The school year is officially in full swing. Now, sports and other extra-curricular events start back up and your job is probably busy now that the rest of the world has ended their annual vacations. You might be finding that it’s nearly impossible to find time to practice a healthy morning routine that helps you feel in control of your day and life. 

Trust me, I get it. As a mom and business owner, I struggle to find enough time for everything. Eating nutritiously, journaling, meditating, and praying—all the things that typically help many of us feel happier and calmer – feel less and less manageable as the calendar gets more booked.

Something always pops up on the calendar that I wasn’t expecting and life can feel out of hand. That’s why a morning routine is powerful in helping you achieve your goals while living a more balanced life. 

Perhaps you’re juggling work, school, or kids—or maybe you are the caregiver to someone in your family who needs help during an illness or advanced age. You can’t expect anything to change about this situation, but you can take back your mornings. 

Here are a few tips for developing a solid morning routine that will power you through your entire day. 

1. Wake up early

Set your alarm early enough that it will give you time to workout, shower, meditate, or maybe even do some early house chores that will make your evening easier. You will have to decide how much time you will need. 

For example, if you have to be at work by 8 am, and have a 30-minute commute, work backward from 7:30 am and determine the amount of time to complete each activity. Here is an example:

• 8:30 am: arrive at work

• 7:50 am: leave for work

• 7:15 am: shower, hair, dress, etc.

• 7:10 am: move clothes to the dryer

• 7:00 am: eat breakfast

• 6:40 am: prepare breakfast

• 6:10 am: workout

• 6:00 am: start a load of laundry

• 5:35 am: 15-minute meditation

• 5:30 am: wake up

Of course, this schedule will look different for everyone and there’s no right or wrong way to do this. You can play around with this schedule until you find one that works well for you. 

2. Wait 5-10 minutes before you check your phone 

It’s no secret that most of us are totally addicted to our phones. Think about how powerful it is to give our attention away first thing in the morning to the outside world. We’re immediately plugging into the news, social media, and tasks before we even check in with ourselves and connect to our own breath. 

Waiting 5-10 minutes before checking your phone trains your brain that you matter – that you are worthy of taking time for yourself, before reaching over and getting sucked into technology immediately. 

Consider taking these few minutes to set an intention for the day, focus on your breath, start a gratitude practice, or write down a few things that you’re proud of yourself for. 

3. Do something that makes you happy 

Oftentimes, we wait to “reward” ourselves with joy until we do something to deserve it. What if you started your day with something that makes you happy? A delicious cup of coffee that you actually take the time to savor. A hug with a loved one where you’re present in the moment. Listening to your favorite song and dancing for 2 minutes. You can set the tone and create the energy you want to bring into your day.

4. Go to bed earlier :) 

I know it’s been said time and time again, but sleep is truly so important. If you are going to wake up earlier, you’ll need to go to sleep earlier to ensure you get enough sleep. Most people need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, so plan an earlier bedtime. It might require extra prep beforehand, but eventually, it will become your routine and you’ll get in the rhythm. 

Try reading before bed, drinking a nice cup of chamomile tea, or consider getting a melatonin spray like this one to help you catch some zzz’s. 

*** Before trying any new supplements (e.g., melatonin), be sure to check in with your doctor.

5. Just do one small thing at a time 

It’s understandable if you lean towards an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to morning routines. But remember that it’s better to do one small thing than nothing at all. Life gets in the way, and there will be days when it’s not feasible for you to have the solid morning routine you’d like to. So on the days where it is feasible, do your best to set yourself up for success. Do what you can, and please don’t beat yourself up when you don’t have the perfect morning. You’re human and you’re doing your best!