Discover the ultimate morning self-care routine for a peaceful and slow start to your day. Elevate your well-being with mindful practices.
How many of you wake up, and the first thing you do is go, go, go? The satisfaction of a productive day, where you wake up with a clear plan and start ticking off tasks, is undeniably satisfying, but it can be very hard on some days. Sometimes, starting your morning slow and practicing mindfulness can work wonders for your overall well-being.
About six months ago, I began practicing slow morning self-care on Sundays. Sundays have become a chance for me to recharge before another busy week begins. This morning self care routine has significantly helped me manage my struggles with stress and anxiety, which have often affected my mental well-being.
I’m not here to tell you how you should live your day, but rather to provide ideas for creating your own morning self-care routine. If dedicating an entire day to self-care feels unmanageable, think of these morning self-care suggestions as your weekly self care routine. This way, you’ll ensure that you dedicate at least an hour each week to yourself.
While I’ve shared tips on a productive morning routine before, today’s focus is on a morning routine centered around self-care and mindfulness—essential for more productive days ahead. Self-care practices vary from person to person, and while I incorporate self-care into my daily routine, I’m excited to share some self-care morning routine ideas, especially for those slower mornings when you deserve a bit of relaxation before facing a busy day/week.
This post is all about a morning self-care routine.
Morning Self-Care Routine
Night Self-Care Routine
A productive or relaxing morning often begins the night before. Taking a few moments for a night self-care routine can set the tone for a better start to your day. Simple practices like preparing your outfit for the next day, winding down with a good book, or practicing some gentle stretches can help you relax and ensure a smoother morning ahead. So, don’t underestimate the power of a little nighttime self-care to enhance your mornings.
If you need some night self-care routine ideas then click HERE for 7 relaxing ideas.
Benefits Of A Slow Morning Self-Care Routine
Here are some of the benefits I’ve personally enjoyed since starting my slow morning self-care routine, which I believe you can also experience. Beginning your day with a deliberate focus on self-care, at least once a week, can lead to these advantages:
Reduced Stress: When we slow down and dedicate time to a morning routine, we can start the day calmly, reducing stress levels. In a world where most days feel like a constant rush, it’s crucial to set aside a day (for me, that’s Sunday) to begin the day in a relaxed manner. This practice is important for maintaining optimal mental health.
Enhanced Productivity: Surprisingly, a slow start to the day can lead to enhanced productivity, especially when you have a busy day ahead. While there’s a common misconception that slowing down diminishes productivity, a well-structured slow morning routine can actually boost it. It empowers you to prioritize tasks, set clear intentions, and approach the day with a focused mind. This has certainly been my experience, as Sundays are my designated days for tasks like meal prep, planning, content editing, and finishing blog posts and marketing materials. Starting my day slowly has significantly improved my overall productivity.
Enhanced Gratitude: Adding gratitude to your morning routine shifts your perspective toward life’s positive aspects, leading to feelings of contentment and happiness.
Enhanced Emotional Well-being: A slow morning self-care routine provides a valuable opportunity to manage and regulate your emotions. Sundays, in particular, used to be a day when I was the most anxious, as all I thought about was the challenges of the new week. However, implementing my morning self-care routine has significantly contributed to regulating my emotions through the self-care practices I engage in every Sunday morning.
Other Similar Posts You May Also Like:
- A Productive Morning Routine
- Self-Care Sundays: Nourish Your Mind, Body, And Soul
- Ultimate Night Routine Checklist For A Calm And Productive Tomorrow
Slow Morning Routine Ideas
Make The Bed
This first step in a morning self-care routine might seem small, but it makes a big difference. Making your bed is like a starter for other healthy habits. Once you’ve done it, you’ll feel more up for other healthy habits like exercise or a healthy breakfast. And here’s the magic: it really works! Making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Starting with this small win can boost your motivation and make you feel better about yourself. So, don’t underestimate it. It’s the first step to a more focused and confident morning.
Gentle Movement
Morning movement is arguably the best way to kickstart your day. It boosts your metabolism, increases blood flow, and energizes your body, ensuring you’re alert and ready to embrace the day’s challenges.
Your morning movement does not need to be long. It can be as quick as 10 minutes – which is exactly what I do and it has made a huge difference in my mental and physical health.
On a slow morning, I would recommend gentle movements such as a simple stretching routine, yoga, or any other form of mild exercise. Beginning your day with gentle movements, like stretching or yoga, aids in the physical recovery of your body. After a week of daily activities, giving your muscles and joints some attention on a slow morning on a rest day helps get rid of any stiffness or tension.
If you struggle to stay consistent with daily exercise then click HERE where I have shared 10 tips that have helped me stay consistent and build self-discipline.
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness in your slow morning routine is about being fully present in whatever you’re doing, like taking care of your skin, showering, or enjoying your coffee. It’s a chance to really focus on the moment, gather your thoughts, and appreciate the simple things in life. This helps you begin your day with a clear mind and a sense of contentment.
Nourishing Breakfast
A nourishing breakfast is a vital part of your morning routine, whether it’s a leisurely slow morning or a busy day. But I understand that for some people with really busy lives, this can be a challenge which is why a slow morning provides the perfect opportunity to savor this essential meal.
Breakfast happens to be my favorite part of the day, and ever since I started my mornings with a nutritious breakfast, it’s had a profound impact on my mood, physical health, and overall energy levels. Starting your day with a nourishing breakfast isn’t just about self-care; it’s about nurturing your well-being.
For those who may not be breakfast enthusiasts, a smoothie is an excellent option. There are so many delicious smoothie recipes you can find to kickstart your day right. Whether you choose to have just a smoothie or a wholesome meal, breakfast is essential for your overall well-being.
If you struggle to stay consistent with starting your morning with a healthy breakfast then meal planning and prepping can be the solution. I’ve shared simple meal-planning tips in a blog post HERE, which can set you on the path to a successful week. This way, you ensure that a nourishing breakfast is a consistent part of your morning routine, promoting your well-being and overall health.
If you need some delicious nourishing breakfast ideas and recipes, you can explore more HERE.
Unplugging And Disconnecting
On busy days, it’s common to rush through a quick morning routine and immediately dive into our phones, checking messages and emails. However, one powerful change I’ve made is disconnecting from my phone for at least 30 minutes, often even up to 2 hours, during my slow morning self-care routine. It’s made a remarkable difference in my day.
Remember your slow morning routine is about practicing mindfulness as much as possible to help you regulate your emotions and stress levels. And by checking your phones as soon as you wake up it can take that away.
If staying away from your phone in the morning is a struggle, practice on your normal days to stay away from your phone for at least 30 minutes. When you wake up, reach out for a journal/book instead. This way you are slowly building a habit that will make it so much easier during your slow mornings.
Gratitude Journalling
Spend 5 minutes listing down at least 3 things you are grateful for and a few morning affirmations to help you start your day with a positive mindset. This will help you tackle any challenges you may go through the day.
If you have never tried gratitude journalling, then my gratitude journal is the perfect journal for beginners! It includes morning and evening gratitude prompts to help guide you in gratitude journalling the right way to make a difference. Click HERE to learn more about gratitude journalling as well as what is included in my gratitude journal!
Do Something You Love
I always end my self-care routines by doing something that brings me peace, even during my night self-care routine. And that is watching my favourite tv show, whatever it could be at the time, whilst sipping on my cup of coffee. It simply brings me so much joy.
This part of a slow morning will vary from person to person, but the key is to indulge in something you wouldn’t typically have time for on a regular morning. It could be as simple as diving into a good book, pampering yourself, or indulging in your favorite TV show – my personal Sunday morning favourite.
A morning self-care routine is an opportunity to nurture yourself, recharge, and set a positive tone for the day. Remember, self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. So, make a commitment to gift yourself this time regularly. Share your own slow morning self-care experiences or tips in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to make every morning a moment of mindful self-care.
I hope you found this valuable!
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Lots of love, Mariam x
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This post was all about a morning self-care routine.
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