Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day, so what you do and how you do it matters. 

Healthy living is about more than just eating right and moving your body. Especially when you’re a mom, we have to align our bodies and minds before the chaos of the day begins! So here are six steps to do just that every morning. 

This first step is really important, but aside from that you can use these tips in an order that feels right and works for you. The most important thing to remember is that our whole day can be defined by the first few hours after we wake up, so it’s important to use that time wisely to make choices that support healthy living and happiness!

1. AVOID SCREENS

I know we all grab for our phones as soon as we wake up -  what did we miss while we were sleeping?  It’s totally normal to want to open social media, check your emails, or respond to texts, but those things can wait. 

Set a time that feels doable for you to avoid your phone in the morning. Maybe that’s 20 minutes or a full hour. Whatever you decide, this will help you to prepare for the day without added distractions. 

Remember that our phones can also be a massive source of stress for us. It’s totally OK to put that off for a bit while you move through your morning routine. 

2. STRETCH YOUR BODY 

Stretching is a super easy way to keep your body primed for movement and to help avoid injury. Whether it’s a quick warm-up for your workout or a gentle way to ease into your day, I think it should be a staple in everyone’s morning routine. You can stretch morning and night, of course, but if you only have time for one, the morning is my go-to because it helps me warm up and wake up every part of my body. 

You don’t have to do some crazy long stretching routine. Here is one of my favorites: 6 Stretches for Sciatica. A simple one with a collection of full-body stretches will do. If you do this regularly, over time, you’ll notice the positive effects of this frequent stretching in the gym and at home! 

3. ENJOY A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

I say “enjoy” because a delicious and healthy meal can boost your mood and fuel your body! Sometimes I have clients come to me who are diligent about sticking to their macros and their diet, but they’re not enjoying their meals. That’s why I created the Nourish Cookbook, so you can meet your goals while enjoying healthy, nourishing food that’s exciting to cook and eat!

My Protein Pancakes are a big hit in my house, and I constantly get questions from clients and followers about the recipe. If you’re looking for a protein-packed breakfast, try these!

4. SET A TONE FOR THE DAY WITH MINDFULNESS

Setting aside your phone in the morning is part of this mindfulness step, but there are other methods to align your mind and body, set your intentions, and connect with yourself in the morning. Here are just a few ways:

• Take a morning walk alone
• Sit or stand outside in silence for a few minutes
• Journal 
• Listen to music that calms and grounds you
• Read for a few minutes

These are just a few, but they all have this underlying theme of quiet time in solitude. When we lean into the quiet moments, we can become more in touch with what we’re feeling and what’s happening around us. These moments are a great time to think through what you want to experience today and practice affirmations to build up your sense of self. 

Related: Meditation Walk

5. PLAN OUT YOUR ACTIVITIES/ERRANDS

You can complete this step while eating breakfast, or it can be the last step, but I promise it will help you feel more prepared for your day. Creating a list of your schedule is not only helpful to keep you on track. It also acts as an accountability tool. 

If you decide that you’re going to go to the gym, placing it in your schedule for the day means that you (1) have a window to exercise and (2) you’re confirming that it’s important to you. Writing out a schedule is an efficient way to keep your priorities straight, and it takes the pressure off of you to try and remember what each day holds.

Related: Have a Plan at the Gym

6. REHYDRATE

It’s super important to rehydrate your body in the morning after fasting overnight, so filling a water bottle and keeping it by your bedside can be a great visual reminder for the morning. If you’re a coffee drinker or love a good protein shake in the morning, try to drink water first. 

If you hydrate in the morning and then take your water bottle with you, you’ll spend less time and energy playing catch up during the day and thinking, “Have I had enough water? Do I need to drink more? Why do I have a headache right now?” Trust me; mornings are the time to rehydrate and realign! 

These are just a few of the things that work for me. Let me know if you have anything helpful that you’ve added to your routine lately! The great thing is, that routines pretty quickly become a habit, and then before you know it, you’re living a healthy lifestyle. 

XO,

Bree