We always have a million different things on our to-do lists and the morning seems to have a to-do list of its own. There’s always an endless pile of laundry, dishes, and kids to take to and from school or activities. And maybe in the morning you already wake up feeling heavy from the multitude of things weighing on you.

A good morning routine can help to set the tone for the rest of the day and ensure that you start off with a positive mindset so you are ready to tackle anything that the day brings.

How do morning routines reduce stress?

Having pre-planned tasks and plenty of time to complete them gets your day started off on the right foot rather than the wrong one.

What can I do?

Some things to include in your morning routine to reduce stress include some time to work on creating the right mindset to help you start your day. A few ways to do this include reciting affirmations, spending time visualizing your goals and dreams, or even just intentionally moving your body with exercise to boost your mood.

Affirmations

80% of women experience self-deprecating thoughts which can bring down your mood. Changing that dialogue can help. Say affirmations outloud to yourself in the morning, focusing on “I am” statements rather than “I will.” For example, “I am smart, confident and beautiful and I am going to have an amazing day!”

Exercise

Exercise can boost your mood and raise your energy so try spending 20-30 minutes moving in the mornings to set the tone for the day. It’s even better if you can move your workout outside and get sunshine to improve your mood, especially in the colder months when we don’t get out enough.

Reading

Try spending even a few minutes reading a book on something you want to learn about or you want to achieve. There are experts out there that have already written about what you may want to know. Aim to read 10 pages a day or listen to 20 minutes of an audio book to start consistently learning a new skill or to learn how to start working on a more positive mindset.

Quiet Time

Is there a lot of noise in your life? Add some silence to your day through meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling or prayer. Visualize your dreams in your head with great detail. What do they look like or smell like when you achieve them? What can you hear? How do you feel? Jot these things down in a journal to refer to when you feel like you’re losing your focus and getting off track.

Carve out some time to start trying a few of these things in the morning. Eventually you can wake up an hour earlier to have your own personal ‘power hour’ for the day, including 5 minutes each of silence, affirmations, visualization, and writing, and 20 for reading and exercise. Soon you will be enjoying your stress-free morning routine that will get you ready to conquer your day!