Create a Morning Routine for Productivity and Health
Set the tone each day with a simple morning routine to make your busy days easier. A true game-changer for overall health and productivity.
NOTE: This post has been updated since it was originally published on June 16, 2022.
Developing a consistent morning routine over the years has been without a doubt one of my most important self-care tools for overall health.
As a caregiver for Doug who is managing Parkinson’s disease, staying consistent with a routine in the morning has helped me tremendously.
Taking time in the morning, and creating a consistent morning routine, is helpful in many ways but it is especially beneficial for mental health.
The American Psychological Association states that daily routines can ease the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and the American Addiction Center states routine and structure prevent substance abuse.
Over the years, through trial and error, I’ve created a routine that helps during stressful times and avoids caregiver burnout.
Let me walk you through my morning routine and perhaps you can pick up a few tips and start developing a healthy routine of your own.
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My Morning Routine For A Productive Day
My morning routine takes anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on how I’m feeling and how much time I have in the morning.
Before I begin any morning routine, I wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, and make my bed.
It is important to get quality sleep each night, and one helpful way to do that is by going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day.
Next, I make myself a cup of coffee and bring it to my quiet place, which is in my bedroom in a comfy chair overlooking our backyard and the woods beyond.
Once I’ve settled in, this is when my mental health morning routine truly begins.
Enlighten Your Senses: Aroma and Ambiance
To begin, I light a candle or diffuse essential oils, to appeal to my sense of smell.
Using your sense of smell is a powerful way to set the mood for the morning. Often, it evokes emotions, both good and bad, and can bring us right back to a specific moment in time.
I highly recommend using scents that appeal to you in a positive and comforting manner, smells, and aromas that help set the tone for your morning.
Candles. If you are looking for quality candles, P.F. Candle Co. and Made By Kippen are two of my favorite candle companies.
Both companies make clean, non-toxic, beautifully styled candles, run by women who are forward-thinking, professional, and care about the environment.
Essential Oils. If you are not into candles, consider giving essential oils a try.
I have diffusers in almost every room of my home, and I often use essential oils to help lift and brighten my mood. Quality oils are a must though as you do not want to diffuse toxic chemicals into your home.
Mountain Rose Herbs is a wonderful company to get quality essential oils, diffusers, and more.
Here is more detailed information on how to choose essential oils and diffuse them properly.
Devotional: Center The Soul
After lighting a candle I read a daily devotional.
Reading devotionals helps to calm and settle my soul. They are usually brief and they focus on one specific topic.
This helps me to bring all of my attention to the content on the page, and I slowly forget the clutter swirling around in my head.
In the past, I experimented with a variety of devotional books, however, I now prefer to stick to just one or two books that I use consistently and alternate each year.
I quite enjoy the daily devotional books by Sarah Young, especially as a caregiver.
When my mother was alive, I bought her one of Sarah’s devotional books for Christmas and she loved it. Her caregivers read it to her every morning, and later, because they enjoyed the books so much, we bought devotional books for them as well.
Journal Writing: Remove The Mental Clutter
After taking the time to read and process a devotional, I write in my journal.
Journal writing is one of the most effective tools you can use to help fight anxiety and depression, and I strongly believe writing in my journal has helped me through many low moments in my life.
There isn’t any science as to how to write in a journal. Some people make lists or bullet points, while others doodle and draw.
The main thing is to write the way you feel most comfortable, over time you will discover what style you like best.
What works for me is to write and write, I pour out my thoughts and fears on the paper until I can write no further.
I don’t worry about what I am writing or how I am writing it, and I do not worry about spelling or being grammatically correct.
All I care about is getting everything I am thinking and feeling out of my head and onto the page.
By cleansing and purging my thoughts onto the page I gain clarity, and it helps me feel less stressed – ready for my day.
Journal Preservation
Some people hang onto their journals and have years and years of journal writing. I do not.
My journals are so full of personal thoughts and emotions, that I have no desire to save them once I’ve written all my drama down and filled up the pages. Instead, I burn or shred them!
Ironically, I find the ritual of getting rid of all those thoughts and emotions on the page very therapeutic, and I look forward to starting a brand new journal afresh.
Bible: Fill The Soul
Finally, I read the Bible to close out my healthy morning routine.
I’ve read through the entire Bible several times now, and each time I discover many new things. to learn.
Some years I use a Bible plan, to read through the Bible in one year, while other times I pick single books to read and study.
Either way, it is a wonderful way to center and fill your soul before heading out for the day.
After reading scripture, I sit for a few minutes to ponder what I’ve read, gather my strength and my thoughts for the day, and then blow out my candle and am off.
Ready to begin the new day with a bright and positive perspective.
Things To Consider When Building A Morning Routine
Developing a habit takes time, and you want to set yourself up for success from the beginning. So when it comes to developing your healthy morning routine, here are a few things to consider.
Time. Consider how much time you have or would like to spend on your mental health morning routine. Work hard at being consistent.
If this means spending a shorter amount of time in your routine then so be it. I would rather see you spend 15 minutes every day versus 30 minutes twice a week. Doing it daily creates a strong habit.
Location. Think about where you want to spend your morning routine time. What area of your home feels good, calming, and quiet?
For me, I sit in the same chair that overlooks my backyard every morning.
Supplies. Consider what supplies you need while doing your mental health morning routine. Do you want to burn a nice-smelling candle or diffuse essential oils?
What books will inspire you – the Bible, a devotional, poetry, etc? Think about what will make you feel centered, calm, and focused.
Video: The Best Morning Routine for Caregivers
Personalize Your Morning Routine
Morning routines are an excellent way to start your day, and I hope you take the time to find a routine that works for you.
As caregivers, we cannot take good care of our loved one’s needs unless we properly take care of our own. It is difficult to pull water from an empty well.
Maintaining a consistent morning routine will help to start your day on the right track, with a vibrancy, and calm energy that will keep you going throughout your busy day.
More Helpful Articles
- How To Use Essential Oils To Reduce Caregiver Stress
- Caregiver Loneliness: Tips to Prevent Feeling Alone
- A Caregiver’s Guide to Preventing Back Injury
- How To Design A Night Routine For Better Sleep
Let’s Connect
Are you ready to give a healthy morning routine a try? I hope you found this information helpful and can apply it to your life as a caregiver.
We are creatures of habit, and developing either good or bad habits makes a difference in our lives, which is why it is important to be mindful of our choices.
Are we creating good habits that will serve us for a lifetime, or falling into patterns that could diminish our productivity and well-being?
With awareness and consistent practice, we can always reshape our habits to create the productive and healthy lifestyle we desire.
QUESTION: Do you have a morning routine that works for you and enjoy?
Let me know in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Additional Caregiver Support and Healthy Recipes
