Starting your day effectively: morning routine checklist
Mental Health & Psychology
October 4, 2022
You probably already know that a morning routine checklist for adults is a  key to productivity, but it can be hard to follow. It’s easy to wake up and hit the snooze button or check your phone before you’ve even had a chance to get out of bed. But if you commit yourself to start your day on the right foot, every day will be better than the last. Here are some tips for succeeding at this seemingly impossible task:
 Do prep work the night before
One of the most important parts of a healthy morning routine is having a plan. If you don’t know what your day will look like, it’s harder to get started on your tasks and projects.
When planning out your morning routine, set aside some time each evening to prepare for the next day. This should include things like:
 Planning out what clothing you’ll wear that day (including socks and shoes)
 Preparing breakfast and lunch for the next morning
 Putting together everything else you need for work, such as snacks or water bottles
 Wake up at the same time every day
When it comes to starting your day off on the right foot, waking up at the same time every day is one of the most important parts. The consistency of this habit will help you feel more in control of your life and help set up a routine for yourself.
If you’re having trouble getting up early, there are some simple things you can do to make sure that happens. First, set an alarm clock (or two) before going to bed so that it’ll wake up as soon as it’s time for your daily routine. Put the alarm somewhere further from your bed so that you have to get up in order to switch it off in the mornings and have time to wake up. It’ll be easier if there’s more light in the room when you wake up— open up curtains when you wake up to let some natural light in.
 Stay off your phone
Your phone is a distraction, not a friend. It can wait. Turn off notifications and put your phone in another room before you go to bed so that you don’t keep staring at it longingly as you try to fall asleep. Save the social media for later in the day, after you’ve accomplished some important tasks and feel confident enough to reward yourself with dopamine hits from likes and shares on Facebook or Instagram.
And though checking email first thing in the morning might seem like an efficient use of time, all that just-waking-up brainpower will be wasted on trying to figure out which emails are actually urgent/important/funny enough for you to read now versus later when your head is clearer (or at least less full of sleep).
 Read, journal, or take up meditation to focus and calm your mind
Your morning routine is your chance to start the day with a clean slate, so it’s important to make sure that you’re focusing on activities that will bring you peace and clarity. Start by reading something that will help you grow, like a book or magazine article. If you want to write things down as well, try keeping a journal or blog where you can express yourself freely each day.
And if all else fails and there’s no time left in the morning for anything else, don’t worry—just give yourself some time at night when all of your distractions have died down and let go of whatever happened throughout the day (even if it was just one small thing).
Meditating is another great way for people who lead busy lives to take time out for themselves once in a while; even five minutes can be enough! Try meditating by sitting quietly while focusing on breathing deeply through both nostrils until they feel clear again before getting up again.
 Plan your day
Next, it’s time to plan your day. Planning is a habit that will help you get things done, avoid procrastination, and feel more in control of your life.
The first step is to make a list of everything you want or need to do today. Next, break down each task into smaller tasks that are easier for you to start with: this technique is called chunking. Then prioritize them based on their value (how important it is), their urgency (how soon they need to be completed), and the amount of time they take up. Finally, assign yourself deadlines for each task so that nothing slips through the cracks!
 Listen to positive or motivational audio material
 Listen to a podcast. Podcasts are a great way to engage in learning that’s not too intense, but still helps you learn new things and develop new skills. You can listen while commuting or doing chores around the house, or even while taking a break from writing your morning pages (which you should definitely be doing).
 Listen to music that makes you feel good. Music is another great way to make yourself feel better throughout your day, no matter what else happens. Whether it’s classical music or pop songs (or both!), listening to something positive and uplifting can help get your mind off negative feelings and thoughts that might otherwise take over when starting the day!
 Listen to positive affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements about yourself/the world/life in general that focus on qualities like kindness, generosity, empathy…etc., rather than being focused on what’s wrong with someone else or something else outside of yourself – which is why we call them “positive” affirmations! They might feel awkward at first but stick with them long enough until they become part of who you are: then all of those bad vibes will be gone forever!
 Drink a big glass of water
Start your day on a positive note by drinking a big glass of water. Water is important for healthy skin, weight loss, and digestion, so it’s also a great way to kickstart your morning routine. The more hydrated we are, the better our skin looks. If you’re not already drinking at least eight glasses per day (and I don’t blame you if you’re not), here are some tips for how to do so:
 Drink one glass as soon as possible after waking up—this will help kickstart your metabolism first thing in the morning
 Carry around a refillable bottle to drink more throughout the day.
 Make your bed
This is one of the easiest things you can do to start your day off right, and it makes you feel accomplished even before you’ve started your day. It’s also a good habit to get into because it will help you stay organized.
 Exercise for 20-30 minutes
 Exercise for 20-30 minutes. It’s important to stay active, and no matter what time of day you choose to work out, it can help start your day off right. Even if you don’t want to get up earlier in the morning, you can still squeeze in a quick workout before work or school.
 You can do this at home or outside: If your goal is to stay fit and healthy (and who isn’t?), then getting moving is an important part of the equation. One way to keep yourself motivated is by setting aside time each day so that working out becomes more than just doing something that keeps us busy—it becomes something we look forward to!
The importance of a healthy, nutritious breakfast cannot be overstated. The first meal of the day provides fuel for your body, helps you maintain weight and energy levels, and provides essential vitamins and minerals to help keep you healthy. A good breakfast should include:
 A serving of whole grains such as oatmeal or whole wheat toast
 Protein such as eggs, cheese, yogurt (with one cup), or beans
 Fruit like berries or bananas
 Conclusion
Remember, your morning routine checklist is a tool for you to use in order to feel more awake and energized. It can also be a great way to set yourself up for success throughout the day! So don’t underestimate its power—when it comes down to it, there are only so many important things you can do each day, but if one of them is taking care of yourself (and doing so in an effective way), then that makes all the difference.