This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details..

Do you often wake up feeling groggy, irritated, rushed, and/or tired? If so, then you may benefit from a morning routine! As I’ve mentioned before, morning routines are ultra important because they set the tone for your entire day! So, if you want to have better mornings but aren’t sure where to start, here are 21 morning routine ideas to start your day off right.

21 Morning Routine Ideas Pinterest pin naturalblackvegan.com

#1 Wake Up Early

Stop. Hitting. Snooze. Girl, I know it can be hard, but train your body to wake up early. Luckily, I have an early internal clock, so I’m up at 5 every day, but if you don’t, you can train your mind and body to do so. Waking up early gives you so much more time to be productive, and it stops you from being rushed. When you wake up earlier, you can take your time with the rest of your routine. So, if you can, add this habit to your morning routine.

#2 Make Your Bed

Make your bed every day. Not only does it set the tone for the day, it tells your brain that you are awake, done resting, and ready to be productive. Also, you can check something off of your to-do list right away. Win-win!

#3 Pray

I always start my day with prayer. I 100% believe that prayer changes things, and I enjoy talking to God first thing in the morning. Starting my day with prayer makes me feel happier and provides me with the guidance I need for the day. 10/10 recommend starting the day with prayer!

#4 Journal

It’s not a Natural Black Vegan post if I don’t mention journaling! Journaling is good for self-care, prayer, meditation, gratitude, reflection, self-discovery, life planning, intention setting, and more. And doing it in the morning is my favorite! Again, it sets the tone for the day and adds a little bit of peace, self-reflection, and gratitude to the beginning of your day. Try it for yourself!

#5 Meditate

Meditation has so many benefits, including reducing anxiety, increasing happiness, and helping with manifesting. And guess what? Anybody can meditate! You don’t need to be a certain religion or culture or have some level of expertise. And you can even start with 5 minutes of your morning. As with any new habit, it’s hard to get started, but I’m telling you: it’s worth it. If you want to experience a new level of peace, calmness, and self-awareness, try meditating.

woman stretching in bed

#6 Stretch

There are many benefits to stretching first thing in the morning. It relieves tension in your muscles, promotes blood flow throughout your body, and prepares your body to get up and get moving. So if it does all of this, why not take a few minutes to add it into your morning routine? You can even stretch while still in bed!

#7 Practice Gratitude

Personally, I believe that gratitude is the key to a happy life, so I like to begin my morning by thanking God and thinking of 5 things that I am grateful for. It can be as deep as being thankful for waking up or as simple as being thankful for coffee! But, if you start your morning by thinking positive thoughts, it sets the tone for a positive day. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you can even make a list in your journal of things you are grateful for!

#8 Skincare Routine

I think we can all agree that skincare is very important, but when I get rushed and busy, it is one of the first things I neglect. (Don’t judge me) So, if you have the time, I strongly suggest adding a skincare routine into your mornings. Everyone’s skincare is different, but I will link a few of my favorite products below. #1 Tip: Don’t forget sunscreen!

#9 Hydrate Before You Caffeinate

I love my morning brew just as much as the next girl, but before reaching for that cup of joe or caffeinated tea, drink water first! After all of those hours of sleeping, your body is dehydrated. She is thirsty! And our favorite caffeinated beverages are diuretics, which cause us to lose even more water. Therefore, we should hydrate before we caffeinate. I like to just keep a bottle of water next to my bed so I reach for it right away. This is a habit everyone can do. As a matter of fact, take a swig of water right now, just for good measure.

#10 Set Your Intentions for the Day

One of my goals for 2021 was to be more intentional. And of course, I like to do that right away each morning by setting my intentions for the day. What do I want this day to hold? How am I going to feel today? What are my desired outcomes? How will I make space for these feelings and outcomes to come manifest today? Answering those questions helps you create your day. These intentions are like the driving force behind your actions. They are your plan! If you’re new to setting intentions, try it out, and tell me how you like it!

woman in denim jacket writing in a notebook with a cup of coffee nearby

#11 Make Your Space Smell Nice

I am a sucker for good smells! I love perfume, candles, essential oils, incense…you name it! And I believe it is an act of self-care to make your environment smell good. Scientifically, pleasant smells can even cause you to feel positive emotions or evoke positive memories. So, another way to set the tone for a positive way is to make your space smell good.

#12 Listen to/Say Positive Affirmations

I LOVE affirmations! Hearing and repeating them really helps reprogram the mind. Positive affirmations can help boost mood, improve confidence, and manifest your desires. There are amazing YouTube videos and blog posts with affirmations for you, or you can think of/write your own. Words have power, so use that power to create positive change in your life.

#13 Read Something Inspiring or Motivating

Once again, words have power, and they heavily influence our thoughts. So, why not make time in your morning routine for uplifting words? This can be as simple as reading a daily affirmation, devotional, or scripture or just taking the time to read a couple of pages of your favorite book! Filling your mind with positivity as soon as you wake up is the key.

#14 Listen to a Podcast or Your Favorite Music

I love listening to music and/or podcasts in the morning! Sometimes, I need hype music. Sometimes, I need gospel. Sometimes, I just need to hear words of wisdom. Either way, I’m usually wearing headphones as I’m packing my lunch, doing my skincare routine, styling my hair, brushing my teeth, and doing my makeup. Especially if you live alone, jamming to your favorite songs is a great way to get pumped for the day!

#15 Talk to/Text Friends or Family

I know this habit doesn’t work for everyone, but if you can, talk to someone you love and care for in the morning. Before I interact with coworkers, I love to talk to my mom and sister. They care about how my morning is going and how I slept, and usually, they make me laugh before 7 a.m.! So if you can, I definitely recommend talking to a loved one in the morning!

woman in bed reading a book

#16 Eat a Healthy Breakfast

You know the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. And I stand by it! Eating a healthy breakfast fuels your day ahead! I love a good smoothie, protein shake, parfait, or breakfast sandwich, and these healthy foods give me the energy I need to conquer my day! And if you are short on time, things like banana muffins or overnight oats can be prepared ahead of time, so NO EXCUSES!

#17 Take Your Vitamins

I still struggle with making this a habit, but I still recommend taking your vitamins in the morning. Some vitamins, like B vitamins stimulate the brain, so it only makes since to take them in the morning before starting your day. And if you’re someone that gets nauseous after taking vitamins, try taking them after breakfast. What vitamins do you have in your stash?

#18 Get Some Sun

Getting sunlight is super important for health, especially in people with deeper skin tones. It provides us with Vitamin D and is even shown to make us happier. I know that in the Winter months, it’s nearly impossible to get sunlight in the morning, but now that the season is changing, there is no excuse! So open up the blinds or just step outside to take a deep breath. Oh! And most importantly, don’t forget your sunscreen!

#19 Tidy Up Your Space

If you’re anything like me, after finding an outfit, doing my makeup, styling my hair, and making breakfast, my space is a mess! So, I always leave a little extra time in my morning routine to tidy up a bit. I don’t like to leave for work with a giant mess, so I dedicate 10 minutes or so to cleaning up my bedroom and bathroom. Plus, it’s a little more relaxing when you get home to have everything done already.

#20 Check Your To-Do List

You can’t begin your day if you don’t have your priorities together! Even though work and errands aren’t always the most fun, they are important, so be sure to check your calendar, agenda, emails, or to-do list before getting too deep into your day.

#21 Put On an Outfit that Makes You Feel Good

We’re almost at the end here! Pick out an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident! If you’re working from home still, this may include a cute and comfy pair of sweats. If you’re back at work, find something that’s professional but still cute! You should look in the mirror and feel like THAT GIRL! EVERY DAY!

Each day is a new opportunity for a fresh start. Make it a positive and productive one by creating your own morning routine. Which of these ideas can you add into your morning? Comment down below, and share this post to your favorite social media platforms!

21 Morning Routine Ideas List Pinterest pin naturalblackvegan.com
naturalblackvegan