7 Ways to Have a Productive Early Morning Routine

Let’s be honest, not everyone is a morning person. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t train yourself to have an awesome productive early morning routine! 

I never used to be a morning person, but that all changed when I started taking 8:00 AM university classes. I had to wake up as early as 5:30 AM to get ready. I wouldn’t say I love waking up early, but I am definitely more of a morning person than a night person now. 

Waking up early isn’t easy, but it can feel so rewarding! Keep reading for my tips on how to create the perfect productive early morning routine.

Implement these practices into your daily morning routine or use these to create a whole new morning routine for yourself!

Tip #1: Don’t snooze your alarm

Avoiding hitting snooze on your alarm in the morning will increase your productivity so much. I know it can be hard, especially when all you want is five more minutes, but it will be worth it in the end. You will feel so energized if you get out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off. 

I know people that set 30 alarms every morning so that they have the opportunity to snooze until they actually have to wake up. Studies actually show that hitting snooze could be damaging to your health and your productivity. 

If you can, try waking up without setting an alarm. By not setting an alarm, you aren’t waking up to the shocking sound of your phone going off and you can even train your body to wake up when you want it. 

Tip #2: Stay off your phone 

Staying off your phone will force you to be more productive when you wake up. The first thing I do when I wake up is reach for my phone and I know so many others do the same. I end up staying in bed scrolling through social media for up to an hour sometimes. Imagine how much could be done in that hour! 

Recently I started turning my phone off before bed and leaving it off until I’ve woken up and gone through my routine. Then I’ll turn it on during breakfast to catch up on what I missed. By turning my phone off, I have no choice but to get out of bed and start my day. I have to admit, it’s harder than you might think, but you will love being unplugged once you get used to it!

There are also some health benefits to staying off your phone at night and in the morning too. Technology is known for giving off blue light, which research has shown can be harmful to cognitive function and melatonin levels.

Basically, looking at your phone first thing in the morning can reduce your productivity for the day and make you less happy. Try staying off your phone during the morning and see if you notice a change!

Tip #3: Exercise 

The last thing some people want to do in the morning is workout, but trust me when I say that it will make your day so much better. 

Exercising first thing in the morning gets it out of the way. Not only will you feel great that you don’t have to do it later, but it will also leave you full of endorphins. Your morning workout will have you feeling energized and ready to start your day.

Research shows that working out in the morning leads to better overall mental health and productivity levels. There are also tons of health benefits, and working out in the mornings can even cause your body to wake up earlier. 

It can be hard to find the motivation to work out if you aren’t very active or if you’re feeling tired. On days where I’m feeling less motivated, I’ll do a short yoga session or stretch to get my body moving. Even going for a short walk will have you feeling better about yourself and you won’t regret it! 

Looking for a fun way to incorporate exercise into your day? Check out my favourite at-home workouts that are easy, fun, and great for all levels! 

Tip #4: Eat breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why you should make an effort to eat every morning. You don’t have to make yourself a huge breakfast every morning, but even a little snack will feed your body and energize you for the day. 

Personally, I can’t function without food in the mornings so I never skip breakfast. I always feel ready to start my day after I’ve eaten. However, I also know people who skip breakfast regularly and are completely fine. 

It depends on the person, but making yourself something tasty in the morning could be all the motivation you need to have an early start! 

Tip #5: Read

Reading for a couple of minutes every morning is a good way to wake up your brain. It’s as simple as grabbing your favourite book or reading the news while you’re eating breakfast!

Making a habit of reading every day will strengthen your mind and prepare you to do more complex tasks throughout the day. It also gives you self-care time in the morning where you can be away from your phone (unless you’re reading on your phone). 

I read both a book and the news every morning and it always feels like preparation for my day. I get to start the day doing something I enjoy and it allows my brain to wake up. It is also an easy task that will make you feel accomplished once you’ve finished. 

If books aren’t your thing, sign up for daily email newsletters! My favourite newsletter is The Newsette, a free daily inspirational newsletter directed towards women on the go. It brightens up my morning and I look forward to receiving it in my inbox. Click here to check it out and sign up for yourself! 

And, if books are more your thing – check out my book reviews to find your next read!

Tip #6: Write 

One of the best ways to be productive is to write in the morning, whether it be your goals for the day or your to-do list.

Having a physical list of your schedule and what you want to accomplish will also make it easier to visualize what needs to get done. There is nothing I enjoy more than crossing items off my list and realizing I’m getting closer to finishing my daily tasks. Even if it’s something as simple as vacuuming! 

Creating a list or a schedule for yourself will make it much easier for you to be productive! 

Tip #7: Be positive 

I know this may sound silly, but the key to a productive early morning routine is being positive. If you wake up thinking that today will be a bad day, then you aren’t going to have a good day. It’s as simple as that. 

As soon as you wake up, you need to be in the mindset that you’re going to be productive. It’s all about having the right attitude and perspective. Waking up early isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t associate it with a happy attitude then you won’t ever like waking up early. Just remember to be positive and see if you notice a change of heart. 

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Question of the day: What are the must-have steps in your productive early morning routine?