How To Build Realistic (Super) Early Morning Routines

I am very intrigued by the popularity of super early morning routines, especially as someone who is not a morning person. But here’s why I finally gave in to trying it out. 

Why are super-early morning routines so popular?

So many people wake up before the crack of dawn and get so much done: journaling, enjoying a cup of coffee in peace, going for walks, getting a full workout done, making breakfast, getting work done, etc. The vibes are so peaceful and productive. I crave it. I have two kids and early mornings are officially part of the job description as a parent (and being an adult, I guess), but I just never figured out how to be awake that early. So, what pushed me to finally do it? A combination of waking up feeling rushed and irritable, struggling to find time for workouts, and craving more me-time before facing the ‘daily demands’ of my family. And as a result, I felt like I wasn’t the best version of myself, and I got tired of feeling that way every day. The only possible solution in sight: wake up before the house does.

The benefits of early morning routines

Increased productivity: Early mornings are often quieter and distraction-free, allowing for focused work or planning before the day gets busy.

Improved mental health: starting the day with calm activities like journaling, meditation, or exercise can reduce stress and promote a positive mindset.

Better time management: waking up early gives you a head start, allowing more time for tasks, planning, and goal-setting without feeling rushed.

Better sleep habits: early risers often develop better sleep routines

Increased chances of exercise: you are rested and have more energy first thing in the morning, making it easier to do some form of exercise.

Enhanced discipline and willpower: training yourself to wake up early strengthens self-control, which can positively affect other areas of life like work, relationships, and personal development.

Ideas on how to create early morning routines

Don’t try to set your alarm for 5.00am on day 1. Instead, focus on shifting wake and sleep times. 

The first thing to do is move your wake-up time by 15 minutes over 3-4 days so that you’re already waking up 1 hour earlier. Do the same with your bedtime.

Create a simple morning routine that you love and can follow without any hesitation – it will get you out of bed. 

The promise of enjoying my morning coffee in peace + getting my daily movement out of the way is my motivation. Full disclosure: sometimes I drink my morning coffee while walking for 20-30 mins outdoors (sometimes followed by a short strength workout). It’s not perfect and I’m sure it’s ‘not right’ to consume coffee this way, but it works for me and that’s exactly what my morning routine needs to do. 

Wake up at the same time every day with intention. 

Until the early morning wake-up feels natural, it will be hard. I know the ‘intention’ part sounds woo-woo, but here’s the thing: it works. I tell myself every night ‘If I can get my daily movement out of the way, I am more relaxed and handle stress better’. Habits are about consistency and intentions are what make them stick, so don’t give up if you have a few ‘off’ days. Remember, progress over perfection.

Prepare the night before. 

Take your clothes out the night before. Charge your devices. Choose your workouts. Pack your bag. Meal prep. Snack prep. Think about how you can make your morning feel seamless and effortless and you will be more inclined to want to do it again. 

Focus on how you feel. 

Just because you’re waking up earlier, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good thing or that you’re instantly feeling better. Think about what is and isn’t working in your early morning routine. I experimented with a few different combos, such as coffee + journaling/ coffee + blogging/ protein shake + workout then coffee etc. I quickly learned I like coffee and moving when I’m up super early, because I feel the best after doing both things. Journaling/blogging/working that early didn’t work for me, so I dropped it. 

Slowly, the ghastly concept of ‘early morning’ fades, and the clock is just a bunch of numbers. It really is about how you feel (the woo-woo stuff is the real deal!). 

This one caught me by surprise! I was so hung up on the ‘idea’ that early mornings suck because I never fully experienced what it feels like to wake up early and intentionally start my day. Now that I’m (sort of) doing it, I get it. Like I said, this is a work in progress, and while I don’t have a perfect, aesthetic 5-9am routine to share, I have a scrappy, realistic one, which is working.

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