5 a.m. Morning Routine Ideas: 50 Ways to Start Early

Why read my 5 a.m. morning routine ideas? Because experience is valuable, and that’s what I have plenty of.

I’ve been waking up at 5 a.m. consistently for over five years, and there is one thing you need to know about getting up early: what you do with your time after you wake up is more important than when you wake up.

I can be equally productive by waking up at 5 a.m. or 8 a.m. The difference is what I can do at 5 a.m. versus what I can do at 8 a.m. Allow me to explain.

Suppose I wake up at 8 a.m. I have just an hour before my husband wakes up. Once he’s up, we chat, have coffee together, and spend a few quality hours as a married couple before he goes to work, and I will see him the next day.

Suppose I wake up at 5 a.m. I have an hour for my morning routine and three hours for deep-focus work on my business.

• Why waking up early is important to you?
•  What difference does it make to your days, goals, and habits?
•  What is it that you cannot fit into your current morning routine? Is it something you do or a way you feel?

Without a solid mental foundation of reasons to wake up early, you will most likely fail at it before week one is over. Not only that, but you will add to your feeling of “not capable enough” and “not disciplined enough” and anything “not enough” that your subconscious mind is trying to push as a story to you.

Is discipline everything when it comes to waking up at 5 a.m.?

No!

Motivation and discipline are two very tricky ways to avoid responsibility for doing something and make things worse for us on a mental health level.

Yes, they are absolutely important, especially discipline. But unless you’ve been building up discipline for years or decades, you will likely slack on it.

Well, if it isn’t motivation, and I (shockingly) claim it isn’t discipline, what is it then?

The habit of waking up early every day for years

I used to wake up at 2:30 a.m. for a year. I used to wake up at 4 a.m. for another year. Now, I’m sticking to my 5 a.m. early rise, and it’s the perfect hour of the day for what I do. But there are two reasons to stick to my decision of waking up early regardless of what “early” actually is. And it’s honestly answering two questions.

Why?

Why do I want to wake up so early? When my alarm goes off, and I am seriously contemplating getting up, there is most likely a thought in my brain that screams, “Why?” I give it the Why immediately and ignore its urge to become a whining self-pity party.

Yes, you guessed it right, it is the sense of purpose. This purpose often revolves around a clear vision or goal you’re passionate about achieving, which the early hours can help you pursue without distractions.

Whether it’s personal development, uninterrupted work time, or a moment of solitude before the day’s chaos, this purpose serves as a powerful motivator to overcome the comfort of staying in bed.

Some of my reasons are my long-term goals of building a bigger business and hiring people to work with me, my dreams of buying a house with enough space for a craft room and a library for my 300 books, and the dreams of traveling wherever I want whenever I want…

My Why is a vivid picture of the lifestyle I aim to have. And it works every single morning.

What?

Okay! We have the Why. Now what? No! Seriously! Once I’m out of bed, what is it that I do?

Building a routine means doing the same things regularly. When it’s a morning routine, it means you do the same thing every morning. Being out of my bed so early must be justified with a strong What that prepares me for reaching my Why.

I hope all that makes sense.

I stuck to roughly the same thing for years. You can see my personal morning routine here. For the sake of this post, I want to give you 50 5 a.m. morning routine ideas that you can pick from and build up your own early-rise schedule. Choose only the things that fit your energy levels and resonate most with you.

50 Simple 5 a.m. Morning Routine Ideas

1. Hydrate: Start with a glass of lukewarm lemon water (or a pinch of Celtic salt).
2.  Deep Breathing: Spend 5 minutes on focused deep breathing.
3.  Meditation: Calm your mind with a short meditation session.
4.  Stretching: Awaken your muscles with some light stretches.
5.  Journaling: Write down your thoughts or set your intentions for the day.
6.  Exercise: Engage in a quick HIIT session or go for a jog.
7.  Read: Dive into a chapter of an inspirational book.
8.  Vision Board: Spend time visualizing your goals using a vision board.
9.  Cold Shower: Boost your circulation and alertness.
10.  Plan Your Day: Review your to-do list or planner.
11.  Listen to a Podcast: Opt for something motivational or educational.
12.  Write Gratitude Notes: Jot down three things you’re grateful for.
13.  Dance: Put on your favorite song and move!
14.  Green Smoothie: Blend up a nutritious green drink.
15.  Yoga: Engage in a quick morning yoga sequence.
16.  Bird-Watching: Spend a few minutes in nature observing birds.
17.  Affirmations: Recite positive affirmations in front of the mirror.
18.  Tea Ritual: Brew and enjoy a cup of herbal tea mindfully.
19.  Sketch or Doodle: Express yourself on paper, even if it’s just doodling.
20.  Listen to Nature Sounds: Create a calming atmosphere.
21.  Light Breakfast: Eat something light, like fruits or nuts.
22.  Plan Meals: Decide on your meals for the day.
23.  Brain Games: Play games that sharpen your mind.
24.  Review Goals: Look over your short-term and long-term goals.
25.  Language Learning: Practice a new language using apps or books.
26.  Vision Exercises: Do eye exercises to improve vision and reduce eye strain.
27.  Gardening: If you have a garden, spend some time planting or watering.
28.  Declutter: Clean one small area of your home.
29.  Skin Care Routine: Follow a morning skincare ritual.
30.  Review Finances: Look over your budget or financial goals.
31.  Listen to Classical Music: Boost brain function with some classics.
32.  Learn Something New: Spend 15 minutes on a new skill.
33.  Crafting: Dedicate time to a small crafting project.
34.  Scrapbooking: Update or review your scrapbook.
35.  Photography: Take some early morning photographs.
36.  Mindfulness Walk: Take a short walk, focusing on each step and the environment.
37.  Crossword or Sudoku: Challenge your brain with a puzzle.
38.  Visualization: Visualize your day unfolding perfectly.
39.  Sing: Belt out your favorite tunes or practice vocal exercises.
40.  Listen to the Silence: Enjoy the quietness of the early hour.
41.  Prayer: If you’re religious, spend some time in prayer.
42.  DIY Facial Massage: Refresh your skin and stimulate facial muscles.
43.  Play an Instrument: If you play one, spend a few minutes practicing.
44.  Candle Gazing: Calm your mind by gazing at a candle flame.
45.  Pet Time: Spend quality time with your pet if you have one.
46.  Digital Detox: Spend the first hour without any screens.
47.  Art: Paint, draw, or indulge in any other form of art you enjoy.
48.  Update Diary/Planner: Make note of any updates for the day.
49.  Review Learning: If you’re studying, review your previous day’s learning.
50.  Stargazing: If the sky is still dark, enjoy the serenity of the stars.

Do you wish to save those 50 ideas to your Pinterest board? Check the infographics below.

Plan your days and mornings with my Hygge Planner

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