Today, I’m sharing 27 morning routine examples that you can add to your very own morning routine.
Mornings — you either love them or you hate them. Regardless of your stance, a morning routine makes your day. Rolling out of bed and starting out aimlessly breaks your day. These morning routine examples are ideas that you can use to take your mornings to the next level. Take a look through and see what morning routine examples appeal to you and apply them in your own life!
MORNING ROUTINE EXAMPLES
1. Getting out of bed routine
This part of your morning might seem overly obvious and self-explanatory. If you think about it though, there is something very ritualistic about getting out of bed. Maybe you walk across the room to shut off your alarm clock. You might put your robe and slippers on before you emerge from your bedroom. Maybe you open the blinds to see the weather outside. Don’t write this part of your morning routine off — take note of the elements that work and the ones that don’t (ahem… like checking your phone the moment you open your eyes…) and tweak it accordingly.
2. Workout routine
Working out in the morning is essential for a lot of people. Some prefer exercising first thing to feel accomplished and get it out of the way early. You could head to the gym, do a YouTube workout at home, or jog on the treadmill. Personally, I love to start my days off with a quick walk. I usually take a lap around my neighborhood for fresh air and sunlight, which feels so good so early in the day.
3. Morning skincare routine
If you’re into skincare at all, then you probably already know how important it is to make it into a routine. There are a million different products out there, so find your favorite ones that are meant to be used during the daytime. This is the time to use your SPF, by the way — no ifs, ands, or buts! Looking for a little inspiration? Here’s the current lineup for my morning skincare:
- Face wash — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser / I’ve switched to this product for winter since it’s a bit more hydrating, but I still love my OG face wash by CeraVe.
- Eye cream — Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado by Kiehl’s / I love the feel of this product! It goes on creamy but has a cool texturing process that makes it so it doesn’t budge and get into your eyes once it’s on.
- Hyaluronic acid — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid / I’ve just recently started to use this, but it has been a game-changer for my skin during cold, dry months!
- Moisturizer — Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream with Squalane by Kiehl’s / This stuff is so so good. I can’t recommend it enough!
- SPF moisturizer — RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / My mom got me hooked on this last summer and now I can’t live without it! Daily SPF is an absolute must for my delicate Irish skin.
- Facial spray — Mario Badescu Setting Facial Spray Mist with Aloe & Coconut Water / Spritzing this on is probably my favorite step in my morning skincare routine! It just feels so good and locks in all the product I just applied.
4. Getting ready routine
How do you get ready in the morning? Do you shower in the morning or the night before? Do you only wash your face and do your skincare? Maybe it alternates depending on your work schedule. Whatever the case, make sure to refine this part of your morning and stick to what works. Don’t forget to include other elements such as getting dressed, fixing hair, applying makeup, putting on jewelry, etc.
5. Making and eating breakfast routine
Whether you love or hate breakfast, it’s important that you eat something to start the day off right. When it comes to making breakfast, perhaps you like to make a hot meal like eggs or oatmeal each morning. On the other end of the extreme, maybe you take time on the weekend to meal prep something easy to eat on weekday mornings. If you’re a parent, you might be making homemade waffles and French toast on the regular. Whatever your routine is, try to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible. When I eat breakfast, I like to sit down at my dining table and catch up with YouTube videos on my phone. I consider this part of my breakfast routine!
6. School drop-off routine
If it’s your responsibility to drop the kids off at school or daycare, this is also another routine in your morning to consider. Maybe it looks something like this: After your children are done eating breakfast, you swap your PJs for a coordinated sweat set and go out to warm the car up. While you’re en route, you have a jam session with your kids in the car and review spelling words for an upcoming spelling test. Making this part of your day as predictable and fun as possible will be a gift to yourself and your kids.
7. “Waking up the house” routine
You might be wondering what the heck a “waking up the house” routine is — well, it’s just a term I made up 😂 It’s whatever you do in your home to signify that it’s daytime. It might include tasks such as going around your house to open all the shades, turn on the lights, adjust the thermostat, turn on your coffee pot and play some music from your speaker. Whatever you do at night to “get the house ready for bed,” undo that in the morning.
8. Taking medication/vitamins routine
While there are some medications you have to take in the afternoon or evening, most people are able to take all their medications/vitamins/supplements in the morning. It’s a good way to prevent forgetting to take them at all! Whether you take them as soon as you wake up or before/after breakfast, a good tip is to have them set out the night before so they’re right in your face.
9. Hydration routine
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Hydrating in the morning is SO important. Commit to drinking a glass first thing or fill up your reusable water bottle for the day. This could even be a good time to make a supplementary drink, such as a Liquid IV (this flavor is my favorite) or an Emergen-C packet.
10. Quiet time routine
It is so nice when you take the time to connect with yourself in the morning. Whatever this looks like for you, make sure you make it enjoyable! Some ideas include studying the bible, reading a fun book, saying prayers, meditating, or visualizing a successful day. Maybe you adopt a cozy little corner in your home for your quiet time that is stocked with pens, a coaster for your beverage, and your favorite throw blanket. This is totally the time to indulge in comfort.
11. Journaling routine
Writing down your thoughts in the beginning of the day is a great way to get centered with yourself. Maybe you dream about the future, do some inner work or examine the quality of your mental health. Personally, I’ve been loving The Five Minute Journal. As much as I like to journal freely with some of my favorite prompts, I have found the format of The Five Minute Journal to be so attainable. I’m not overwhelmed and rarely talk myself out of doing it because it barely takes any time to do!
12. Coffee routine
Making coffee is a ritual that many people take seriously. It’s almost like a religious experience! Whether you’re a 10-step iced latte kind of girl or rely on a good ol’ hot cup of joe, it’s an experience that you can find true joy in. The same applies if your morning beverage is matcha or freshly squeezed orange juice! To make it a smooth experience, maybe you preset your machine the night before or make sure you’ve restocked your syrups and sauces. Maybe you splurge on those super cute mugs or sleek glass straws so everything is aesthetically pleasing to your eye. Make the most of this routine — it’s something you’ll find yourself looking forward to.
13. Making the bed routine
I’ll admit it — this is something I definitely slack on, and I know there are TONS of people out there who swear by making their bed the moment they get out of it in the morning. Some people prefer letting their bed air out after being in it for 8+ hours and put off making it until a little later in the morning. No matter when you do it, I can guarantee you WILL feel better once it’s made.
14. Morning teeth hygiene routine
You know the drill: Floss, brush, and rinse with mouthwash. Whether you do it first thing or right after breakfast, make your teeth hygiene a priority in the morning. I’ve made the habit of doing this right after getting out of bed. I like to skip the floss in the morning since I feel like I haven’t produced all that much plaque overnight, but like to use a tongue scraper to eliminate my morning breath.
15. Stretching/yoga routine
A rigorous workout before dawn not your thing but you still want to move your body? Find some stretches that feel good or flow alongside a quick yoga video. You might even want to sign up for classes at your local yoga studio a few times a week!
16. Review planner/schedule routine
I’m a huge planner girlie — I love the sense of control and direction if gives me. At the end of each day, I suggest that you take stock of tomorrow’s responsibilities/activities and write down your to-do list and reminders. In the morning, set aside a few minutes to review it. Maybe inclement weather calls for a change in plans or you just found out you have to pick your niece up from school. Make the necessary adjustments to your schedule, and then get to it!
17. Checking email routine
Waking up to a full email inbox can be anxiety-inducing for anyone. Set some time aside in the morning to go through your emails, moving the spam ones to trash and starring the important ones. You can respond to your emails right then and there if you feel the need to, but this could also be a good opportunity to set a reminder to deal with them a bit later on.
18. Get ready for work routine
No matter if you work from home or commute to an office, you’re getting ready for work. Maybe you boot up your laptop and get a hot cup of tea before sitting down to work in your home office for the day. Perhaps you have a routine of packing your lunch, checking your work bag and saying goodbye to your spouse before you head out the door for the day. You will find yourself transitioning into work mode a bit easier as a byproduct of this ritualistic routine.
19. Quick chore routine
This is one of my favorite morning routine examples. Doing one quick chore is like giving yourself a gift later on in the day. No matter if you’re a stay-at-home parent or work 40+ hours a week, everyone can benefit from having one chore checked off of their to-do list early in the day. Maybe it’s taking the trash out, unloading dishwasher or sweeping the kitchen floor.
20. Taking care of pets routine
Pets are the best. I grew up with a golden retriever, but now have a very low-maintenance betta fish named Vinny. He only needs feeding once a day, but I know from past experience with my dog Sid that you can batch care tasks together for other pets. So, if you have a dog for example, you might start off by taking them on a walk, and then change their water and fill up their food bowl as soon as you get back home. Your pets deserve a spot in your morning routine!
21. Commute routine
If you commute to your job, I highly recommend that you create a routine that makes it as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Drive straight to the office or a train station? Check a maps app to get a feel for the traffic situation. Once in the car/ on the train, get into the habit of listening to your favorite music, radio station, or podcast. It could also be a great time to call friends or family members. You can really make the most of what sometimes feels like wasted time.
22. Unplug routine
I have found for myself that having too much screen time in the morning disrupts my day. I used to always reach for my phone first thing. I’d check my texts, emails, socials… and before I knew it, an hour passed by of me just laying in bed on my phone. I’d find myself anxious and rushing through the rest of the day, still needing to have my phone right nearby. Even if you don’t share a similar experience, spending some time unplugged each day is good for all of us. For example, if you find yourself watching YouTube videos while you’re doing your hair and makeup every single morning, see what it’s like without entertainment. You’ll probably focus more on what you’re doing and might even enjoy the silence. Test this out in various ways throughout the morning and see what works for you.
23. Evening prep routine
This is a big one for the people out there who are away from home all day. Similar to the quick chore routine, an evening prep routine is the perfect way to set yourself up for success later in the day. Maybe you start dinner by thawing meat in the sink or by prepping a crock pot meal. You could throw a load of clothes in the dryer, knowing you’re going to fold them later that night. Committed to going to spin class with a friend? Set your workout clothes on your bed so you can get changed as soon as you get home instead of text a last-minute excuse to cancel.
24. Go out for your coffee routine
My husband is a full-time remote worker, and there are many days where he doesn’t leave the house at all. I’m working on getting the both of us out of the house once a day, even if it’s just for a ride! If you find yourself in a similar predicament, going out for your coffee (or whatever else – putting gas in the car, getting a Target pickup, etc.) is a great way to get out of the house. Maybe you can’t do it every single morning since it can get pricy, but making it happen a few times a week could give you that serotonin boost you need.
25. Catching up with news routine
Need to know what happened in the world while you were sleeping? Carve out time to read the paper, check the score, or put your favorite news station. If you find that consuming too much news is overwhelming but you still want to be informed, put a time limit on it.
26. Tend plants routine
This routine could definitely change along with the seasons, but it’s important to remember our plants and/or garden in the morning! Whether you have to tend to them daily or weekly, make a designated time for it so you don’t accidentally neglect them. I currently only have indoor plants, but I have a reminder to water them each Friday morning.
27. Study routine
It’s important to study with a fresh mind, and the morning is the perfect time for that. Perhaps you review flash cards or notes before a test, or even just to stay sharp and make sure you understand material. You also don’t have to be a student in school to have a study routine. Maybe you’re learning a new language or teaching yourself how to knit. Get your mind going in the morning by practicing your skills!
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Are there any morning routine examples I missed? What are the morning routine examples you include in your mornings? Let me know in the comments below!
This blog post was all about morning routine examples.
RELATED: Want more morning routine examples content? Read my blog posts Morning Routine For Success | 3 Secrets You Need To Know and 10 Tips For An Insanely Productive Morning Routine for even more inspiration!
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