5 Secrets for a Better Daily Routine

Once I had kids everything changed. Late nights were common and getting up early to prepare for the day was overcome by physical exhaustion.

Have you ever felt that way? Exhausted even before the day starts?

I’ve been there. Many…many…times…

But I’ve changed some things and my energy levels are up, and I feel more focused. And beloved reader, I want the same for you. If you’ve ever felt yourself worn out from motherhood, you’ll love what I’m sharing here. These are my 5 Secrets for a Better Daily Routine.

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Encouragement for Moms

So, from one mom to another, I’m sharing my secrets for greater energy and peace during the day.

1. Go to bed on time. I realize not everyone is an early riser. But staying up late, night after night, wrecks havoc on your body. The reason —> serotonin. Your body starts producing Serotonin during the same window of time every 24 hours. For most people, that’s somewhere between 9 and 10 PM at night. If you miss that window, you can’t catch the opportunity again until 24 hours later. For serotonin production to kick in, you need to be winding down and either in bed or nearly in bed to take advantage of optimum levels of Serotonin production. 
2. Take 6 Steps to a Better Morning and Create a life-giving morning routine. I don’t know about you, but once my kids are up it’s hard to get certain things done – like having a few moments of peace to myself. If I can be up at least an hour before my kids, the entire day runs more smoothly and I’m a happier mommy. Why am I happier? Because I give some time to myself to take care of me. Yep. If I don’t do it no one else will. I’ve crafted my morning routine around a method known as “The Miracle Morning”. The term is coined by author and well known speaker Hal Roen. If you’d like to start your own Miracle Morning, keep reading. I’m sharing 6 Steps to a Better Morning with this post. 
   
3. Stay connected. I think that as moms, it’s so easy to isolate ourselves by “nesting” with our kids. But we need community and we need friends and other moms to rejuvenate us and encourage us. If you feel like a raft set adrift in the ocean, reach out to friends, neighbors or your local church. Mothering is a tough job and it’s hard to do it alone. Now, my spouse is a tremendous husband and dad, but it’s the women who are walking alongside me on a similar path that help me through.
4. Let go. Before I had kids I’d make a list of 25 things to do each day and I’d get more than half of them done. Now I make a list of 5 things and I’m thrilled if I can get three things done. Mothering means I have to pace myself and things that I want to accomplish can still happen, they just happen at a much slower pace. Something that could be finished in a week, may take a month or two now. I’ve let go of controlling everything and have surrendered to the fact that my time is not my time anymore. My family needs me and I just have to pace myself so I don’t burn out trying to do too much at once.
5. Explore the wonder. When was the last time you squished grass between your toes, or looked for a constellation in the starry night sky? Not sure how to explore the wonder? Take the hand of a child and go for a walk outside. My kids are always seeing the things I don’t see. There is something about smelling a flower, or catching a lady bug that lifts my spirits and lets me see the goodness of the world.

A Life-giving Morning Routine

As I mentioned, one of the key things that’s helped me have greater focus during my day starts with my morning routine.

My morning routine starts with quiet time, followed by reading, journaling and exercise. I also start my day with coffee, and you might notice my Simply Pure coffee creamer. I’m partial to vanilla. I love this new creamer because it’s made from 5 simple ingredients. There’s real milk, cream, and sugar in three simply delicious flavors: Vanilla, Caramel and Hazelnut. Taking out the time to get up early and enjoy a cup of coffee is one of the high points of my day. 

Greater Focus in Six Easy Steps

Through the 6 Steps to a Better Morning that I’ve outlined below, I feel like I have greater purpose and a plan for each day. And it helps me tremendously with my roles as a wife and mom. I think it would be helpful to anyone who feels a bit overwhelmed at times. I know I often feel that way.

6 Steps to a Better Morning

• 1. Quiet Time: Before you get out of bed, spend a few moments in meditation or prayer with a mindfulness of a new day. I like to spend a few minutes thinking of all the things I’m thankful for.
• 2. Exercise: I start my day with a cup of coffee. While it’ brewing I do jumping jacks in the kitchen to get my blood flowing. It’s also a great time to stretch.
• 3. Devotions: I’m always encouraged by reading scripture. I pull up my daily devotional on my laptop for a little inspiration each day. You may also find encouragement from daily affirmations.
• 4. Reading: Spend some time reading the bible or a book that enriches your personal development.
• 5. Visualization: What are your goals and how can you make your way towards those goals today? Envision the whole picture and the steps needed to get there.
• 6. Journaling: Write down whatever is on your mind. It can be thoughts from your devotional, prayer requests, WINS, accomplishments and/or concerns. Maybe even a “to do” list to help you plan your day.

Free Printable

If you enjoy beautiful memes and snapshots of inspiration, I’ve created a printable that acts as a reminder for the 6 Steps to a better Morning. Feel free to print it out and keep it handy for review in the mornings. I also highly recommend Hal’s book: “The Miracle Morning”.

So if lived nearby, I’d have you over for coffee. We could chat and trade stories about our kids and I could share some of my highlights from my morning journal with you. I’d like to see your highlights too.

Here’s to better mornings.

Where can you find Simply Pure Coffee Creamer

You can find everything you see here at Walmart. You’ll find Simply Pure Coffee Creamer in the dairy case. You can learn more about the International Delight Coffee Creamers on their web site. You can explore and shop Walmart online at Walmart.com. And, my blogging friends are sharing their lifestyle hacks on the Simply Pure Social Hub. Check out all the great ideas!

How do you start your day?

Do you have any tips to share that may help others with their morning routines? What types of things do you to stay focused and keep your day under control?  Please share your hard won wisdom with us! I always love hearing form my readers. Thanks for being a fan!

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