Your mornings and evenings are essential. They are the times that are strictly yours before the day’s obligations and responsibilities start demanding your attention. For this reason, you need some morning and evening routine ideas to help you make the most of these precious time slots.
But what are the best habits to try?
After all, you don’t want to just throw together some random habit list. You want to engage in a routine that’s healthy, productive, and puts you in the right frame of mind. And luckily, I’ve got you covered on all fronts.
Keep reading to learn 6 morning and evening routine ideas to incorporate into your life.
Suggestions for Your Morning and Evening Routine Ideas
These are healthy and productive routines.
Moreover, they are rituals I adhere to every day, so I know they work. You can mix and match them as you see fit. Maybe you’ll want to have some for the evening and others for the morning. Or perhaps you want to swap some of these ideas for some of your own that aren’t on this list.
The idea is to do what works for you, but with that said, here are my top 10 morning and evening routine ideas.
1. Read
Reading is a great habit.
It’s good for your mind, it relaxes you, and all that’s required is a book and a quiet place. Word of advice here, try to opt for an actual physical book rather than an audiobook. While there’s nothing wrong with audiobooks (I, myself, enjoy listening to them regularly), it’s much better—at least in my opinion—to get away from your phone when you can.
That’s part of what adds to the appeal of reading.
2. Workout
Few things are better to bookend your days with than a quick workout.
Exercise is great at both ends of the spectrum: If you’re a morning person, running on the treadmill or lifting weights in the gym first thing in the morning will get your day started on the right foot. Conversely, if you’re more of a night owl, a quick workout session in the evening can help tire you out and prepare you for a good night’s rest.
Either way, you can’t lose by incorporating exercise into your routine.
3. Journal
Journalling is the perfect reflection habit.
It gives way to introspection and self-analysis that help you improve certain areas of your life. Moreover, it can also act as a reminder of what you’re focusing on and trying to accomplish. And best times to journal (in my opinion) are in the morning and evening.
I personally, enjoy journaling in the evening right before bed.
This process gives me the opportunity to reflect on my day and document the progress I’ve made toward my goals. Additionally, it helps me to vent any frustrations I may be experiencing, which in turn, allows me to feel better about myself by relieving my stresses, vexations, and disappointments.
4. Meditate
Meditation is connected to peace and tranquility. This fact suggests that a regular meditation practice can be great for an evening routine to help unwind after a long day. Moreover, studies have also suggested that meditation can help boost focus and concentration.
Consequently, meditation can be a great habit to start your day with as well. God knows we all need more focus in our lives, given the onslaught of unrelenting distractions. And the research suggests that mediation may be an effective way to gain that focus.
5. Affirmations
Many people believe affirmations to be some “woo-hoo,” self-help hyperbole. Fair enough. We’re all entitled to our opinions. However, before you pass on this as some kind of personal development pseudo-science, just try it.
You’ll be surprised at how this sets the proper tone for your day. The reason being is that we humans learn through repetition. When something is continually repeated for long enough, you eventually start to accept it as fact.
That’s why affirmations can be so powerful. You can reaffirm to yourself things such as:
- Your goals and objectives
- Qualities or character traits you want to develop
- Beliefs you want to adopt, etc
For me, I recorded my voice on my smartphone, clearly speaking out loud my positive affirmations. So now, when I wake up in the morning or before I retire at night, I simply play the recording and listen to my own voice speaking my desired affirmations.
It’s a great strategy to affirm the things that are important in your life. Give it a try!
6. Jump in a Cold Shower
This habit may seem unorthodox, but once you start it, you won’t look back.
There are many benefits to cold showers: They can strengthen your immune system, make you alert and energized, and can even help improve skin and hair quality. However, due to its stimulating effects on the body, this is a habit that’s best suited for the morning. An evening cold shower may just leave you feeling wired and unable to fall asleep as a result.
I’ve been taking daily cold showers for over two years, and it’s one of the best self-improvement habits I’ve adopted.
It shocks your system, clears your thinking, and awakens you so that you’re ready to take on the day! In fact, cold showers (in my opinion) are among some of the best habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle. Once you do, you’ll find your days flow better, challenges don’t throw you off as much, and you just feel better and more self-confident all around.
Try it for one week (minimum), and you’ll be hooked by the benefits!
Improving Your Life with the Proper Morning and Evening Routines
It’s not what you do every now and then that makes a difference in your life; it’s what you do every day on a consistent and regular basis. For this reason, establishing the right habits and routines is essential for living a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle. So be sure that you put in the effort to cultivate quality habits in your life.
