Top 10 Morning Habits for Success and Happiness: How to Start Your Day Right
Updated: Feb 27
What are the daily morning habits of a highly successful woman?
As I age I come to realize the importance and benefits of waking up early enough for a healthy morning routine. If you told me years ago to wake up earlier to complete a few of these habits I definitely would have scoffed, hit the snooze, and rolled over. Creating a solid morning routine helps you build good habits that will allow you to focus, get more done during the day, reach your goals, and generally improve your life. Starting off your day with a healthy morning routine and proper nutrition habits can help you feel more productive and in control. The trick is finding what habits give you fuel for success, and sticking with them every morning. It will make all the difference in your life.
When looking at morning habits for successful people, getting out of bed early is at the top of almost all lists. The tone of your morning will define the tone of your day, so it is time to start planning accordingly. How you choose to spend your early morning hours will determine the tone for the rest of the day. Not everyone is an early bird or morning person, so it may take a little practice to build a routine that works for you. If you are resistant to the early morning wake-up call and prone to hitting snooze, start with one or two of the habits below. Once successful, then try another or two.
Here are 10 simple habits to build a morning routine that sets you up for success and happiness.
A healthy morning routine begins the night before. After a night of restful sleep, you wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day with your new morning habits. Getting quality sleep is essential to starting your mornings off right.
Drink water first thing. I know, I know it’s tempting to want that first cup of coffee the minute you roll out of bed. And definitely do not skip the coffee! But reach first for water that hydrates you. Hydration does your body good. Drinking water is the first thing that wakes your metabolism. It helps flush out all the toxins your kidneys and liver have been working hard all night at removing. Plus we have slept for 7-8 hours so our body is in deep need of hydration.
Meditate. Even if it’s 5 minutes or 20 minutes before you get moving into your routine, try anything related that gives you a feeling of inspiration. To be tranquil and relax your mind, relaxes your nervous system and gives you space before jumping into the grind. You will feel better after you meditate in the morning.
Make the bed. When your physical space is untidy, your mind often feels the same way. Tidy up your space and make the bed. Get the clothes in the hamper. Whatever makes you feel more settled in your physical space, is well worth the effort.
Stay off your phone. After your alarm goes off if you are checking your email or text messages, we need to have a heart-to-heart. You’re starting off your day by acknowledging others’ needs, before your own needs. Give yourself time to focus on what you need. Stay off social media and don’t check your email or text message alerts for at least 30 minutes after waking up. Provide yourself time to be present. Don’t slave to reactive, response mode from all your notifications and alerts.
Get moving. Another habit that successful people swear by is working a little bit of sweat in the first part of the day. Stretching or exercising, even turn on some tunes that get you dancing. A morning workout routine will kick-start your productive, focused day.
Eat a healthy breakfast. It’s tempting to skip breakfast when pressed for time but a healthy “real food” breakfast can fuel your body and prepare you for the day ahead. What does a healthy breakfast mean to you? Oatmeal, avocado toast, or a protein smoothie? I love the habit of a green smoothie to start every work day. It’s energizing and packed with plenty of goodness.
Self Care includes a morning skincare routine. It doesn’t have to be complex. A quick and simple skincare routine is some necessary self-care for your skin in the long term. It’s shocking at how it zaps dullness and you gain serious instant-glow benefits for the rest of the day. And remember that it’s not the skin above your neckline that’s important. Don’t forget to take care of the rest of your body with a hydrating body lotion too.
Connection – Connect with a friend, your kids, or others who make you feel joy and happiness. A hug and a smile if they are with you. This is a natural part of the morning and definitely won’t feel like an added task to your to-do list.
Mindset and Goals -Gratitude before Goals. Think about a few things you are grateful for and it can be some things that are very simple. A brief moment to cultivate a sense of true gratitude makes it easier to be more aware as you go on thru your day. When you are ready add a gratitude journal and begin the day writing down those thoughts. Then make a list of goals for the day. It helps to identify what you would like to achieve for the day.
Even if you cannot get up this early, it is still good to take at least 30 minutes (or more) after getting out of bed to gather your thoughts and reflect on the day ahead. Put something in place that reminds you of your morning routine, like a post-it on the bathroom mirror or a note on the fridge. Last, integrate your morning routine into what you’re already doing. You have the ability to choose what fits your life, your personality, your motivations, your goals, your desires, and your unique circumstances.
Women who are extremely successful in their lives, or who are highly productive, usually engage in at least six habits from this list each morning. Some of the world’s most respected, creative, and successful women depend on their own morning routines to make sure that their days are as productive and successful as possible.
Adopting these habits in your own life does not make you successful automatically…but looking at successful people and trying to incorporate what they do in our own lives really does increase the chances of us becoming successful as well.
Which healthy habit are you going to add to your morning routine for success and happiness?