I’ve been struggling with creating the best morning routine since I got my license, and started driving my self to work. Before that I was sort of wedged into whatever family member was driving me to work’s morning routine, which gets you where you need to go, but doesn’t give you the calm start to keep you energized through-out the day. Even a year or so into my career I was struggling with mornings. I liked to blame it on how my schedule would change, sometimes late nights, sometimes early mornings, but really it’s because I hadn’t set up proper routine’s. Routine’s for the everyday are so important, they give space for spontaneity.

Habit One: Consistent bed time.
Self care for me always comes back to sleep. It’s one of the most important things that we can do for our health. When I set a sleep/wake routine for myself, and I stick with it, I almost don’t even need an alarm, for me this is one of the best feelings. When I wake up on my own, and I can enjoy the sunrise, and a slow calm morning. However, it takes about two or three weeks to sleep train yourself. If your schedule fluctuates like mine, dedicate yourself to it, if your off one night, brush it off and get right back to your bed time the next night. You will be amazed how good you start to feel with the same seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Habit Two: Greet the sun. 
Natural light is so good for us, but if you have black out curtains like I do then it’s easy to trick yourself into thinking it’s earlier than it is, and to lie in bed all day. So when you wake up, get up, get the curtain’s open, get some soft lights on. If there’s any kind of out door space, get a little fresh air. Getting out of bed and into the light will let your body know that it’s time to be up, and it’s easy to slip into the kitchen for some tea.

Habit Three: Be active
Once you’re up and had your tea (coffee if that’s your thing) get your blood moving. I’m no going to lie and say that I love to be at the gym. I don’t. I go, because exercise is good for my physical and mental health, but I would much rather be on a hike, or a swim, or riding my bike. However, I do really like the endorphins I get from exercising consistently every week. Doing some stretches, or light exercise gets the blood moving, and your brain releasing those endorphins. Happy endorphins are the second best start to the day. A good night sleep is the first. (wink wink)

Habit Four: Make your bed.
I know, flash back to your mom – maybe your dad. It isn’t just holy. Making your bed sets a productive tone. When you go through your room, at least one part of it is neat, you’ve accomplished something before you’ve left the house, it’s inviting when you get home. What could be better for your evening whined down than a neat inviting bed?

Habit Five: Eat Breakfast; Drink Some Water. Really!
It doesn’t have to be breakfast food, but put something with some nutrition in your body, and for all the love you have for yourself drink some water. You wouldn’t try to drive your car thrifty miles when you’ve only got ten miles of fuel, don’t expect your body to function without fuel either. If you’ve eaten something, and had some water than you will be less tempted to grab something greasy or fired (once in a while we should all have something indulgent). It’s not just about the nutrition, it’s also good for the budget. Save your temptation for something truly decadent.