A Morning Routine That Will Make You Love Mornings
A Morning Routine That Will Make You Love Mornings
I’ll be honest — I never used to be a morning person.
I would dread the mornings. I didn’t want to get out of bed. Especially if it was cold outside. I would make every excuse in the book to avoid jumping out of bed… I was still tired, I didn’t feel good, I was cold. I would lay in bed until I absolutely HAD to get up or I would be late for school or work.
It wasn’t until I created a morning routine I fell in love with that I started to appreciate the early mornings.
I don’t think anyone loves getting out of their cozy, comfy bed. But it’s not about getting out of bed — it’s about waking up with a grateful heart for another day, and being excited about what’s next.
When you choose to change your perception about life, it’s crazy how everything shifts in a positive way. Instead of dreading the day and dreading what I had to do — I woke up and practiced gratitude. I started thinking about all of the things I get to do. I began to enjoy the little things more. I felt a major shift in how my day began & I noticed it became easier to get up. I woke up excited instead of stressed and I started to feel more peaceful.
And yes — I do this while being a mom. My routine isn’t Pinterest-perfect or silent. Some of this happens with a toddler awake and climbing on me, and some of it happens while he’s still asleep. It’s not perfect — it’s just consistent.
1) Practice Gratitude First
The number one thing that changed everything was practicing gratitude.
My routine has changed over time and it adapts with the seasons and different chapters of life — but the one thing that’s been constant is waking up and practicing gratitude. Sometimes I make a list, sometimes I journal, sometimes I say it out loud or think it quietly. But no matter what, I start every day by thinking about what I’m grateful for and setting an intention for the day.
2) Gentle Yoga/Stretching & Snuggles
Next I do a quick 5–10 minute yoga flow or stretch and give my doggies some love. It’s nothing intense — just enough to wake up my body and get blood flowing without rushing into the day.
And honestly, snuggling my dogs is one of my favorite parts of the morning. Physical touch with pets has been shown to lower cortisol and increase oxytocin — the same “bonding” hormone that helps reduce stress and improve mood. Starting the day with that kind of calm, happy chemistry in your body makes a big difference.
3) Make the Bed
After I stretch and give my doggies some love, I make the bed. It sounds like such a small thing, but it instantly gives me a sense of order and momentum. When the first thing you do in your day is complete a task, your brain registers it as a win — it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
4) Drink Lemon Salt Water
After I make the bed, I head to the kitchen and start my day with a glass of lemon salt water. It’s one of the simplest habits I’ve added, but it makes a noticeable difference — especially after going 7–9 hours without any hydration. The minerals + hydration give my body a gentle “wake-up” signal before anything else hits my system, and it’s a much calmer way to start the day than going straight to coffee.
Starting your morning with lemon salt water can:
Rehydrate you after sleep
Support digestion
Provide electrolytes for energy & adrenal support
Help with bowel regularity
Reduce morning cortisol spikes (especially before caffeine)
By supporting hydration, digestion, and lowering that initial cortisol spike, it indirectly supports healthier hormone balance overall — because your stress response and gut health play a direct role in hormone regulation.
5) Get Morning Sunlight
Another important step in my routine is getting outside for sunlight within the first 10–20 minutes of waking. The benefits are endless.
Morning sunlight benefits:
Resets circadian rhythm and improves nighttime sleep
Boosts cortisol in a healthy way for natural morning energy
Supports hormone balance
Improves mood & lowers anxiety
Enhances metabolism and insulin sensitivity
Supports Vitamin D production
Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress
Goal: 5–15 minutes outside in the first hour of waking (without sunglasses or windows if possible).
6) Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast Before Coffee
I am a big fan of having a high-protein breakfast before coffee. Does it happen every morning? No. But it’s a habit I prioritize.
I used to crawl out of bed exhausted and go straight to the coffee maker. Then I’d have another cup on the way to work and another after lunch. I relied on coffee for energy — but it didn’t really give me energy. It spiked my adrenaline and cortisol which gave a quick boost, only to crash later.
Once I focused on waking up with gratitude, hydrating & getting sunlight first, and eating protein before coffee, I didn’t need another cup. My energy actually lasted through the afternoon and into the evening.
7) Take Morning Supplements
After I eat my protein-rich breakfast, I take my morning supplements. I rotate supplements based on the season and what my body needs, but I always take them after food so they absorb better and don’t upset my stomach. Currently I’m taking - we natal prenatal vitamins, vitamin d, collagen, pre & postbiotics, creatine, magnesium, & camu camu. I prefer to take the magnesium at night but I make sure to take my fat soluble vitamins with breakfast so they absorb properly.
8) Skincare + Oral Care
After breakfast — I start my skincare and oral care. I scrape my tongue, floss, and brush. Tongue scraping is one of those tiny habits that makes a huge difference — it removes the bacteria and buildup that collect overnight so you’re not swallowing it first thing, and it helps with bad breath and overall oral health.
Then I wash my face and do my skincare. Even if your skincare is minimal — cleansing in the morning helps remove sweat, oils, and skincare from the night before so your products absorb better and your skin feels fresh. I Lumi my face, put on toner, serums, and lotion, and brush my hair.
9) Outdoor Movement / Morning Walk
The last part of my routine is outdoor movement. If I don’t get a morning walk in, I can feel the difference in my mood, energy, and even how patient I am throughout the day. There is something about fresh air, light on your skin, and getting your body moving before the world gets loud that just grounds you for the day ahead.
Benefits of a morning walk:
Regulates circadian rhythm
Improves mood & lowers stress
Supports metabolism & blood sugar
Reduces inflammation & stiffness
Boosts energy & focus
Builds consistency & discipline
Supports digestion & bowel regularity
Even 10–20 minutes counts — consistency matters more than intensity.
And here’s the wild part: If you walk ~40 minutes, 3 times per week, research shows it can actually increase the size of the hippocampus — the part of the brain involved in memory, learning, and emotional regulation. A simple walking habit can literally make your brain stronger, sharper, and more resilient with age.
10) Protect Your Evenings So Mornings Feel Good
If you want to become a morning person, this matters: go to sleep earlier and avoid screens 1 hour before bed. If you have to use screens, make sure to use 100% blue light blocking glasses (here’s a link to the ones I love).
In Summary — My Morning Routine That Made Me Love Mornings
Practice gratitude
5–10 minutes of yoga or stretching
Pet snuggles
Make the bed
Lemon salt water
Morning sunlight within 30–60 minutes
Protein-rich breakfast
Supplements
Skincare & oral care
Outdoor walk or movement
I hope these simple but powerful habits help you learn to love mornings too. Take what you love and leave what you don’t — and subscribe below for more tips on living a simple, holistic life!
