Energizing Your Morning Routine

Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review through BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

I don't know about you guys but between long weekends, snow days, Superbowl Sundays, and pitch-dark mornings, I've been having such a hard time getting up and going in the mornings! I'm honestly more of a morning person but these past few months have really made me question that!

So I've really had to go back to the basics of what makes my morning routines successful and start fresh! Of course, there is no "right" morning routine for everyone, but these few basics are what really help me to be motivated and energized for the day ahead of me!

Start with a glass of water

Hydration is everything. I know it sounds like bull sometimes, but it really helps! You can keep a water bottle right on your bedside table, so right in the morning you can wake-up, reach over, and hydrate right away. Your skin will thank you!

Make a list of what needs to be done

I'm an avid list maker. I have lists all over my desk, my planner, in my iPhone. However, even if you're not a list maker you should make a list of things you have to do. It's so easy to think of something in the evening and then completely forget you have to do it the next morning. My typical morning list goes along the lines of: Drink water, walk the dog, take a shower, do hair and make-up, prep lunch, go to work, read the Skimm, workout, walk the dog, cook dinner, read before bed.

Unfortunately, that's the typical! It sounds daunting but it is super nice to check things off your list! Even if you always walk the dog, write-it down. Then you can scratch it off and that's one thing already accomplished for your day!

You should also add in the small things that vary day-by-day. Like mailing a gift swap to someone, making a spare key for your dog sitter, or more.

Get moving

Even though I'm not a huge fan of the morning workouts because I often feel woozy if I don't eat before and if I do eat right before I workout I feel too full to do aerobics, I still love morning activity. I never noticed how much of a difference it made until I adopted Starla. Walking her 15-30 minutes every morning gets my heart rate up a bit higher and what really does it for me is the fresh air! No coffee can wake you up like some fresh air and a walk can. (and if you do find that kind of coffee, you should send me some!)

Freshen Up

I know a lot of people like showering at night because it gives them more time in the mornings to sleep in, check emails, etc. However I'm a huge proponent for showers in the morning! I love it because I feel fresh and like a brand-new person every morning! Even if you don't want to take the time to hop in the shower every morning, take the time for a good face wash. I use OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Cleanser. This stuff is good! You barely have to use any product for it to totally cleanse your face. I started using it about a month ago and haven't had one pimple since.

Use some tools to help promote a good morning routine

In the lovely age of apps, there are so, so many tools that can help you!

• Wake Alarm Clock. Allows you to change how long you snooze your alarm (iPhone snoozes in 9 minute intervals which is way too long for me!) and how you turn off your alarm.


• Blogilates. If you don't have a doggy to walk in the mornings like I do, Cassey has some great short workouts that you can do anywhere!


• Wunderlist. The best list app that makes it easy for you to check off tasks, categorize tasks, and share them with others too!


• The Skimm. Wake up with the best news in short, sassy spurts.


• Affirmation iPhone backgrounds. My iPhone's background says "Wild, Beautiful and Free." I love looking at it every morning.

There are a lot of different things that go into making your morning into the best day! Getting back on my routine has entirely changed my attitude when I get into work. It's definitely a work in progress but it’s all about the journey to becoming the better person I strive to be.

Are you a morning person? How do you like to start your day?