Why You Need A Morning Routine

When I say “do you have a morning routine”, most of the time people just look at you blankly and a little confused. A regular response is “oh, like an Olympian?” or “I’m not that organised”, when in fact, everyone has a morning routine - whether that be waking up at 6 AM to go to the gym, or getting up and sorting out the kids’ pack lunch. The sweet spot is knowing what your morning routine is and committing to it every day. 

Here are just a few of our top tips on creating a morning routine and why it’s so important…

What is a morning routine?

To put it simply, a morning routine is a set of tasks that becomes a habit every morning when you wake up. Those tasks may seem simple and almost like motor memory in some cases - eating porridge, having a shower and brushing your teeth as an example. While everyone’s morning routine looks slightly different, it’s important to try and get yourself into good habits that will aid productivity throughout the day. 

The ultimate morning routine

1. Make your bed 

It's a 2-minute task that can start your day off on the right foot. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will subsequently give you a small sense of accomplishment, as well as encourage you to do further tasks throughout the day. This is also a great psychological way of reinforcing that it's “the little things that matter in life.”

2. Do 5-10 reps of an exercise

We’re not going to sit here and tell you that by 7 AM you should have completed a full upper body workout routine because quite frankly, that doesn't work for everyone. However, what has been proved to work is completing 5-10 reps of an exercise movement, whether that be push-ups, burpees or just running on the spot - it can dramatically improve your mood and quiets mental chatter.

Equally, if exercising in the morning is your thing then go for it, there is so much data proving that getting your workout done first thing, can improve productivity for the rest of the day. Here at Proverb, we are big fans of the Nike Training App, with 10-30 minute workouts suited to your ability and goals. 

3. Your skincare routine

Skincare is a Proverb favourite, this doesn’t need to be complex, instead just 4 steps to create an elite morning routine. 

1. First up we apply our refillable and natural, aluminium free deodorant. Better for your health and the planet, saving single-use plastic from your bathroom while crushing BO no matter how active you are. It's a great way to smell great all day long and help reduce your intake of single-use plastic.

2. Next, we have cleansing using the Cleanse & Shave Nutrient Mud, this will wash away all of the dirt, sweat and grime that has built up on your face through the night. This is a great time to massage your face and allow the blood to pump around the body and regenerate new skin cells.

3. After that you should apply a pumpkin seed-sized amount of the Strengthening Skin Serum, think of this as your under armour for the skin - leaving the skin feeling instantly lifted and looking more energised while helping to improve signs of ageing. 

4. Then we have the fourth step, your ‘overcoat’ of skincare, moisturiser! Proverb has two moisturisers one for anti-age and dehydrated skins, the Hydration Pro Moisturiser and one for oily, acne-prone skins, the Oil Balance Pro Moisturiser. 

Check out our blog post on the best skincare routine for your age if you want more in depth information. 

4. Brush your teeth

A bit like making your bed, brushing your teeth as part of your morning routine is a quick and easy way to feel as though you are approaching the day with a positive mental attitude. Instantly you feel fresher and more confident. Plus, why not use the time to practice your balance by standing on one foot (it's supposed to help you live longer?!)

5. Write 4 things you are grateful for and 4 ‘intents’ for the day.

This can just take a few minutes of your morning, write down the 4 intents or tasks that you need to get done, it can be anything from little things like having a shower, going to an exercise class, calling a friend in need or being kind to a stranger.  By writing it down, it allows your brain to compartmentalise the tasks for the day ahead, this is really helpful for self-esteem as your body releases endorphins after you cross something off. Starting the day realising you already have things to be grateful for is such a positive step to help you take the day in your stride.

Books to read for creating a morning routine

The 5 AM Club

With fans of the book such as Oprah, there was no question as to whether or not we should include this book. Author Robin Sharma explores the idea that the most successful people in life, are the ones that get up at 5 AM, do twenty-minutes exercise, twenty-minutes planning and twenty-minutes study. 

Tools of Titans 

American entrepreneur, Tim Ferriss used his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show to interview anyone from celebrities, athletes, special operations commanders and black-market biochemists - tracking all of their habits and morning routines, asking himself ‘what makes these people so successful?’ The book includes details and tactics on how to live your life most efficiently through questions such as: What do these people do in the first sixty minutes of each morning? What do their workout routines look like, and why? What books have they gifted most to other people? What are the biggest wastes of time for novices in their field? What supplements do they take on a daily basis?

The Miracle Morning 

Hal Elrod sets out 6 habits that will transform your life before 8 AM. He combines Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading and Scribing grateful lists to try and create the most impactful morning routine.

Thrive

Co-founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington proposes another direction to the likes of Tim Ferris and the 5 am club. After pushing her stress levels to the limit and jeopardising her health striving to launch her business, Huffington realised that she needed to take a step back and focus on her well-being. Thrive is full of personal insights and actionable advice on how to flourish through wisdom, foster an attitude of giving, and implement health-conscious daily routines. 

If you prefer shorter articles in the morning, the Proverb Blog is a great read, giving you up to date eco information, along with great mindset tips,