We all know that feeling of being woken up by our child way earlier than we would like to be and feeling frenzied as we have demands thrown at us left and right. This sudden frantic feeling is the worst at any time of day, but something about it first thing in the morning just hits different.

So, if you’re like a lot of people, you may have tried to create calming routines towards the end of the day around bedtime to reset and relax and get a good night’s sleep – only to have it start all over again. Have you ever heard of the 5:00 am wake-up? It’s a proven routine that hosts many benefits for each level – physical, emotional, even spiritual.

Read a little further to discover some morning rituals that will make your day go by easier and breezier for sure. 

Get Up 

Okay, so first and foremost, you don’t get to hit snooze. When that alarm goes off at the sleepy 5:00 am hour, remember, this will be your time of peace to set the day with intention. So, forego the snooze button and force yourself out of bed.

Stick with your regular routine initially, so if you immediately go for your Chemex coffee, go for it, just drink a glass of water while you’re waiting for it. The essential and foremost thing is just physically getting out of bed and getting the day started. 

Reflections

As you enjoy your coffee or whatever you typically eat or drink on waking, take this time to journal and reflect. If something like bible study is more your speed, by all means, do that. The point of this time is it is quiet and peaceful and all yours.

Fill it with intentions and reminders of what you are grateful for and what your intentions are. Setting yourself up for a mindful day this way can only lead to success. And, any road bumps that do come your way, you’ll be in a peaceful mindset to deal with them. 

Let’s Get Physical 

The easiest way to health and wellness is through physical and emotional exercise. Luckily, during your time of reflection, you’ve done some mental and emotional acrobatics. Now it’s time to move your body. Morning exercise can look different for everyone.

Not all people are up for cardio at 5:30 in the morning. Light yoga or just stretching is a fantastic exercise, and you can continue your spiritual work while doing this type of exercise as well. Moving our bodies is a great way to clear our minds and boost our immune systems, not to mention overall health, which is more critical than ever right now. 

Set Up For Success

We mentioned at the beginning of the article just how important nighttime routines are. When you’re waking up early for your alone time, you will realize their importance quickly. You want to set yourself up for success every morning by preparing every night before going to bed.

Successful sleep also means doing things like avoiding caffeine after midday, not interacting with screens for at a minimum of one hour before bedtime. In general, your bedroom should be set up for better sleep. What does that mean? It means no televisions or smartphones in the bedroom. For some, even the light of an alarm clock can disrupt sleep.

Thank goodness they create intelligent alarm clocks that don’t blare bright red digits at you all night long. Alcohol can be fun in moderation but doesn’t lend itself to a restful night’s sleep, so you’ll also want to avoid alcohol four to five hours before bedtime. 

Overall, if you were to ask anyone, you would hear the same response – that waking up before the rest of the household provides them with time they always thought they were missing before. You know the “there are not enough hours in the day” saying. So, you have to make time for yourself.

And, you’ll be in good company; famous people who do the early morning thing include Gwyneth Paltrow famously wakes up at 4:30 am every morning; Olivia Palermo wakes up at 5:15 am; and Nicole Richie wakes up “anywhere between 4:30 am and 5:30 am every day.”