How I’m Manifesting an Intentional Morning Routine

Mornings as a mama are HECTIC, as we all know. Most mornings I try my very best to great the day with a peaceful and Zen-like vibe and then 30 minutes later I find myself shrieking across the house for someone to let the dog out and for-the-love-of-God-put-your-jacket-on-so-we-can-leave-for-school. It’s crazy town in the mornings but I didn’t like sending Callie off to school on a stressful note nor did I like going into the office all frazzled.

So like any other hack, I needed a mindful morning routine that is quick and easy to execute, while still beneficial to our family’s wellbeing. I already have a good nighttime routine down but wanted to bring some intentionality to our mornings.Here’s a few ways I’m manifesting an intentional morning routine that you can try that can take less than five minutes.

10 Ideas for a Mindful Morning Routine

1. Hit snooze for one snuggle sesh

If we have the ability to pause and snuggle up together for the length of one snooze cycle, I’ve found it helps us feel more relaxed and connected to each other throughout the day. In fact, we recently started setting the alarm a few minutes early to “allocate” snuggle time in the morning. Bliss.

2. Listen to your favorite music or wake up to music

I don’t know about you but there’s nothing quite as impactful on my mood as music. Without a doubt, throwing on music that makes us feel good while getting ready in the morning, packing lunches, or on the way to the office will set us up for a more energized day. We love a good pump it up beat on big days at school/work (think 90s hip hop) or some classic rock while getting ready in the AM.

3. Try a mindfulness meditation practice

I used to think meditation was a little hippy for me, but I’ve grown to appreciate the pause and presence I get from meditating. I now think of it as a planning session with myself. In the mornings I’m usually only able to get in about 5 minutes of meditation but that seems to be the perfect amount of time for me to manifest some goals, run through what our future looks like, and really envision the life I want to lead.

4. Write in a journal

As a writer, this practice is very easy for me to implement. I use a Start Today journal from Rachel Hollis and I’ve found it great to use as a low-pressure way to capture quick feelings of gratitude, small life moments, or set intentions for future goals. I’ll admit, I don’t write in it every day, but knowing I only have to fill out a few lines makes it easier to put into practice.

This one’s non-negotiable for me. We kiss hello and goodbye each day. It helps us feel connected to each other throughout the day!

6. Implement an easy skincare routine

In the mornings I need to be efficient. I tend to do the bulk of my skincare at night so I’ve found 4 easy products that let me get in and of the bathroom in the morning. I do try to be intentional in the process though–when I wash my face, I feel the bubbles on my skin, I smell the fresh scent of the face wash, and I’m listening to the water running—you get the idea. I’ve read that doing this practice it can actually lead us to being more present in our day-to-day lives, something we can all benefit from. More presence, less auto pilot.

7. Sit and sip your coffee

Try to avoid screens, and just sit and sip for a few minutes. My view isn’t majestic (yet!), but really enjoying those first sips of coffee and quiet first thing in the morning is honestly something I look forward to every day.

8. Move your body

I know that squeezing in a workout isn’t always a possibility during a chaotic morning but when I can, I find time to simply move my body. It can be a quick walk around the block with Jack, some light yoga, or even a quick stretching session. Not only does it make me feel good, but I think moving our bodies in even a simple way has the power to energize us and make us feel ready for the tasks of the day.

9. Make your bed

I don’t know what it is but a made bed first thing in the morning makes me feel like I have my life together. It gives me a teeny tiny endorphin burst because I’ve accomplished a small task AND it makes our room look tidy. Win-win.

10. Eat a protein-packed breakfast

A mindful morning routine is taken to the next level with a quality breakfast. When things get busy, making breakfast in general can be a challenge, let alone a meal filled with protein. But, having a protein rich breakfast like eggs, a protein smoothie, or protein pancakes has been found to have lots of benefits. Having higher amounts of protein in the morning benefits muscle health and increased energy expenditure, meaning I’ll have more energy throughout the day!