14 Morning Routines To Make Your Whole Day Better
Daily habits and morning routines that guarantee a better day ahead.
Mornings are for creating a great day. ☀️
A new dawn, a new day… a new wake-up ritual to put your best foot forward first thing in the morning. Start your day off right with these morning routines and daily habits to make your day better than ever. They’re simple and easy too!
1. Make your bed.
Have you ever heard the quote “Outer order creates inner calm”? Making your bed is the first task of the day and doing it will lead to higher productivity. Plus, starting your day with an organized and tidy room will help you feel less stressed and more focused.
“On the days I make my bed in the morning I feel so much more motivated and notice I tend to accomplish many other tasks that seem to build up quickly such as getting more laundry done, unloading the dishwasher, etc. At the end of the day, it’s also so nice to crawl into a made bed as opposed to a messy one from the night before.” – Sara, Hip sidekick
2. Get up before your kids or well before you need to leave the house.
If you have kids, you know there’s not much time for peace and quiet once they’re awake. That’s why starting your morning early, well before the kids rise, will allow you to wake up peacefully, collect your thoughts, and center yourself.
“I love my mornings and getting up early, so I have time to catch up on the things I need to do! I also love just sitting and enjoying a fresh cup of coffee alone. It makes a good start to my day, which in turn helps the kids have a good day since I’m not grouchy. 😉“ – Angie, Hip sidekick
“I get up several hours before the rest of my household. I CRAVE that alone time when it’s nice and quiet!” – Bryn, Hip sidekick
“As much as I dislike getting up earlier it really does make my whole day better. If I don’t get a little time to myself before the rest of the house wakes up, I feel completely out of whack for the rest of the day.” – Jenna, Hip sidekick
3. Get an early morning workout.
Starting your day with an early morning workout will boost your metabolism, get that blood flowing, and energize you for your day ahead. Whether you like to work out at home or the gym, we guarantee adding a quick workout to your morning routine will stimulate positive vibes for your day.
“I do a 25-minute stretching routine every morning while listening to a podcast. It helps to relieve any tightness from sleeping the night before, clears my head, and also prepares my body for the day (which as you know can involve a lot of sitting).” – Bryn, Hip sidekick
“Most days I start at the gym which is the best way for me! Then I just dive head first into my day!” – Melissa, Hip sidekick
Hip Tip: Check out any of these free workout apps if you’re not sure where to start, or any of these accountability apps PAY you to work out!
4. Meditate for a few minutes.
Meditation is a practice that will take some work if you’re not already in the habit of doing it, but once you’ve developed the practice, it’s a great way to create inner peace and balance. This practice also helps you relax and deal with stress which can keep you grounded throughout even the most stressful days.
5. Shower and put yourself together.
Everyone has their own way of feeling “ready” regarding their beauty routine. Whether it’s washing your face, applying makeup, styling your hair, or even simply taking a shower. Regardless of how you get ready, doing so will make you feel refreshed and can set a positive tone for the day. Before you put on your makeup, try this massage to help you get rid of those undereye bags too.
“I try to make sure my daughter and I are up two hours before school so we have time to get ready without rushing around and yelling at each other. 😄 We get up, and I do her hair while she watches cartoons, and then I get myself together which makes me feel human! I make breakfast for both of us and then we typically chat for about 15-20 minutes which is always my favorite part of the day. If I can send her to school smiling and relaxed, it ensures a better day for both of us.” – Jessica, Hip sidekick
“Warm bubble bath with sunrise view outside and eucalyptus spray. We often have hot air balloon tours going on above us, so I enjoy spotting them. Life is chaotic but any chance you can just be still in the morning is perfect.” – Lina, Hip sidekick
Hip Tip: We shared an easy DIY to elevate your morning showers.
6. Speak and think with a positive mindset.
No one enjoys being around someone who always exudes negativity and it sure doesn’t make you feel good either. Speaking positivity to yourself improves your mental state and everyone around you will be drawn to your positivity too. As Dalai Lama says, “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
7. Unload the dishwasher.
The relief of having an empty dishwasher or sink is one I’m sure we all know very well. While I don’t believe many people actually enjoy this daily habit, it sure feels great to have a tidy kitchen! Plus, it makes dinner cleanup after work so much easier!
“This is one of the first things I do in the morning since I run our dishwasher every night. It feels so nice to have an empty dishwasher so any dishes my kids use before school and while I’m working all day can go straight in the dishwasher and keep our sink free of clutter.” – Sara, Hip sidekick
Hip Tip: We shared some genius dishwasher hacks you may not know about.
8. Do something that speaks to YOU and levels you for the day ahead.
These daily habits should be anything you love and the goal for this morning routine is to ground you and make your cup feel full. Unplug and read a book, listen to music, pray, watch the sunrise, or do whatever brings you joy. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, we all deserve to have a few minutes to ourselves.
“A few of my favorite ways to start my day are 28 minute Yoga using Alo Moves app (preferably outside as the sun rises), walking my boys around the lake, and a morning shower while I play Queen or Fleetwood Mac on my record player.” – Soleil, Hip sidekick
“For me, it would be starting my day with a daily devotional. When we’re done with the short read we pray together. It’s the best! Starting my day this way always grounds me and fills me up. I love that we do this early (the goal is 5:30 AM) when the house is quiet before the kids wake up. Our morning routine is so peaceful and it involves a cup of coffee too. LOL” – Melinda, Hip sidekick
“I usually start my day off with a yummy cup of coffee and then I read my Bible. If it’s a nice morning I’ll do this on my balcony because nothing feels better than fresh air to start your day! Without this routine, my day just feels a little out of whack!” – Alli, Hip sidekick
9. Check your accounts.
Normally, I would advise against screen time first thing in the morning, but for these purposes I love it. Checking your banking accounts in the morning will keep you in a goal-oriented mindset and prepare you to tackle your day head-on!
“I’ve been making it my goal this year to significantly ramp up my savings, so I check Mint (the budgeting site I use) every morning, even if I don’t think there’s any change in my checking, savings, and credit accounts. This prevents me from making impulsive and unnecessary purchases since I know my money balance at all times. It keeps me in check with my savings goal every day!” – Emily, Hip sidekick
Hip Tip: Trying to find a budgeting system that works for you? Check out these FREE budgeting apps that have all been tested by our team!
10. Do 5 minutes of journaling.
Journaling is proven to improve mental health, encourage self-confidence, boost emotional intelligence, help achieve goals, inspire creativity, boost memory, enhance critical thinking skills, heighten academic performance, improve physical health, and strengthen communication skills. This is a daily habit everyone can benefit from.
“When I get in the habit of journaling, it totally transforms my day. I love The Five Minute Journal because it comes with prompts so it requires very little creativity in the morning and I feel so focused and at peace when I’m done.” – Sara, Hip sidekick
11. Plan out your goals for the day.
Set yourself up for success and make a to-do list of what you need to accomplish for the day. You’ll be more likely to reach all your goals when they’re right in front of you. The free MVP list app for iOS devices or the Checklist for Android is a free tool to track your goals digitally.
12. Get some morning sunshine.
Sunlight is the most natural way to wake up in the morning and makes us feel better overall. Not to mention it saves money on your electricity bill. 😉
“Opening my blinds is my favorite thing to do in the morning. I just feel so alive when I see sunlight, and in the warmer months, opening the windows with fresh air streaming in makes me feel so happy! Sunlight is truly good for the soul.” – Sara, Hip sidekick
13. Plan the night before.
While there are many things you can do to have a great day after you wake up, we can’t forget about what you can do the night before, too. Try prepping lunches or dinners, laying out your outfits for the morning, or even setting the timer on your coffee pot. Not only will these simple tasks make your morning less hectic, but they’ll also save you time.
Check out these clever lunch box hacks for some great ideas. Lina even shared a week’s worth of easy lunches that are sandwich-free.
14. Catch up on Hip2Save!
Who doesn’t love a great deal while drinking their coffee/tea first thing in the morning?! Of course, our favorite way to start the day here at Hip2Save is by checking out all the best deals, delicious new recipes, or even keto-friendly ideas on our sister site, Hip2Keto!
Here’s what some of our Hip readers had to say about their daily habits of checking Hip:
“I would give Hip2Save a million stars if I could! Collin is always posting the latest deals with the links to access them. I have purchased so many of the deals she has listed, especially from Amazon and Kohl’s. The promo codes are always legit, and she even posts when a deal has expired so you aren’t wasting your time. I have downloaded countless money-saving apps, and this is the only one I have kept on my phone!” – Kathy H., Hip2Save reader
“If you want to save money on the things you need, Hip2Save is great! I check in every morning to find out where the great deals are. They provide lots of information on everyday necessities like shampoo, soap, and paper towels, but many times I have also found a post for a major purchase that is exactly what I was looking for. The videos are fun and entertaining. They really do make it fun to shop for the best values around!” – Patti, Hip2Save reader
Here’s an oldie, but a goodie glimpse of our Hip CEO, Collin’s, morning routine… 😉
Iβve got the last one covered! #everymorning
Aww, SO sweet! Thanks for starting your days with us! ππ₯°
Me tooπ
Thanks, Sue! We sure appreciate you stopping by each day! π€β€οΈ
Thank you, I love all of this!! I check my H2S app lots & lots of time throughout the day π
You’re SO very welcome! Glad you’re loving these morning ideas, Glenna! Thanks for making us a part of your daily routine! β€οΈ It sure means a lot.
How early do you expect me to get up? lol. I’d be asleep by noon.
LOL! You could do a few of these or pick just one activity that might help you start your day! π€β€οΈ
Pick a word for your week. For example, Love, Service, Friendship, Bold, Motivated, Savings, Caring and try to live by that word for the week. You will be surprised how often that word comes up for that week.
Affirmations are wonderful too. Plant those deep into your subconscious!
I wish the sun came out everyday where we live. This winter has been hard. The sun peeked out the other day and my child ran outside and said I am not coming in till it leaves again.
Love that suggestion! π The weather has been gloomy near me this week too. Hoping your area sees more of the sun again soon! ππ€
Bahaha!! Love Collinβs mug on the link at the bottom!!!
LOL! Me too! π πβ€οΈ
I make my bed every time I have to fold laundry on it. The pillows stay in the same weird places though because that’s how I was comfortable enough to sleep the night before.
Thanks for sharing, TheQueenBee! I thought I was the only one that would leave the pillows where they were before! ππβ€οΈ
The beds get made in new unique designs. It feels good not to be alone. π