If you want to focus a bit more attention on yourself and practice self-care, working on your morning routine is a great place to start. If you’re just hopping out of bed, grabbing breakfast, and running out the door, you’re probably already stressed by the time you get into your car! The following tips can provide a healthier option to start a better morning routine:

Read a Few Pages in a Book

If you can set your alarm for a little bit earlier, it gives you the chance to catch up on your reading. Find a book that is inspirational and helps motivate you for the day. Read just a few pages or a whole chapter, depending on how much free time you have. You might even set a timer and read for ten or fifteen minutes. This can be while you’re having your morning coffee or when your breakfast is warming up. Take advantage of these quiet moments and become absorbed in your favorite book.

Have Quiet Time With Coffee

Whether you drink coffee or tea in the morning, you can make this part of your self-care ritual. Try to have your first cup of coffee in the morning all alone and in silence. You can read a paper, write in your journal, or sit on your patio and listen to the birds chirping as the sun comes up. This is another great reason to wake up a little earlier than everyone else in your household. You will be amazed by how much better you feel with just a few minutes to yourself.

Unplug Your Devices

When you’re trying to start a new morning routine for self-care purposes, it’s a great idea to unplug all devices and treat yourself to a mini-digital detox. Don’t try to enjoy a few minutes to yourself by using your cell phone or checking email. Checking social media can actually lead to more stress instead of less! Try turning off all electronics during your self-care time in the morning and don’t turn them on until you absolutely need to. A good practice to start is to turn your cell phone off after the alarm goes off to wake you up in the morning.

Practice Meditation

The morning is also the ideal time to meditate and repeat mantras. Mantras are sayings or words that help to center your focus and make it easier to meditate. You can also try breathing exercises or traditional meditation. If you want to take a walk in the morning, that can also help you to meditate.

Move Your Body

Starting your day with some gentle movement can help to relieve stress. You might go for a walk or practice some yoga. Exercising in the morning can help to boost your mood and may actually help to improve your productivity. For inspiration, check out my Morning Connect yoga series on YouTube. Each practice is less than 20 minutes so it can easily fit into your morning routine.