Being a morning person myself, I was always confused about the need for a separate morning routine for summer. But I got interested in it after hearing about it a lot, and then, when I started to carefully and mindfully analyze my morning routine, I realized that indeed there are some differences between the morning routines of different seasons. 

Even though designing a separate morning routine for each season is not a necessity, if you are someone who loves to enjoy the seasons, welcome new beginnings, and practice mindfulness, then this will work best for you – to create a separate, healthy morning routine especially for summer.

My Summer Morning Routine

1. Wake Up Earlier: Summer is the perfect time to start waking up early. I’ve always felt the warm, bright weather makes it much easier than in winter, especially for beginners. So, the first thing in your morning routine is to train and motivate yourself to wake up a little earlier than your usual time. Let it be 4 a.m., 5 a.m., or even just half an hour earlier, it all depends on your life schedule and current phase. Do what suits you best. If you’ve always wanted to become a morning person but are struggling, this is your chance.
2. Stick to a Consistent Wake Time: This applies to the phase when you have finally reached your targeted wake time. Usually, we go through a gradual transition when trying to become a morning person. Once you have reached your goal, then stick to that time, even on weekends, to train your sleep cycle. This helps you naturally set your routine and wake up earlier without feeling tired or stressed. Still, you should be your own authority and act accordingly when it is a necessity, such as for health reasons or when you genuinely need more rest.
3. A Splash of Cold Water: Starting the summer with a splash of cold water on your face gives you instant energy. Then, freshen yourself up, brush your teeth and make yourself tidy at the very start of the day. This helps set the vibe and wash off tiredness.
4. Hydrate Your Body: Even your body needs water. Let it be the first thing you do for yourself. Drink a sip of water. Since it is summer, set a water-drinking goal and start tracking your intake from the very start of the day. And make it a routine. If you are someone who often forgets to nourish yourself with sufficient water, you should take some time to fill your water bottle and update your water goals and tracking table. If you are terrible at keeping up your level, then fill the bottles needed for at least half the day right now.
5. Book of the Season: This is something unique I love about my summer morning routine. Every summer, I find a book in a genre that interests me. For example, it was fiction one season and a self-help book in another. I declare it my book of the season and try to finish it by the end of summer, in a relaxed way. This helps me make memories of each summer morning, and it also motivates me to wake up early. Anyway, reading 2–3 pages of a book is my me-time or self-care activity, one that I always include in my morning routine, irrespective of the season.
6. Excercise: Depending on the weather, I love to step outside and go for a walk as part of my morning routine. I feel that sticking to an early morning exercise routine works best for me in summer. Even on humid summer days, finishing my exercise in the early hours helps me avoid excuses and actually get it done.
7. A Cold, Mindful Shower: The next thing I never miss in my summer morning routine is my mindful bathing ritual. In winter, I usually keep it short and practical but in summer, it’s the opposite. I love to enjoy a mindful bathing hour in the early morning, welcoming all positive energy and calmness into my day.
8. Summer Skincare Routine: Setting a special summer skincare routine helps remind me of the importance of taking care of my skin when the sun is bright. I keep a separate set of skincare steps for the season, sometimes even trying homemade or natural face packs that suit summer concerns like tanning. I also check and rearrange my rack with sunscreen and other products relevant to the season. The same definitely applies to my haircare as well. I utilize the early morning hours (free from chaos and responsibilities) for quiet, personal things like this.
9. Go Screen-Free for an Hour: The most challenging part for me wasn’t waking up early-it was avoiding my phone for the first hour. It’s really tempting to check the phone first thing in the morning: going through messages, emails, and falling into the infinite scroll. But with effort, this needs to be sorted out;you have to create a boundary for yourself. That one screen-free hour sets the tone for a more mindful and present start to the day.
10. A Few Minutes with My Plants: The next consistent part of my morning routine is checking up on my plants, both indoor and outdoor. I water them; just like I remind myself of the importance of hydration in summer, I feel they need water too. Then I spend a few moments with them: checking up on them, looking for any dried leaves, or simply spending a few mindful minutes relaxing beside them.
    This is my way of living a slow morning – a quiet, peaceful start to the day. When we talk about morning routines, I believe everyone should find their own version of this. Let it be caring for your plants or pets, or anything else that gently encourages a slower pace and a more mindful beginning.
11. Welcoming Some ‘Rays’: The early morning sunlight gives me a special feeling. I find it represents hope;the promise of a new day and fresh beginnings. So, in my morning, I like to experience this. Sometimes it’s just opening the blinds and seeing the rays flashing through the room-without disturbing my kids, of course. Or sometimes it’s going outside for a walk, an exercise session, or some yoga in the backyard, and feeling the real sunlight on my body.
    Here’s an additional tip: if you’re struggling to wake up in the morning, try opening your blinds halfway or just a little, the night before. Letting some sunlight enter in the morning can become something that gently motivates you to get up.
12. Pack and Fill for a Healthy Summer: One thing I miss about my childhood or more precisely, the transition from being a daughter to becoming a mother is my mom. She would come to me with a bowl of cut or peeled fruit, a glass of water, or a packed lunch. Someone to remind me about what kind of food I should be eating – the need for more water, more fruits, and vegetables, especially in summer.
    I know, as an adult, it’s now my duty to take care of myself. And it’s not just a sweet gestures, it’s a responsibility. To love and care for others, my children, my family, it has to start with me.
    So, in my summer mornings, I plan and review my water intake, fruit intake, and vegetable intake. I keep a simple food journal. I fill my water bottle and pick or pack the fruits or salads I need to eat that day.
    Because as a busy woman, it’s tempting to just grab some crackers when hunger hits or to forget or put off eating the fruit altogether. But packing or planning it in the morning helps me make sure I get plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are so important in the summer heat.
13. Plan My Summer Days: Next, I sit with a calm and fresh mind, go through my to-do list, think about my priorities, and organize my day. When I have ample time or on a relaxed, free day, I go through my summer bucket list, tick off the things I’ve completed, and plan the next ones.
14. Pick My Mindful Activity of the Day: For me, the one mindful activity I never miss in my morning is my prayer session. A few minutes of prayer feels like talking to my soul, showing gratitude to the universe, and refilling my energy. When I have time, sometimes I do a quick meditation, but these days, with the kids, many times I tend to procrastinate it.
    Another mindfulness activity I focus on lately is mindful eating. I keep breakfast as my mindful eating time, enjoying healthy fruits and vegetables with a nourishing summer meal.
    Some days, it’s journaling. When I feel a little dull or like my brain is blocked, I take out my journal and do a brain dump to clear the clutter from my mind. Or I go through gratitude lines, pages in my journal, motivational quotes, or my vision board.

Reflections From Mindful Portrait

Like we discussed, even if you’re a night owl or someone who’s always wanted to stick to a morning routine but needs motivation, take this summer as your fuel. Make the most of the season by creating a productive and calming morning routine. Let go of sleep procrastination and invite slow, mindful mornings into your day. Pick your favorites from the list and add your own healthy morning habits to create a unique summer morning routine that’s interesting enough to stick with throughout.

And as a bonus, by the end of the season, you will naturally become a morning person.