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How to Reset Your Morning Routine for Success + Printable Mantras

How to Reset Your Morning Routine for Success + Printable Mantras

When was the last time you considered your morning routine? You’ve probably heard about the benefits of waking up early a million times. Unless you’re a morning person, sticking to an earlier wake-up time is much easier said than done. 

Setting an alarm even 30 minutes earlier can feel like a chore if you’re not fully convinced of the benefits. Maybe you’ve given waking up early a shot, but you still prefer the extra shut-eye. Some people might even blame their aversion to mornings on genetics. Even if you are naturally less inclined to rise and shine, check out these fast facts:

  1. Early risers are more likely to anticipate problems and solve them efficiently. 
  2. Morning people tend to be more amicable and have a more positive outlook.
  3. People who wake up early tend to eat healthier than people who don’t.

    Figuring out a morning routine that works for you personally is the key to sticking with it. If you’re a snooze hitter who wishes you could stay in your pajamas and fall back asleep, it’s still 100 percent possible to shift your natural tendencies, and a great way to start designing a better morning for yourself is by incorporating mantras into your routine. 

    If mantras or affirmations sound too new age-y for you, keep in mind the proven psychological benefits. Repeating self-affirming phrases as you get ready for your day is both easy and effective. Try breaking down your morning and focusing on certain mantras during different phases of your routine. We outlined some suggestions of habits to adopt and affirmations to try as you create your ideal morning. 

    Phase 1: Practice Mindful Awareness 

    One of the perks of waking up early is having the time to ease into your routine, setting a more relaxed tone for the rest of the day.

    Rather than hitting snooze until you absolutely can’t anymore, turn off your alarm intentionally. It can’t hurt to change your alarm sound effect to something that doesn’t make you jolt up in a panic. Before you even step out of bed, make an effort to be present. Increase your awareness of your surroundings using your senses. For example:

    1. Do a body scan, stretch, and take note of how you feel.
    2. Tune into sounds you can hear in your home or outside.
    3. Pay attention to the texture of your blankets and pillows. 
    4. Notice the temperature of the room.
    5. Focus on your breath, bringing awareness to the air entering and leaving your lungs. 

      It may sound silly, but the act of being mindfully aware in the first ten minutes of your morning allows you to start the day on the right foot. Plus, it helps your body more easily transition from a state of sleep inertia (also known as “sleep drunkenness”) to full wakefulness. Try a mantra centered around starting the day with a fresh perspective and open mind.

      Phase 2: Focus on Gratitude

      It’s not surprising that reflecting on the people and things that make you grateful helps start your day on a positive note. Studies show gratitude has lasting positive effects on the brain, too. Here’s the catch: the long-term benefits of a grateful mindset take time to kick in. It’s 100 percent worth it to incorporate gratitude mantras into your morning routine. Even if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, you’re bound to feel a little better when you force yourself to remember all of life’s little luxuries that you’re lucky to have. 

      There’s a difference between passive gratitude (just saying “thank you” without feeling it) and mindful gratitude. When you concentrate on the positive emotions you feel when you say “thank you” for something, that’s when the real magic happens. It can be life changing to make a habit of seeing things you take for granted through a lens of gratitude. Here are some examples:

      1. As you open the blinds, be grateful for the daylight and the weather, rain or shine.
      2. If you choose to exercise in the morning, thank your body for its ability to move freely.
      3. As you make your bed, be thankful you have a place to sleep at night.
      4. Say “thank you” as you drink your first glass of water and eat breakfast.
      5. As you get dressed, be thankful for your wardrobe.
      6. Be grateful for the technology that makes your life easier (everything from your coffee maker to your iPhone)

        Feeling truly thankful boosts your mood, and who doesn’t want to feel more optimistic as they prepare to tackle the day? Take it a step further and start a gratitude journal while you’re at it. You’ll notice how everyday life’s struggles and inconveniences pale in comparison to your blessings. Repeating gratitude mantras as you go about your morning routine sets the stage for a happier day ahead. 

        Phase 3: Set Daily Intentions 

        Waking up early and adding structure to your morning routine allows you to concentrate on what you really want in life. Countless productivity coaches have spoken on the benefits of setting intentions before the sun rises. When you race through your morning in survival mode, chances are you aren’t focused on your intentions or goals. An early wake-up call can give you a head start on your day and improve your productivity at work all day long. Of course your intentions will be tailored to your individual desires, but here are some great general examples to get you started:

        1. My days are productive and efficient.
        2. I am energized by my work.
        3. I am unapologetic about what I desire.
        4. Obstacles are merely detours in the right direction.
        5. I see beyond the limits of fear and trust the process.
        6. I give myself permission to go after what I want.
        7. I am focused on what I can control and release what I can’t.
        8. My positive energy creates my reality.

          Becoming a morning person when you’ve had a 2 A.M. bedtime for years is going to be an excruciating process at first. If you’re still half asleep and not motivated to set intentions for the day, do something small that puts you in a positive mindset first: 

          1. Play some of your favorite music.  
          2. Stretch or do some yoga.
          3. Read an uplifting news story or a chapter from an inspiring book. 
          4. Let in natural light and open a window.
          5. Tidy up and water your plants.
          6. Play with your pet if you have one.
          7. Enjoy your favorite coffee or tea.

            It’s also wise to keep in mind the wise words of Hal Elrod (bestselling author of The Miracle Morning): “Love the life you have while you create the life of your dreams. Don’t think you have to choose one over the other.” His point is that real change doesn’t happen overnight. You might as well enjoy the journey to improvement rather than being miserable about not achieving your goals as quickly as you’d hope. You’re not going to be perfect with your progress. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep trying.

            Repeating mantras might become second nature to you eventually. Download and print the mantras below to serve as reminders throughout your day. 

            The morning is a sacred part of your day that determines the course of the rest of your day. First, you have to rewire your brain to believe in the benefits of getting up early. We outlined our suggestions for waking up on the right side of the bed in this helpful graphic below.

            The act of waking up with plenty of time to ease into your day can be enjoyable. a snooze hitter Waking up earlier to stick to a routine doesn’t have to be a grueling process that robs you of precious shut-eye. Even if changing out of your pajamas is still a struggle in the morning, we hope you give mornings a chance.

            Sources:

            Business Insider | The Scientist | Forbes | WVLKAM | Science Direct | Consumer Affairs | Positive Psychology | NCBI | Berkeley | Very Well Mind