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If you often feel stressed, rushed, or flustered in the mornings, you might need to set a morning routine. Sticking to a routine can help you manage your time wisely so you can start having a good day from the moment you wake up. Once you find a routine that works for you, don’t be afraid to change it up if you need to!

Here are 13 tips to help you create the perfect morning routine.

1

Set everything out that you need the night before.

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2

Go to sleep at a reasonable time.

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  1. When you’re a teenager, you might be tempted to stay up later, but going to bed early will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed in the morning. Turn off your electronic devices about 30 minutes before you go to sleep to fall asleep faster. [2]
    • Sleeping is an essential part of brain development in teenagers. Unfortunately, research shows that many teens aren’t getting the sleep they need, which can negatively impact physical and emotional health. [3]
    • Try to avoid drinking caffeine in the evening times, since it can keep you awake.
    • Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet for an easier time falling asleep.
3

Wake up around the same time every day.

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  1. Set your alarm for the same time every day and try to get out of bed as soon as possible. If you’re not used to waking up early, give yourself about 2 weeks to gradually set your alarm earlier and earlier each day. [4]
    • While it might sound tough, try to wake up around the same time on the weekends, too. You’ll set yourself up for a better time during the week if you don’t mess up your sleep schedule.
    • Eventually, you’ll start to naturally wake up on time. Don’t worry—it gets easier!
    • Reader Poll: We asked 986 wikiHow readers who've established a great morning routine, and 54% of them agreed that it's best to set an alarm, which can help you stick to the same daily wakeup time. [Take Poll]
    Sean Covey, Personal Development Expert

    Establishing a consistent morning routine empowers you to start each day grounded and intentional. Wake up 30-60 minutes early to hydrate, move your body, nourish your mind through reading or journaling, and anchor in gratitude. Avoid screens and distractions during this time. Instead, focus inward on your goals and vision.

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4

Try not to press snooze.

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7

Apply moisturizer to hydrate and refresh your skin.

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11

Eat a healthy breakfast.

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  1. If you aren’t feeling super hungry, try grabbing something light, like a banana or a piece of toast. Try eating oatmeal, yogurt, or fresh fruit to give yourself the boost you need for the day. [12]
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12

Get outdoors.

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13

Make adjustments to your routine if you need to.

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  1. If something isn’t working, adjust it until you’re happy. Modify your morning routine so it’s perfect for you, not anyone else. [15]
    • Maybe you need extra time after your shower to do your hair or put on your makeup. Or maybe you need to make lunches for your little siblings in the morning, too. Whatever it is, feel free to readjust your timeline as you try out your routine.
    Expert Answer
    Q

    What can I do with extra time in the morning?

    Lucy Yeh

    Career & Life Coach
    Lucy Yeh is a Human Resources Director, Recruiter, and Certified Life Coach (CLC) with over 20 years of experience. With a training background with Coaching for Life and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at InsightLA, Lucy has worked with professionals of all levels to improve the quality of their careers, personal/professional relationships, self marketing, and life balance.
    EXPERT ADVICE
    Answer from Lucy Yeh :

    Make a to-do list or plan your day out. Sit down with your planner or calendar and map out how you're going to spend your day.

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Example Morning Routine

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I start my morning routine?
    Lucy Yeh
    Career & Life Coach
    Lucy Yeh is a Human Resources Director, Recruiter, and Certified Life Coach (CLC) with over 20 years of experience. With a training background with Coaching for Life and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at InsightLA, Lucy has worked with professionals of all levels to improve the quality of their careers, personal/professional relationships, self marketing, and life balance.
    Career & Life Coach
    Expert Answer
    You wake up! Seriously though, I'd recommend scraping your tongue and brushing your teeth first. You could have a tall glass of water before some coffee first if you want to wait on the dental hygiene.
  • Question
    What should I eat for breakfast?
    Lucy Yeh
    Career & Life Coach
    Lucy Yeh is a Human Resources Director, Recruiter, and Certified Life Coach (CLC) with over 20 years of experience. With a training background with Coaching for Life and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at InsightLA, Lucy has worked with professionals of all levels to improve the quality of their careers, personal/professional relationships, self marketing, and life balance.
    Career & Life Coach
    Expert Answer
    Go with healthy foods. Get some veggies, herbs, and greens in there along with whatever else you're eating. I think a piece of fruit is a great option if you're on the go!
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      Tips

      • If you have extra time, read a book you enjoy. It’s a great way to prep your brain for the day while doing something relaxing.
      • You can all so change it up for how you are feeling even if you have changed up this one because it changes depending on your mood.

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Wake up earlier than usual so that you can have extra time to yourself to do what you love. Noisy or distracting siblings running around you like crazy will not help you relax and stick to this morning routine. If you don't have your own room, find a quite place to be on your own. If it is a nice day, go to your back garden and read. However some people like to spend some 'family time'
      • If you tend to hit the snooze button a lot, count how many times you usually hit it and then set your alarm that much earlier, just to make things less stressful when you hit snooze.
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      Reader Success Stories

      • Simone

        Dec 14, 2022

        "This helped me a lot with my morning routine! I have an alarm set for 6:00 in the morning I always sleep in till ..." more
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