Starting and sticking to a 5 a.m. morning routine might feel challenging, confusing, and draining for those who are not used to it. However, for those who have already established this habit, being a morning person feels more motivating, refreshing, and energizing.

I used to have a consistent morning routine until I entered motherhood. In the initial days of motherhood, I completely forgot about my routines because my priorities changed, new schedules took over, and sleep became a luxury. (I believe that was the right thing to do at the time!)

At some point, I started to feel like myself again and wanted to be the person I used to be. So, I tried to return to the 5 a.m. club. But with new responsibilities and a new family member, it was really difficult. As a busy mother, I modified my 5 a.m. morning routine to fit my current phase of life with more flexibility;and it was the best decision I ever made.

With and Without a 5 AM Morning Routine: What I Felt

• Sleep Procrastination:
  Having a morning routine indirectly motivates us to stick to a strict early-to-bed policy. After losing mine, I developed a tendency to keep postponing my bedtime, only to wake up feeling tired in the morning.
• Stress:
  When I shifted my ‘me time’ to the night hours, after my kids were asleep and the house was quiet, I realized it created a pressure to finish everything early just so I could enjoy those late-night hours. But when my ‘me time’ was in the morning, I felt fully recharged afterward, with no stress to rush through tasks or wait for my kids to sleep to enjoy some downtime.
• Low Energy Level:
  Lack of quality sleep and increased stress contribute to low energy levels and reduced productivity.
• Time Management:
  A great morning routine directly influences the entire day. Having a structured routine or deciding what to add to your day helps motivate you to lead a disciplined life, which indirectly supports better time management, adding more energy and freshness.
• Quality Me-Time:
  Mindful and well-planned “me time” in the morning, even if it’s just for ten minutes, is far more beneficial than the tired, mindless hours later in the day.

5 AM Morning Routine ideas

1. Wake Up with Intention:
   Wake up with a clear vision. For someone just starting out, there might be a lot of doubts, confusion, and challenges. This makes it harder to stick to a routine and can be mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. Planning the day ahead, slowly and gradually adapting to a 5 AM routine, and going to bed early with a healthy bedtime routine is an effective way to deal with this. Instead of making drastic changes overnight, easing into the habit will make it more sustainable and less overwhelming. Waking up with a purpose makes the day more exciting, fueling motivation to get out of bed.
2. Freshen Up:
   Take 5 minutes to relax in bed, doing nothing but stretching, breathing, and calming your mind. Then, head straight to the washroom to complete your morning hygiene tasks, like brushing your teeth, washing your face, and going to the toilet. If you have a skincare routine, finish that as well.
3. Mindful Sips:
   The first cup of water should be the first mindful moment of the day. Taking a minute to sit and drink, feeling the water hydrating your mouth and gut, and energizing you is something we fail to notice, but it’s an incredibly simple way to relax and refresh, kickstarting your day.
4. Greet Yourself:
   Look at yourself in the mirror and greet the real you with a smile. Comb your hair and put on a neat outfit that makes you feel good. This may seem like a silly habit, but it’s a powerful step to increase your productivity by positively influencing your energy levels and mental health.
5. 20-30 Minutes for Learning:
   Start your day by doing something to improve yourself, like reading a good book or listening to an inspiring podcast or learning a language to help you grow and become a better version of yourself. This helps you feel content and motivated throughout the day. 
6. Exercise:
   Spend another 20-30 minutes dedicated to your physical fitness. It can be anything from walking in a park, doing some quick stretching exercises, dancing, attending a yoga session, or doing Zumba. The goal is to make regular exercise a habit and do it in a peaceful atmosphere to maximize the benefits of happy hormones. 
7. To-Do List (My Personal Favorite):
   Some people prefer to make it the night before, while others do it in the morning. Whatever your choice is, make sure you go through the tasks once in the morning. Number them based on priority and highlight the top three. From my personal experience, I’ve found this method to be highly effective in increasing productivity and time management. 
8. Journaling:
   It can be as short as 1 minute or as long as 20 minutes.Write something from your mind-your emotions, gratitude, motivational quotes, a diet journal (helpful for planning your day and keeping track of your eating habits), or something creative. Whatever it may be, use the time to connect with yourself and process your thoughts or ideas. This is a great tip for better mental health and quality of life.
9. Finish Off Your Most Important Task:
   Tackle the first priority task while your energy levels are high. This can help you ease your day, stay focused, work on your procrastination, and build momentum for the rest of your tasks.
10. Open the Blinds, Make the Bed,Organize Personal Space:
    This task is a reminder of how important it is to put effort into welcoming sunshine into our lives, staying organized, and maintaining discipline. Sometimes, I do this before the previous step, depending on personal preference.
11. Connect with Nature:
    Set the vibe for the day by taking a few minutes to connect with nature. It can be as simple as stepping out onto the balcony to enjoy fresh air and sunlight, looking at the clouds and taking a deep breath before checking your phone, listening to the birds, or just observing your garden plants.
12. Take a Refreshing Shower:
    Shower time is a personal preference, and I love how energetic, relaxing, and refreshing I feel after a morning shower.Most importantly, the time before the kids wake up is the only chance for a mindful bath time.
13. A Few Minutes of Prayer or Meditation:
    This is something I never want to miss because it gives me confidence, clarity of thought, mental strength, and resilience. I love the silence and always feel that it’s the best mindful activity for me. You can add extra time for meditation or adjust it based on your preference.
14. Connecting with Loved Ones:
    My mornings are incomplete without connecting with my favorite people, either through a warm hug or spending some time together with a cup of tea (milk for the kids). It makes my day feel complete.

5 AM Morning Routine : Additional Tips

• Make sure to clean the kitchen before you sleep. Waking up to a clean space is energizing.
• Set a bedtime routine that emphasizes sleeping with a calm, optimistic mind, which helps maintain energy levels in the morning.
• Work on your tendency to check your phone first thing in the morning, even if it’s just for important emails or texts.
• Stick to the routine even on weekends to train your biological clock to wake up without the need for an alarm.
• Don’t force yourself. Changes to your sleep schedule should be gradual and slow.
• Go to bed early. Make sure you don’t compromise on healthy sleep hours.
• Be flexible. It’s okay to binge-watch your series with your partner late at night and wake up late occasionally. It’s also fine to sleep a little extra if you’re feeling tired.Rigid rules make the routine exhausting in the long run.

Reflections from Mindful Portrait

Many of us find it extremely difficult to carve out time in the morning, especially when we’re busy finishing tasks and managing kids. However, try to create a personalized routine and find some relaxing moments by waking up a little earlier than the kids, giving yourself some extra time before the hustle of the day begins.

Aim to use your time wisely rather than being strict about the exact time you wake up. Even if you’re only able to wake up at 6 AM, that’s still okay. The goal is to adjust the routine to make it work best for you.