Now that you’ve become one of those 5 a.m. people, how can you make the most of your early morning? I try to keep my morning routine as productive as possible, because if I’m getting out of bed at 5 a.m., it had BETTER be worth it! Here is my super productive 5 a.m. morning routine:
5:00-5:05: Rise & shine! Open those eyes and roll out of bed
Once you hear your alarm, your feet need to be on the floor within 60 seconds. Otherwise, if you keep laying there, your mind will start thinking about how comfortable your bed is and how cold the bedroom is and how you just don’t feel like getting up this morning. Don’t fall victim to this trap!!!!
5:05-5:15: Get dressed, wash face, brush teeth
I usually try to keep this step under 7 minutes, but we all move a little slower first thing in the morning. Changing out of your sleep clothes is vital regardless of what tasks you’re planning on accomplishing that morning. Whether it’s gym clothes, loungewear, or an office-worthy outfit, changing clothes puts you in the mindset that your day has started and it’s time to get moving. Choose your outfit and lay your clothes out the night before if possible, so you’ll have one less task in the AM.
5:15-5:30: Head to the kitchen
Grab some coffee or make a light breakfast. Whatever floats your boat first thing in the morning. I know some people don’t like to eat first thing, but I always wake up hungry. And don’t forget to drink a glass of water to help wake you up & rehydrate from your long night’s rest!
On gym days:
5:30-5:50: Drink coffee while preparing gym bag or reading
I try to prepare my gym bag the night before, but if I forget then I will use this time to get everything ready. If I’m already packed and ready to go, then I will use this time to read or catch up on current events.
I always drink a full cup of coffee right before heading to the gym. I think it is the BEST pre-workout, it gives you the energy you need without the jittery pre-workout powder feel.
5:50-6:00: Drive to the gym
Listen to a podcast or plan your workout in your head to make the most out of this time!
6:00-7:30: Workout!!!
7:30-7:40: Drive home
7:40-8:00: Post workout routine
For me, it’s a protein shake and a nice, warm shower. If you’re feeling extra drained from your workout, maybe make a protein packed breakfast in lieu of a shake.
8:00-8:30: Get some reading in
I’ve been trying to read more during this quarantine as a way to relax, while also learning something. I alternate between fiction (currently reading The Guardians by John Grisham) and non-fiction (currently Atomic Habits by James Clear). Reading in the morning allows me to accomplish my goal of reading every day, even if something comes up and I end up having to work late or leave the house for the day.
8:30: Start work for the day!
Whether you’re working a 9-5 job or a side hustle, 8:30am is a fairly standard time to start your workday. Lucky for you, you’ve already accomplished so much in the hours before!
On non-gym days:
5:30-6:00: Get some reading in
Again, reading in the morning helps me accomplish my goal of reading more even if I don’t have time in the evenings. If you’re trying to build habits like this, I think it is better to knock out the task first thing in the morning when there are less distractions. If you’re not into reading, use this time to journal or work towards some other goal that you have.
6:00-7:15: Work on something for yourself
What goals did you set for this morning? What was your reason for getting out of bed? This could be getting some studying in, writing a blog post, editing a video, taking an online course, doing a virtual yoga class, pretty much anything that you struggle to find time to do during the day.
I typically use this time to either write for my blog or edit something for YouTube. 7:15am isn’t a hard stop, if you’re in the groove and feeling super productive, skip the next few tasks and ride that productivity wave.
7:15-8:00: Go for a walk
I always try to move my body in the morning, even on non-gym days. Going for an outdoor walk accomplishes 2 tasks for me – light exercise and meditation. If you have trouble staying focused during guided meditation like me (or have trouble taking it seriously), try going for a walk while listening to music instead. I find that this is a great way to clear my head and relax my mind, while also getting in some steps.
Don’t like walking around your neighborhood or stuck with a rainy day? This could easily be replaced with an online yoga class (you can find many on YouTube for free) or a stretching session.
8:00-8:30: Get ready for the day
Shower, do your hair, put a little makeup on, whatever makes you feel like you are ready to tackle the day.
8:30: Start work for the day
You’ve already accomplished so much this morning, keep the productivity going and head into your regular work day.
This is the productive 5 a.m. morning routine that I follow almost every weekday morning. It works well for me and I always feel great about the amount I’ve accomplished before most people even get out of bed. I also love being the first one in my house awake so I can have true quiet time.
The morning routine that works for me might not necessarily be perfect for you. Experiment with different routines to figure out what timeline works for you and makes you feel the most productive!
If you’re trying to wake up earlier, check out this post: https://byamandanicole.com/how-to-wake-up-at-5-a-m-every-morning/
Let me know what you try to accomplish with your early mornings!
