7 Essential Morning Habits for Moms

Take control of your mornings and have a more productive day with these 7 Essential Morning Habits for Moms!

As a busy mom of three kids, I have had many seasons of motherhood that have been less organized than other times. It is true that you are never more busy in your life than when you have kids in your home. A few years ago, I developed a few simple morning habits that have made my day less chaotic and more organized. I wanted to share these 7 Morning Habits for Moms that I think are essential for any busy mom!

Why do you need a morning routine?

We all know that kids thrive on routines. When they know what is expected of them and what is the schedule, they feel more secure and confident. But, routines are not just for kids! Moms really thrive on routines too. Did you know there are actual health benefits to a good routine?

According to Northwestern Medicine, when you have a good routine, you can expect:

• Better Sleep: When you have a sleep routine, you can count on better sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time most days.
• Better Stress Levels: A routine allows you to know to expect about your day. When you have a routine, you can have less anxiety and improved mental health.
• Improved Health: A good routine includes time to take care of your body including exercise and hydration.
• Setting a Good Example: Your family will see the positive benefits of your routine and they just might follow your lead!

With all of these amazing benefits in mind, there is no reason not to create a good daily routine!

First things first, you want to establish some good morning habits in your routine. Your morning routine will set the stage for the rest of your day! If you start the day with a strong routine, you can expect to have a productive day. 

Of course, things always come up and our best laid plans can be thwarted. But, these roadblocks are all the more reason to have a morning routine established. When those unexpected issues come up, you will be better equipped to handle what life throws at you.

The Best Morning Habits for Moms

The best thing about a morning routine is that it is entirely yours to create! You can decide what order to do these morning habits. You might find that you have to move things around based on you and your family’s schedules.

1. Get Up Before the Kids

My number ONE morning habit might be a little tough to take but it is necessary. The best morning habit for moms is to get up before the kids! It has taken me many years to learn this essential morning habit. But I can tell you that it is life changing. My tip is to start slowly and gradually change the time you wake up in the morning.

First, start by getting up 15 minutes before the rest of the family. Once you see how amazing it is to be up before the rest of the house, you will want even more time to yourself. This is most likely the only time of the day that you will have all by yourself. So use this time to your advantage!

2. Focus on Gratitude

Every day is a gift and it is important to acknowledge the life we have been given. I have talked a lot about gratitude journaling and the many benefits of this daily habit.

3. Move Your Body

This is another morning habit that might take some getting used to. For many years, I worked out during the day. When the kids were little, I used to bring them to our local gym and they loved to play in the day care. This routine really worked well for me.

As the kids have gotten older and they are all in school, I needed to switch my workout routine. I found that working out during the day was becoming a big disruption. It would take up most of my morning with driving to the gym, working out and then coming home and getting dressed.

Now, I work out at home before the kids wake up! I can not believe how much more time I feel like I have to my day by working out early. There is no reason you can not work out at home. You can find so many awesome free workout videos on YouTube. Some of my favorite at home work out routines include Heather Robertson, Tone it Up and Fitness Blender.

There are also great workout plans on Pinterest. It is so easy to work out at home.

4. Fuel Your Body

One of the best things you can do for your health in the morning is to drink water! I try to drink a full glass of water before I have my morning coffee. I do need that cup of morning coffee and I recently got this programmable coffee maker so that I am sure my coffee is ready for me in the morning.

The other thing I do, is that I stick to the exact same breakfast every day. One of the first decisions you make in the morning is what to have for breakfast. If you eat the same thing (almost) every day, then you have one less decision to make. My husband usually seeks out a different breakfast each day and I see him struggling on this decision most days. I think it is so much easier to eat the same breakfast.

If sticking to the same breakfast does not appeal to you, then maybe pick 2-3 breakfast items that your routine each day.

5. Review Your Schedule

In order to know the plan for the day, it is important to review the schedule. It does not matter if you like to use your phone as a calendar or if you are like me and still like to use a paper planner.  Whatever planning method works for you!

This planner from Spaces Planner is my new favorite! It has a two page per week layout and offers a lot of room for a flexible schedule.

By understanding what your schedule is for the day, you can plan accordingly. There should not be a whole lot of surprises to your day if you know the schedule. Of course life happens and things do not always go as planned!

6. Plan Your Meals

When I talk to moms, one of the biggest stressors to their days is meal planning. Five o’clock rolls around and you have no idea what is for dinner. The kids are asking, everyone is hungry and you have a busy evening ahead! Does this sound familiar or is it just me? We have all been there.

Meal Planning is an essential habit of an effective morning routine. I tend to meal plan on the weekends. But during the week, I am constantly reviewing our meal plan. I make tweaks as the week goes on and our schedule fluctuates.

Each morning, I review our dinner plan and I take care of any of the prep work I can do. This includes throwing ingredients in a crock pot or even just making the decision on what time I will start dinner.

By getting the details of dinner out of the way in the morning, you can be sure that the dinner hour will run a lot smoother!

 

7. Get Dressed

Last but not least, this morning habit is another important one for moms. Admittedly, for many years, I did not get dressed first thing in the morning. I could usually be found in work out clothes all day. But, once I started working out in the morning, I also started showering and getting dressed each day.

I can tell you that it feels SO GOOD to be dressed and ready for the day. I feel better about myself when I take the time to take care of myself.

Realistic Morning Routine for Moms

Keep in mind that morning routines can evolve throughout time. What works for you in one season of life might not be the routine you need at another time. When you are in the thick of parenting with young babies at home, your morning routine will be a lot different than a mom who has all of her kids in school.

Every so often, assess how your morning routine and see if it is still working for you! You might need to tweak some of your morning habits to fit your current lifestyle.

There are times that you get off track on your morning routine. When the kids are off of school or we go on a vacation, I tend to get off my routine. But, my routine is always waiting for me when I am ready to get back to it. I do not beat myself up for not being on a routine. The first day back to a routine can be tough but then it gets easier as the days go on.

Tell me, what is an essential part of your morning routine?

You might also like these posts on motherhood:

30 Days of Self Care Printable Calendar

Self Care Routine for Moms

How to Stay Organized When the Kids Go to School

Meal Planning Strategies for Busy Families