The Power of a Morning Routine for Busy Moms
Moms. Our lives can sometimes feel chaotic from the moment we wake up until the moment our heads hit the pillow. So much of our day is focused around caring for all those around us - our kids, our pets, our partners, our careers… you name it. Caring for ourselves and our health can fall to the backburner as we work to keep the family afloat.
With that being said, carving out time to take care of yourself can feel impossible. Depending on the season you’re in - let’s say you're in the early postpartum/newborn phase. You might just be trying to stay afloat and you’re not quite ready for a regular routine yet.
For those who are a little further down the road, one way to help kick-start your day off on the right foot, on your own time, is to start a morning routine.
You might be thinking, “Ummm I sleep as long as I can in the morning.. That’s a no for me.”
I get it. I’ve been there and I hear you!
AND I would challenge you that starting your day a little bit earlier, on your own terms, might be worth a try! Here’s why:
Self-Care: As a mom, it's easy to prioritize the needs of your family over your own. A morning routine allows you to carve out time for self-care and prioritize your own well-being. It sets a positive tone for the day and helps you start your day with a focus on yourself, ensuring you are mentally and physically prepared to take care of your family's needs.
Productivity and Efficiency: A well-established morning routine helps you start your day with clarity and purpose. By having a plan in place, you can prioritize tasks, set goals, and tackle important responsibilities more efficiently. This leads to increased productivity throughout the day and reduces the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Emotional Well-being: A morning routine that includes self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling, can have a positive impact on your emotional well-being. It allows you to nurture your own mental and emotional health, reducing stress levels and increasing feelings of fulfillment and happiness. This, in turn, benefits your overall well-being and your ability to care for your family.
Okay so that all sounds fine and dandy. How do you ACTUALLY make that happen?
Here are 3 ways you can get started in establishing a morning routine:
Start with Small Steps: Begin by incorporating a few simple activities into your morning routine. Choose activities that are manageable and bring you joy or relaxation. It could be something as simple as drinking a cup of tea or coffee, stretching or doing a quick workout (hello Expecting and Empowered App!), or spending a few minutes journaling or practicing mindfulness. Gradually add more activities to your routine as you become comfortable with the initial steps.
Maybe for you, just getting out of bed is a win and you could start with doing one small task such as switching over the laundry, making your coffee, or walking on the treadmill for 10 minutes.
Once your body gets used to waking up at that time and you’ve formed a habit, you could start to integrate your Expecting and Empowered workout in!
Set a Consistent Wake-up Time: Establishing a consistent wake-up time helps regulate your body's internal clock and sets the foundation for a structured morning routine. Determine the ideal time you need to wake up to allow for a peaceful and productive morning. Aim to wake up a bit earlier than your family to give yourself some quiet time and space.
One thing I have found to work is placing my phone out of my reach, such as in the bathroom or a dresser so that when my alarm goes off, I am forced to physically get up to turn it off. That way, I am more likely to remain up and can start my morning routine.
Prioritize and Plan: Identify the tasks and activities that are important to you and your family in the morning. Make a list of these priorities and plan your morning routine accordingly. If you are a list lover, perhaps the night before you could write a list of your top priorities for the next day, which could include: Workout, do laundry, go grocery shopping - something like that. Then you know what you absolutely need to do the next day and what you can tackle in the morning.
You could schedule your Expecting and Empowered workout the night before, set out all your equipment and water bottle so that you’re ready in the morning and you know exactly what workout you’re going to do. That way once you get up, all you have to do is get dressed and hit the play button!
PRESS THE EASY BUTTON ON YOUR WORKOUTS
Everything you need to reach your fitness goals in motherhood in one spot. All you need to do is show, and press play.
Remember, the key to establishing a morning routine is consistency. Think progress over perfection. You might not nail it everyday - and that’s okay! The key is to not miss two days in a row, or two weeks in a row. Because life happens as moms, and we have to be able to adapt and be realistic with our expectations of ourselves. Stick to your routine as much as possible, but also allow room for flexibility and adjustments when needed.
Adapt the routine to fit your family's unique circumstances and be open to experimenting with different activities until you find what works best for you.
We hope this was helpful as you see if you, too, can become a morning routine person!
