Tips for Busy Moms to Improve Their Mornings
Let's be real, the 'wake up at 4 am and meditate' routine isn't for everyone. This episode and blog share practical tips to create a morning routine that fits your life.
What you get from this episode
Discover simple and realistic morning routine tips: Learn practical strategies for starting your day off right, even if you only have a few minutes to spare.
Say goodbye to chaotic mornings: Find actionable steps to create a more peaceful and productive start to your day.
Gain inspiration from real people: Learn from the experiences and insights from us and Reddit users who have successfully implemented their own morning routines.
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Forget the "CEO Morning Routine": Realistic Tips for Starting Your Day Right
As an avid LinkedIn user, I often see posts titled "How CEOs Start Their Day" or "Highly Productive People Do ***This*** Every Morning."
And as an avid LinkedIn user, these posts tick me off.
The problem with posts like these is that they are completely unrealistic. Normal people (like you and me) can't sit in their home sauna and contemplate the meaning of life. "Getting up an hour earlier to have morning coffee in peace" sounds great, but if you're already getting up at 5 a.m. to get everyone out the door, you really don't want to get up any earlier (and you shouldn't have to, TBH).
With that in mind, I went to Reddit, one of my favorite spaces on the internet, to find easy morning routine tips for busy moms.
If you have 5 Extra minutes…
Greet your person/people (hugs are excellent if you can get them!)
Greet your pet/let your pet out
Go potty
Take meds
“I drink a good glass of water in complete silence” —hiddencurl
Brush your teeth
Splash some water on your face
I do this with Avene Thermal Spring Water spray… it takes 2 seconds and feels really luxurious without being a complete pain
A few deep breaths
If you have 15 extra minutes…
All of the above, and choose one of these…
Morning affirmation
Open the blinds/curtains
Make your bed (early sense of accomplishment!)
I like to do this while I’m still in it—it’s easier, I promise!
Have an easy breakfast
Get your daily to-do list together >>
Personally, I recommend doing this before you leave/end work the day before so you don’t forget anything.
I DO keep sticky notes readily available in case an idea/task occurs to me after I walk away from my desk and I need to remember it for later. Then I stick that note on my keyboard for the morning.
If you have 30 extra minutes…
Consider adding on one or two of these…
A 5-minute stretch
Listen to a loved podcast or playlist
Moment(s) of meditation/prayer/gratitude
Defrost protein for dinner later
“I like to lay out my comfy clothes that I’m going to put on at the end of the day in a nice way. Something about choosing the items and visually seeing the clothes laid out gives me something to look forward to and work toward throughout the day.” —dinglebear_
If you have 45 extra minutes or more…
Lucky duck! You might feel good about adding in a few of these...
Exercise
Tidy/clean up one small thing (this feels amazing to come home to!)
Unload the dishwasher and put all of the dry things away... and put the wet stuff on the dishrack to dry and put away later
Start/move a load of laundry. When time is limited, you can wash a load overnight and move it to the dryer in the morning.
Enjoy a shower
“Savor my beverage of choice while journaling.” —Automatic_Parsley833
Some other tips for starting your day off on the right foot
Create playlists that are the same length as the amount of time you have. Program your AI devices to be able to play them and start them right when you wake up. As in, Hey Betty, play my 45-minute playlist, etc.
“I take away all my decisions as much as I can. Breakfast is planned (mine is ready to go because I eat at work). I have my outfit picked. And then when I wake up I have time to stretch and do something I love for 10 min. Word games. Geography quiz. Something that makes me happy.” —BrokenPenzils
“I like to prep the night before by wiping down my kitchen and starting the dishwasher so my morning cup of coffee isn’t stressful and cluttered.” —CompetitiveSoup4383
“I’m not a morning person and it takes me a while to adjust to bright lights and noise. So while I’m getting ready for work, I light a candle and use low lighting in the bathroom, along with playing a chill piano music station. It’s a much more peaceful way to start the day.” —Several-Emergency-26
“Hi! I have a baby so a bit different but I like our routine: Up at 7. Nappy change and feed. Go downstairs, she sits in the bouncer and watches me empty the dishwasher and clean some bits in the kitchen, make my breakfast and coffee. I love this time to clean while she happily watches. Gets us off to a good start! I feel like cleaning the kitchen in the morning cleans my head.” —eel_theboat
“‘Shower before screens’ has been my mantra for the new year.” —Easy-Platform6963
“Achieve a win of any form: could be either mental, physical or spiritual.” —superjii
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Make good choices,
Caitlin & Jenny
Sources for this episode
Reddit/SelfCare; OP: New_Coffee8836
Things you do in the morning to help set a good tone for the day? : r/selfcare
Why you should listen to us
Jenny and I are moms just like you, navigating the everyday chaos and surprises. We bring a relatable and humorous perspective to parenting, drawing on our own experiences and sharing honest, practical advice you can actually use in your own life.
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