We all know the early morning feeling, the alarm goes off, you hit snooze (...maybe more than once - we're not judging), and before you know it, you’re rushing out the door and grabbing whatever passes as breakfast on the way.
Mornings can be a challenge for some of us in terms of motivation and time constraints, but like it or not, your morning often sets the tone for the rest of the day. When you build yourself a morning routine you actually enjoy, suddenly mornings don’t feel like such a chore anymore.
Read on for some simple ways you can develop a morning routine that sets you up for whatever the day ahead has to throw at you.
1. Keep it simple (and realistic)
The biggest mistake most of us make with routines is trying to do too much, too soon. You’ve seen the influencers and podcast bros who get up at 4am, meditate for 30 minutes, journal, do yoga, bash out a quick 5k, take an ice bath and make a healthy and nutritious breakfast all before us ordinary folk have even got up. Frankly, It’s enough to make you crawl back under the covers.
Unrealistic goals are a quick route towards failure, so instead, think small, really small. Think about just one or two little things that would genuinely make your mornings feel calmer or more enjoyable.
Maybe it’s five minutes of stretching or stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, or perhaps it’s not wasting time ironing your top or figuring out what to wear, or it could be as simple as having the time take a morning bath or to enjoy a proper cup of coffee without rushing.
2. Move your body
You don’t need to smash out a full workout to feel the benefits of movement in the morning. Just a couple of minutes of stretching, some simple yoga poses, or even a short burst of somatic movement to wake up your nervous system is far more effective than scrolling through your phone in bed (or on the toilet).
Pair it with your morning coffee ritual and use the time it takes for the kettle to boil and for you to brew your coffee in your preferred way, to move your body. Morning kitchen disco anyone?
3. Give yourself a tech buffer
If there’s one thing guaranteed to spike your stress levels before breakfast, it’s checking social media feeds and getting triggered, reading urgent emails and checking notifications the second you open your eyes.
Try giving yourself at least 15 minutes of grace before diving into the digital world. Wake up on your terms and keep the world out whilst you do your own thing.
4. Add a tiny win
Build in just one small thing that makes you feel good. It could be writing down three things you’re grateful for, jotting a quick to-do list so your head feels clearer, or simply reading a page of a book. The “tiny win” doesn’t have to be big — it just has to be something that gives your morning a lift and makes the routine feel worth repeating.
5. Plan your day
Spending just five minutes thinking about your priorities for the day, what absolutely needs to get done, what can wait, and where you might fit in a break will help to make the whole day feel more manageable.
Some people like to jot it down in a notebook, others prefer using a phone note or calendar app, but the point is the same, instead of relying on memory alone and letting the day run you, you set the tone.
Pairing this with your coffee ritual can make it a habit you actually look forward to. Even better, when the weather allows, enjoy your morning coffee outside to benefit from a calming dose of nature or a hit of vitamin D.
The trick with routines isn’t perfection; it’s consistency. Start with the basics, keep it enjoyable and let it take root naturally over time. Anchor it with something you already look forward to, like your morning cup of coffee, and you’ll find yourself actually sticking with it.
If you’re still searching for the perfect brew that encourages you to get out of bed, take a look at our customer favourite, Morning Glory, our smooth, versatile signature coffee or check out our full range of arabica and origin coffees here.
