Repetitive routines help set the tone for the day. And regularly starting your day on a positive note can help your mental, emotional and physical health. There are many benefits of a morning routine so keep reading to learn more.

Start your day off right!

Morning anxiety is a common issue for many people. I’m sure you’ve had days when you wake worrying about your health, job, relationship or something else. Or you’re dreading something happening in the day, such as cancer treatment or tests. Overthinking about these stresses isn’t good for your physical, mental or emotional health.

Did you know that how you start the morning can impact your entire day? Routines create a sense of normalcy, helping keep you calm and energized to face your day. Studies show that those who start their day feeling calm and happy/positive usually maintain those feelings throughout the day. On the opposite side, those who start off feeling in a bad mood or anxious typically struggle to improve their mood.

Your morning activities help set your body’s circadian rhythm. Being active helps cortisol spike to help you feel energized and alert. This also helps your body produce melatonin to make you sleepy at night. A disrupted circadian rhythm can lead to higher anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, according to a study in Nature.

Years ago I started a morning routine that helped me begin my day with optimism, calm and good energy. Over time as I stuck with this routine, I’ve noticed that my days are typically more productive and I’m simply calmer and more content feeling throughout the day. And that’s awesome!

My day typically starts with:

• Glass of water

• Meditation (most days I do a meditation before I get out bed, right after my alarm goes off. One of my favorites is a five-minute positive affirmation found here.)

• Coffee or tea

• Reading an affirmation card from my Today I Choose card deck [Shop here]

• Journaling focused on gratitude and/or goals for the day [Check out my Today I Choose journal.]

• Read a book for about 10-15 minutes

• Exercise (stretching, yoga, walk)

It may seem like a lot to pack into my morning before work. But it actually doesn’t take too long and is worth the earlier alarm. Doing these activities starts my day off positively and relaxing.

Waiting to check email, social media and news sources until after my morning routine helps me also be better prepared to handle anything negative, distracting or heavy.

I stuck with this routine during breast cancer treatment a few years ago, including almost four months of chemotherapy and 20 rounds of radiation. It actually was the best way to help me get through treatment!

Starting the day on a positive note helped me feel less stressed and stay focused on what I could control (my attitude and goals). Believe it or not, I often felt relaxed and in a positive mood, which definitely was needed during cancer treatment. And the normalcy of an every day routine was welcome when so much is uncertain during cancer treatment.

Benefits of a morning routine

• Regulates your sleep-wake cycle.

• Lowers anxiety and depression.

• Sets a positive tone for your day.

• You choosing how to start your day helps you control your attitude rather outside influences.

• Helps you feel calm when facing more challenging decisions, actions and projects.

• Increases your productivity and boosts your energy.

Of course sometimes things come up that may interrupt my routine so I might not have time to do all of my morning activities. But I’ve learned to be flexible. And I enjoy these activities and the positive emotions that come with them so much that if for some reason I can’t accomplish all in the morning, I sprinkle throughout the day. Seriously, I feel so much better regularly doing these activities!

How’s your day?

Do you have a morning routine? If so, what’s included? Share in the comments!