We must first understand that people have a wide variety of struggles– both physical and mental– that can prevent them from having society’s stereotypical “morning routine.” That being said, there is absolutely no shame in this! Mornings are not for everyone, and sometimes even getting out of bed can be a victory in itself.

Though, as someone who is a morning person, I simply wanted to share a list of steps that I have been implementing into my own routine in an attempt to set a better mood for the day. Now, I personally do not practice everything on this list every morning, so take it how you will. Whether you choose to try out all six steps, or none at all, I just hope to give some inspiration to those looking for ways to make their mornings more mindful.

Put Down Your Phone

First and foremost, I find that immediately checking my phone in the morning prevents me from starting my day with a clear head. I am instantly overwhelmed by email and text notifications, and am already comparing myself to everyone on my social media feeds. If you find yourself experiencing these same feelings, I suggest you try to stay off of your phone for the first 20 to 30 minutes after you wake up.

To be totally transparent, I don’t typically practice what I preach, and I almost always look at my phone the minute I open my eyes. However, I can honestly say the mornings where I do avoid my phone are a lot less anxiety-filled! This allotted time where you aren’t staring at a screen gives you a chance to clear your head and start your day more mindfully.

So, even though most of us are absolutely addicted to these devices, please give this step a try, even if it is only once!

Drink Water

Now that your phone is (literally) out of the way, let’s focus on our physical health. This tip seems like a no-brainer, but many people don’t take advantage of it. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, or tend to forget to hydrate throughout the day, schedule it into your routine to drink a glass each morning.

We spend hours each night fasting as we sleep (unless you sometimes get hungry and make instant oatmeal at 2am… don’t judge, we’ve all been there). So, essentially, our bodies become easily dehydrated throughout the night. That is why it is so important to drink right when we wake up, so we can quickly rehydrate and get our bodies ready to take on the day.

Fill up a glass before you go to sleep and set it beside your bed. That way, once morning rolls around, you’ll see the water and be able to drink it from the comfort of your covers. This step may seem tedious at first, but once you get into the habit, your body will be thanking you!

Take Ten Minutes For Yourself

This is a step I have recently been implementing into my morning routines and I absolutely love it. I personally set aside ten minutes to read, journal, or even stretch right after I wake up. This has allowed me to temporarily forget about the impending stressors of the day and to just start off my morning doing something that I actually enjoy.

This can entail doing yoga, meditating, coloring, or even watering the plants in your room! Whatever your “activity” of choice may be, set a timer and let yourself become fully immersed in the fun of it.

Wash Your Face

This step is obviously important in terms of hygiene. However, even when looking past that, I find that simply washing my face in the morning helps to make me feel more refreshed. Even if this just means splashing cold water on your face, it can still get you to feel a tad more awake.

Recite Affirmations

This may feel a bit silly to do at first, but the more you practice, the more of a positive impact it will have on your mindset. I literally stand in front of a mirror, look my reflection in the eyes, and give myself some much-needed love. Even if you don’t believe the words that are coming out of your mouth– say them anyway! The more you do this, eventually, the more you confidence you will have in yourself.

And, for those who may not be familiar with this concept, affirmations (in this sense) are statements of encouragement that you can (and should) recite to yourself.

Some of my personal favorites are:

  • I am worthy of love.
  • I choose positivity.
  • I am capable of conquering today.
  • I am in control of my happiness.
  • I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.

Set Intentions For Your Day

Similar to affirmations, setting a few intentions can sometimes be a determining factor for how you go about your day. This step will look different for everyone, but this can mean writing out a list of goals for your day in a journal, reciting more affirmations about how you want the day to go, or even writing a to-do list in your planner. Go about this mindfully, and I promise, you will bring good energy into the rest of your day.