7 Calming Morning Routines to Help You Form New Habits (Transform Today)

Starting your day off right can set a positive tone for everything that follows. A calm morning routine helps create good habits and reduce stress.
Establishing calming morning rituals allows you to begin each day with intention and mindfulness.
Simple practices like meditation, gentle stretching, or enjoying a cup of tea can make a big difference. These routines provide a foundation for forming other healthy habits throughout your day.
1) Meditation With Headspace
Headspace is a popular meditation app that offers guided sessions for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. It provides a simple way to start each day with mindfulness and calm.
Users can choose from various meditation lengths, typically ranging from 3 to 20 minutes. This flexibility allows people to fit meditation into their morning routine, no matter how busy they are.
The app features a soothing voice that guides users through breathing exercises and visualization techniques. These practices help reduce stress and increase focus for the day ahead.
Headspace offers themed meditation series targeting specific goals like better sleep, reduced anxiety, or improved productivity. Users can select a series that aligns with their personal objectives.
The app tracks progress and sends gentle reminders to encourage consistent practice. This feature helps users build a lasting meditation habit over time.
Many people find that using Headspace in the morning sets a positive tone for the rest of their day. It can lead to improved mood, clearer thinking, and better emotional regulation.
2) Yoga with Adriene’s YouTube Channel
Yoga with Adriene is a popular YouTube channel for morning yoga routines. It offers a wide range of videos suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Adriene Mishler, the channel’s host, provides clear instructions and a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Her videos range from short 5-minute sessions to longer 30-minute practices.
Many of Adriene’s videos focus on specific themes or goals. These include stress relief, energy boost, and flexibility improvement. This variety allows viewers to choose a routine that fits their needs each day.
The channel’s “30 Days of Yoga” series is particularly helpful for building a consistent practice. It provides a structured plan for incorporating yoga into daily life.
Adriene’s gentle approach and emphasis on self-care make her videos ideal for a calming morning routine. She encourages viewers to listen to their bodies and modify poses as needed.
Starting the day with Yoga with Adriene can help set a positive tone for the hours ahead. It allows for a peaceful transition from sleep to wakefulness, promoting physical and mental well-being.
3) Journaling With The Five Minute Journal
The Five Minute Journal is a quick and easy way to start a journaling habit. This simple tool helps people focus on gratitude and positivity each day.
Users write in the journal twice daily. In the morning, they jot down three things they’re grateful for. They also list three things that would make the day great.
At night, people reflect on three amazing things that happened. They also consider how they could have made the day even better.
The Five Minute Journal uses prompts to guide the writing process. These prompts make it easy to get started, even for those new to journaling.
Regular use of this journal can boost mood and increase happiness. It helps people notice the good things in life, big and small.
The journal’s structure makes it a perfect fit for busy mornings. It takes just a few minutes to complete, making it easy to stick with.
By using The Five Minute Journal, people can create a positive mindset to start their day. This simple practice can lead to lasting changes in outlook and habits.
4) Affirmations using Louise Hay’s positive affirmations
Louise Hay was a motivational author known for her work with positive affirmations. She believed in the power of words to shape our thoughts and lives.
Hay created many affirmations to promote self-love and healing. Some popular ones include “I love and approve of myself” and “I am willing to change and grow.”
To use these affirmations as part of a morning routine, choose ones that resonate with you. Say them out loud while looking in a mirror or write them down in a journal.
Repeat your chosen affirmations several times each morning. This practice can help set a positive tone for the day ahead.
Over time, using affirmations may help build self-confidence and change negative thought patterns. Many people find they feel calmer and more centered after doing this exercise.
Remember, consistency is key when working with affirmations. Make them a regular part of your morning to see the most benefit.
5) Breathing Exercises By Wim Hof
Wim Hof is known for his breathing method that can help start the day with focus and energy. His technique involves taking deep breaths and holding them for short periods.
To begin, sit in a comfortable position. Take 30 to 40 deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
After the last exhale, hold the breath for as long as possible. When you need to breathe, take a deep breath and hold it for 15 seconds. Repeat this cycle 3 to 4 times.
The Wim Hof method may increase energy levels and reduce stress. Some people report feeling more alert and calm after doing these exercises.
It’s best to do this breathing routine on an empty stomach, ideally first thing in the morning. Start with just a few minutes and slowly increase the time as you get used to it.
Always listen to your body during these exercises. If you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, stop and return to normal breathing.
6) Reading ‘The Miracle Morning’ by Hal Elrod
‘The Miracle Morning’ is a book that teaches a set of morning habits. These habits can help people start their day in a positive way.
The book recommends waking up early and doing six key activities. These are silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing.
Hal Elrod suggests doing these activities for about 10 minutes each. This adds up to an hour-long morning routine.
The book explains how these habits can improve different areas of life. It covers topics like health, happiness, and success.
Many readers say the book has helped them form new routines. They report feeling more energized and focused throughout the day.
The ideas in the book can be adapted to fit different schedules. Even people who are not early risers can benefit from the concepts.
Reading this book can inspire new morning habits. It provides a framework for creating a calming and productive start to the day.
7) Gratitude Practice with ‘The Gratitude Diaries’ by Janice Kaplan
Janice Kaplan’s book ‘The Gratitude Diaries’ offers a great way to start a morning gratitude practice. The author spent a year focusing on thankfulness and saw positive changes in her life.
Readers can use Kaplan’s ideas to create their own gratitude routine. Each morning, they can write down three things they’re thankful for in a journal. This simple act can shift their mindset to focus on the good things in life.
Kaplan suggests being specific with gratitude. Instead of just saying “I’m grateful for my family,” people can write about a nice thing a family member did recently. This helps make the gratitude feel more real and meaningful.
The book also talks about expressing thanks to others. As part of a morning routine, people can plan to tell someone they’re grateful for them that day. This can improve relationships and spread positivity.
Practicing gratitude like this can lead to feeling happier and more content. It’s a easy way to start the day on a positive note and form a helpful new habit.
Building A Consistent Routine
Creating a steady morning routine helps form lasting habits. It takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. A regular routine can boost your mood and productivity for the whole day.
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is key to making new habits stick. When you do something every day, it becomes automatic. Your brain forms new pathways, making the habit easier over time.
Routine reduces decision fatigue. You don’t have to think about what to do each morning. This frees up mental energy for other tasks.
A consistent routine can also lower stress. Knowing what to expect each day creates a sense of calm and control. This can improve your overall well-being.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Starting a new routine isn’t always easy. Here are some tips to help:
- Start small: Begin with one or two new habits at a time
- Set reminders: Use phone alarms or sticky notes
- Prepare the night before: Lay out clothes or pack your bag
- Be patient: It takes time for habits to form
Don’t give up if you miss a day. Just get back on track the next morning. Remember, progress is more important than perfection.
If you struggle with motivation, try linking new habits to things you already do. For example, do stretches while your coffee brews. This makes it easier to remember and stick to your new routine.
Mindfulness Practices In The Morning
Starting your day with mindfulness can set a positive tone and help create new habits. These practices promote calmness and self-awareness, supporting personal growth and well-being.
Incorporating Meditation into Your Routine
Meditation is a powerful tool for morning mindfulness. Begin with just 5-10 minutes of sitting quietly and focusing on your breath. Find a comfortable spot in your home where you won’t be disturbed.
Set a timer to avoid checking the clock. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing. When thoughts arise, gently return your focus to your breath.
Try guided meditations using apps or videos if you’re new to the practice. These can help you stay focused and learn different techniques.
Consistency is key. Aim to meditate at the same time each morning to build a lasting habit.
Benefits of Journaling for Habit Formation
Morning journaling can boost self-awareness and help form new habits. Keep a notebook and pen by your bed for easy access.
Start by writing three things you’re grateful for each day. This simple act can shift your mindset to a more positive outlook.
Set intentions for your day. Write down your goals and the steps you’ll take to achieve them. This process helps clarify your priorities and motivates action.
Reflect on your progress with new habits. Note any challenges you face and brainstorm solutions. Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
Try different journaling prompts to keep the practice fresh. Some ideas include writing about your dreams, listing personal strengths, or exploring future goals.