Rise and Shine: Mastering Your Morning Self-Care Routine with These Tips and Tricks

Looking to enhance your morning routine? Want to add some self-care into a current routine? Here are some tips and tricks I use to care for myself while getting ready for the day!

“The first hour of your day practically defines how your day will go. Be sure to fill that hour with gratitude, awareness, and simplicity.”

First Things First:

Wake up earlier. I’ve been practicing this by setting my alarm for an hour before I usually wake up. This gives me time to lay in bed, contemplate life, and motivate myself for the day. Usually during this hour I don’t even get out of bed. Unlike what professionals will suggest I use this time to check my socials, read an article, or just stare at the wall. This can be a productive or unproductive hour depending on how you choose to use it. However, waking up and opening my eyes in the morning can lead to willfulness for the day and a time for reflection.

Tips to go along with waking up an hour earlier include:

• Setting your alarm.

• Don’t press snooze.

• Try to not stay up too late.

“Your body is made for adjusting, make it adjust to healthier alternatives!”- Sinclair

So you’ve decided that you can do this. What’s going to keep you motivated to keep going?

Ask yourself these questions:

• What makes you feel good?

• What’s a healthy treat you would consider a reward?

• What would you do if you had an extra hour to spend?

Asking these questions and answering them can help you decide how to spend the first part of your day after waking up.

The Nitty Gritty of It.

Ok so you’re probably wondering when I’ll get to the tip and tricks you can use for your routine, well here they are! Listed below are my favorite self-care tips and why I consider them to be self-caring.

1. Clean Yourself.

If you’re like me, you probably don’t go to bed with your outside clothes on. This means bathing or showering at night to avoid dragging the outside world into your bed. While that works and does keep you clean; I found that showering in the morning, specifically a cold shower, will wake up my mind and rejuvenate my skin. While showering I personally sing, or listen to a podcast that will engage my attention or subconsciously make me think about a topic.

2. Skin Care Routine.

While I personally do this in the shower, since my routine is short, I do acknowledge that it is best practice to do your skin care routine in a dry place. This is considered self-care because you are literally caring for yourself by providing your skin with the nutrients and attention it needs.

3. Journaling.

Take some time to write out your thoughts and feelings. This helps to declutter the brain and have it refocus on the positive aspects of the upcoming day. Not only do I find myself in a better mood after journaling, I also find that I’m able to think clearer and create a momentum that’ll spur the day on and encourage gratitude and self reflection.

4. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.

You’re probably already doing this but to be fair, are you taking the time to enjoy this task? When was the last time you were excited to eat or drink? During your alone time, be sure to feel gratitude for your body and what it can do for you by nourishing your health. Plan for this time if you can, make a breakfast that you’re excited to eat. For me, this includes my favorite; french toast with peaches and honey with makuna honey coffee.

5. Take in Your Environment.

Use your senses. Taste, smell, hearing, touching, and sight. These can affect your conscious and subconscious mind as you begin your day. Be sure to try and control or fixate on the ones that make you happy and peaceful. For me I love to feel my blanket that my grandmother made me, it’s a sensory thing. I also love to smell my coffee brewing and hearing the lyrical voice of my niece singing.

6. Speak to Someone You Love.

In honor of practicing gratitude, remind yourself of someone you love and speak to them. Either tell them you love them or engage in a conversation where you’re present and in the moment.

Which of These Will You Be Trying?

These are just a few ways I personally try to start my day. The morning can set the tone for the whole day and I try to remember that practicing mindfulness and gratitude can really affect the mindset for my time.

Hey if you liked this blog post be sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with a friend! I’d also love to hear if you’re going to add one of these to your routine! Be sure to subscribe for more self-care and wellness posts!