Morning rituals can help focus your day in a healthy way

pouring coffee

We all have routines and tasks that we do to start the day. Mine has changed and transformed over the years, due to jobs and different places I’ve lived. It made me wonder: Do I have daily rituals, or a daily routine, and is there a difference? I think there is. The difference between a daily ritual and a routine is how you think about it—how you view your actions. Are they mundane chores that just need to be completed? Or are they actions that bring meaning or joy into your life? It’s all about your mindset. 

A daily routine is a series of tasks that you complete every morning in the same order. For example: getting up, making coffee and having breakfast, brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and going to work. So often a routine can feel mundane because it’s something you have to do. So even when your routine is effective, it might not be motivating or enjoyable. It’s viewed more as a chore.

A daily ritual shares similarities to a daily routine since it is also a series of tasks that are completed in the same order. The difference is in the intention. Think of daily rituals as meaningful practices that are internally motivated and provide energy and enjoyment. One of my morning rituals is running with my partner and our dog in the morning. We’re outside by the beach, getting exercise, and bonding together. Halfway through our run, we stop at the park and search for gophers, then continue running back home. I view it as a ritual because it makes me happy. 

Another way to think of it is a ritual is a carefully selected way of doing something that has a sense of purpose and a positive side effect in addition to completing a task. 

There’s a balance to be found with routine and ritual. We’ll always have routines that we need to do. But there’s a lot of value in finding routines that we can turn into rituals for the benefit of a better day. 

Here’s a list of morning rituals that will help you start your day:

  • Wake up early
  • Make your bed
  • Meditate
  • Exercise
  • Set an intention
  • Have a healthy breakfast
  • Plan your day
  • Practice gratitude
  • Schedule tasks on the calendar
  • Visualize future achievements
  • Drink water
  • Practice self-care and mindfulness
  • Journal

The above is by no means a complete list, and there certainly might be some things there that don’t speak to you. Think about what makes you happy and energized. If it’s physical activity, then maybe you should start your day off at the gym. Or you might like starting your day off by reflecting—journaling in the morning would be a great morning ritual. Think about what fills your cup so whatever your new rituals are, they will have more meaning. 

Morning rituals can make the difference between a good morning and a great morning. Your productivity and mindset begin when you wake up, so having meaningful rituals are essential for a happy, successful day. Pour that cup of coffee and enjoy exploring and trying out different rituals to inspire the new day.