Seeing someone else’s health and wellness routine can sometimes make you feel like you aren’t doing enough, but I want to remind you that it’s not a competition. My daily habits are personal to me and your daily habits are personal to you. For instance, I thrive in the midst of fluidity and flexibility and planned spontaneity. Some people prefer a very strict schedule and hate when plans change. I love the way experiences throughout the day make me feel. Other people don’t even notice how they feel. The bottom line – and the one thing we can all agree on – is that when we set daily priorities for our wellbeing, we’re inevitably setting ourselves up for daily success. Our planners will always be packed full of to-do’s, but we cannot afford to lose ourselves and our humanity for the sake of productivity.    

Here are the things that make all of the difference for me:

 

1. Having a present perspective. Rather than focusing on what needs to get done the moment I open my eyes in the morning, I simply focus on the present. When I get out of bed and stumble over to the coffee pot, I ask myself, “What do I truly need right now?” Usually it’s a glass of warm water. After a minute or two of true reflection (and execution) I shift to a perspective of gratitude. I write down one thing I’m thankful for that day. It’s a simple exercise that yields powerful results.
2. Eat well. This is actually pretty challenging for me these days. Eating healthy requires cooking real foods. Cooking healthy meals requires time, money, and planning. I have small children that wake up before the sun, you guys. However, I can’t ignore the truth… eating superfoods actually does make me feel….well, super. I have to drink a green smoothie a day or I’m in bad shape. I also rely on consistently taking my vitamins.
3. Drink well. Hydration is underrated. We all desperately need water, water, a little bit of gatorade, and more water. Paul and I each have one of these giant water bottles at the house. He gets so many compliments/chuckles from his clients, but they always ask where it’s from and say they need to get one. We fill it up each day and don’t have to worry about our water intake. Once we finish the bottle, we are done for the day.
4. Sunshine. Even if I only see the sun for 20 minutes a day – I get my booty outside. Vitamin D from sunlight helps my bones and heals my soul. I tell Audri all of the time that if she ever feels sad, she should spend time outdoors.
5. Working out. Movement is another mood booster for me. Sometimes it’s a run or walk with Zoey and the girls (stopping to pick wildflowers of course). Sometimes it’s yoga in the backyard. Sometimes it’s dancing in the kitchen to amazing music. Sometimes I follow my own fitness routines. You can find a few of my fitness articles here.
6. Clean something. I pick up around the house and do “my chore of the day”… You can view my EXACT cleaning schedule here.
7. Pray. Make space for this each day, because it matters more than anything else on this list. Alone time with God is crucial. I usually do this after I’ve had my morning cup of coffee so that I can focus. This is also when I read out of my study bible.
8. Accountability. Tell your spouse or your best friend that you want to start doing this or that with your morning routine. They will offer to help in some way or congratulate you on your new endeavor. This is just the motivation you need to stick with something until it becomes a habit.
9. Have fun. Tailor your morning to you and your interests. What you think is productive fun won’t be someone else’s idea of fun. Making lists is fun for me. Writing on my whiteboard is fun for me. Find your thing. What gives you productive energy? Mediation? Stickers and journaling? Podcasts? Cool, do one fun thing every morning!
10. Intentionality. Choose yourself. I’m not advocating for selfishness here. Our jobs, children, responsibilities are very important and should be taken care of. Do not neglect your children or spouse to focus only on your wants and needs. Figure out a way to do both. Wake up earlier so that you can have that time to ride your bike before anyone else is up. Put your kids on your back and do the workout with them. Include your family or friends in your wants and needs and they will bend over backwards to help out, because they love you.

  I know this is an extensive list, but I wanted to be specific. I’ve really tried to think of everything that jumpstarts my day so that you have options. Tell me one thing you want to try in the comment section below. As always, thanks for stopping by!