our ideal morning routine⌇mindful morning rituals

WELLNESSPRODUCTIVITY
Written By Jasmine Irven

written by jasmine irven

You probably guessed this was coming! Our ideal nighttime routine has received a lot of positive feedback, so we decided to share our ideal morning routine as well!

Included are a number of  simple & sustainable ways to upgrade your morning routine, giving you the beautiful opportunity to start your day with ease and intention. I hope you are able to set your alarm a little bit earlier tomorrow, and begin implementing some, or all of these into your morning.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our ideal nighttime routine and take some time to cultivate your own nighttime habits and rituals!

This may seem backwards, but the reality is if you aren’t getting proper sleep with intentional wind-down time and a healthy sleep schedule, you aren’t going to be able to have the energy to tackle your morning routine. 

If what we’ve written doesn’t work for you, that’s totally okay! Take what resonates and leave the rest (I swear this saying is in all my posts, lol). The idea behind this post is to provide you with some inspiration so you can begin crafting a morning routine that serves you.

When we have a daily routine, with simple rituals and practises we love, we have the opportunity to start our day on a positive note, knowing that we did something good for ourselves, and accomplished something before even leaving the house!

Achieving tasks early in the morning can also help to boost your mood, as you have moments to look forward to. Whether that’s getting up early to journal and enjoy a cup of coffee, read our book, or go for a walk, having these rituals in place can help us to stay grounded. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t have variety in your life! It’s about working on finding a balance between allowing for flow + flexibility in your daily life while still having some key rituals and routines you can rely on to bring you structure, bring you back into the moment, or bring you back into yourself.

Looking for more inspiration? Be sure to check out our post on 6 simple rituals to add to your morning routine. 

please note

My hope is that you do not feel overwhelmed by this routine, but rather that these ideas will inspire you to try and incorporate a few key habits into your morning for the chance to reconnect with yourself, and to start your day relaxed. Remember,

  • you by no means need to all or even any of these.

  • life happens. it is very unlikely that every day will look like this (if yours does i’m jealous).

So, with that, I hope you’re able to find a balance between not feeling overwhelmed having too much to do (aka letting go of what you *should be doing* - as prescribed by everyone else), and still finding that sacred time to incorporate some key habits and rituals that reflect how you want to be spending your time, and what serves you best.

wake up

While an obvious part of anyone’s morning routine, here I’m specifically referring to how you wake up. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been caught hitting snooze multiple times, even after telling yourself the night before that you absolutely would not. 

The unfortunate reality is that going back to sleep after your alarm goes off can actually increase your level of tiredness and make you feel drowsy, because you don’t have the opportunity to fall back into a deep sleep and instead each time you snooze you dip in and out of a surface level sleep.

The more you snooze, the more confused your body and brain become (“ummm are we getting up or not?”), and the more unsettled your internal clock becomes (especially if each day you’re getting up at a different time). 

Tips for a better wake-up: 

  • Set your alarm for the same time every day.

  • Be realistic in your wake-up time. If you’re trying to start getting up earlier, consider shifting the time slowly, moving it 5-15 minutes earlier every 2-3 days to give your body time to adjust. 

  • Wake up when your alarm goes off. You need to associate the sound of your alarm with waking up, or your body will begin to ignore it. 

  • Use the time you would have spent snoozing to cultivate a ritual or routine you’re really excited about. 

  • Set your alarm clock out of reach, either across the room or in a different room. 

  • If you hate the sound of your alarm, change it up every month or so! Consider using a song that excites you, or getting an alarm clock like this Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock which simulates the sunrise (this is especially helpful if it’s winter, the days are longer and/or you need to get up before the actual sun rises). 

  • Ensure your phone isn’t nearby! Scrolling your phone first thing in the morning is the worst form of early morning self-sabotage.  

hydrate

After being asleep for (ideally) 8 hours, your body needs to be hydrated!

It’s no wonder we wake up feeling tired and lacking energy, when we’re completely dehydrated. I keep a glass of water by my bed so I can take a few moments to drink it before I leave my bedroom.

make your bed

This is a non-negotiable for me.

I love the sense of control and peace I get when I can complete a simple task like making my bed first thing in the morning. Making your bed is shown to kick start a chain reaction of organization and focus, helping you to increase your productivity and complete more tasks, because you feel accomplished for having already completed a simple win! 

skincare

My current facial routine includes a 1-minute wash, which was something I learned from Celeste Thomas of The True Spoon blog as a simple tip for clearer skin.

Set a timer and take the full minute to wash your face; starting by wetting your face with warm water to open your pores, then (after turning the water off) using your face wash of choice to lather in all areas of your face. notice where you spend the most time naturally; are there any areas you’ve been neglecting? Once the minute is up, splash your face with cold water to close off the pores again.

After the one minute wash, I go about utilizing any other serums or moisturizers I am currently using, before applying SPF. The skincare routine you choose to implement should really be unique to your skin type, which is why I don’t want to give any specific recommendations!

Instead, I’d recommend doing some research online, and/or seeing a dermatologist or other skincare expert who can truly take a look at your skin and let you know what you need. 

This routine can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Other options might include a jade roller and/ or gua sha tool, a facial oil, toner, or face mask. The purpose of this part of my morning routine is to show my skin a little self-love early on, and to give some time for the products to set in before I do my makeup. 

P.S. if I’m doing more intense movement where I know I’ll need to shower afterwards, I save my skincare for after my shower and instead just do a quick splash of cold water to wake myself up.

stretching

After 8 hours of sleep, it’s common to wake up feeling stiff, and implementing a simple stretching routine is an absolute game-changer. 

Stretching is an amazing way to connect with and increase awareness of your body, feel into any areas of tension and release them, help with any pain and/or injuries (as well as preventing new ones), and just overall helping you to feel good. Seriously - take note of how you feel before and after this practise and you will be amazed at the differences. It’s kind of addicting.  

I find 10 minutes to be the perfect sweet spot, but obviously it’s important to make this routine your own! One of my favourite guided stretches is this one by Yoga with Kassandra. 

morning meditation

Cultivating my own meditation practise is something I am continuously working on. Starting your day with 10-15 minutes of intentional breathing, focus, and clarity is a great way to set a positive, calm tone for the entire day.

When we wake up and check our notifications, texts, or emails, we’re immediately plunged into our to-do lists, and can feel stress and overwhelm immediately.

If instead, you put meditation first, you’re starting your day in a state of relaxation, peace, and happiness, which can carry throughout the day, long after you end the practise. 

Resources: 

coffee + journaling

I love the comfort of a warm morning drink, especially when sipped slowly while going over my goals for the day, and writing some gratitudes or morning pages. Although most days this drink is still coffee, I like to alternate my morning cup with drinks like green tea or matcha, a turmeric latte, or Foursigmatic’s mushroom cacao with cordyceps. YUM. 

P.s if you order the matcha or turmeric adaptogenic blend from Lake and Oak, you can use the code sustainablebliss for 15% off your order! And you’re supporting a local Toronto company. 💛

smoothie

I love a good smoothie in the morning to boost my energy levels and provide me with some complex carbs for my workout. Everyone’s body is totally different so take this with a grain of salt and listen to your own body, but I need something light in my stomach before I go to workout, or I get lightheaded.

A smoothie like this spinach and avocado green smoothie is the perfect thing for me to make and drink before I head to the gym. 

workout

I love to vary my workouts so this could include anything from taking a class at the local gym, going on a run or a walk while listening to a podcast, taking a yoga class, or following along with some at-home workout videos!

My favourite at home videos include: 

shower + get ready

If I have a little extra time I’ll do an essential oil shower, and if I’m feeling courageous I like to switch to cold water for the last 30 seconds to give my body an extra boost of energy!

breakfast

I love a good, nutritious breakfast to give me the energy I need to be productive, happy, and kind throughout my day.

For me this means a healthy meal with a mix of carbs, healthy fats, and protein. Normally? Avocado toast with hummus, spinach, hemp hearts, and everything but a bagel seasoning or a yogurt or cereal bowl packed with nuts, seeds, and fruit. If I have the time, it might look like pancakes or a tofu or chickpea scramble with avocado and veggies.

If I know I’m going to have a busy morning, I like to take the time to prep something healthy & hearty the night before. My favourite prep-ahead breakfasts include overnight oats, coconut yogurt parfaits, or chia puddings >>>. 

crafting your own morning routine

Your routine could be as quick as a few minutes to wake up, drink water, get ready, and do some breathing exercises while on your commute, or as long as a few hours, including longer periods of journaling, reading, sipping your coffee slowly on the porch, or going on a walk. 

Because I work from home, I have a lot more flexibility regarding my work hours and schedule, which is amazing for cultivating such a beautifully supportive morning routine.

However, like I said at the beginning of this post, if this timeline and/or these suggestions for rituals don’t resonate with you that’s totally okay! 

Instead, 

  • Sit down and truly reflect on what your ideal morning routine looks like. How is this different from your current morning routine?

  • Ask yourself: how can I connect with myself on a deeper level daily? Where can I make space in my day for the things I love? What brings me deep joy? 

  • Make a plan of action and begin incorporating these things into your day. Be REALISTIC. Don’t overwhelm yourself right away. Maybe start by waking up 15 minutes earlier to go for a walk around the block, or to sit with your coffee. Then work your way up. 

  • Try implementing one thing from your routine tomorrow! 💛

And there it is, a comprehensive list of all the things I (ideally) include in my morning routine. I hope these rituals and routines inspire you to make the most of your mornings, giving you the opportunity to relax and prepare for the day ahead. 

Sustainable Bliss Collective endorses products & brands we genuinely love and support. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything but we may earn a commission. Learn more here.

share this on Pinterest!

about the author

2020-08Jasmine-71.jpg

Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.

I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.

Connect with me on Instagram here!

Jasmine Irven

I help women reduce stress and inflammation through simple, plant-based nutrition, cleansing meditation sessions, and resources to connect mind, body, and soul.

http://jasmineirven.com/
Previous

simple ways to stay calm and positive amidst chaos, from 5 meditation teachers
Next

on worry