The BEST Summer Morning Routine For Productivity
The best summer morning routine is one that works FOR and WITH you not against you.
There is nothing worse than creating a morning routine that is unrealistic and causes you to start your day feeling bad because you didn’t tick everything off the list.
I’m all about REALISTIC and SIMPLE routines that can easily fit into your daily life. I want you to have a really good morning every single day!
As a Mindset and Productivity Coach for perfectionists, I often help my clients come up with simple healthy habits that they can stack over time. Having a productive summer requires you to be mindful of your approach and listen to your body.
That’s why I am always preaching about mindful productivity to my clients. In this blog post, I go over the benefits of creating a summer morning routine and the top 10 things I recommend you include in your routine for ultimate productivity.
Why you should set a daily summer morning routine
Creating an intentional daily morning routine is so important for perfectionists because it provides you with a structured start to your day and a sense of control and predictability.
It’s so easy to get stuck repeating bad habits on autopilot, for example, checking your mobile phone first thing in the morning and then starting your day feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
This is why I recommend you set some time aside to actively create a morning routine that works WITH you instead of against you.
You want to hold on to as much energy as you can in the morning so that you can power through the rest of your day and get everything that you need done without feeling like your brain is foggy or your body is tired.
And besides waking up early in the summer months is amazing for your mental health and wellbeing because the sun rises earlier the weather is warmer and life just feels a little bit brighter.
Some additional benefits
- Consistency and structure of your day
- Better energy management
- Improved mental health
- A clearer more focused mind without brain fog
How does a summer routine differ from a winter routine?
You don’t necessarily need to have a separate winter and summer morning routine but if you’re someone like me who experiences mornings very differently depending on when the sun rises then I recommend you take your time to create a routine that works for you.
I like to make sure that I set morning routines that are simple and don’t require a lot of resources because I want to make sure that I can follow the routine no matter where I am or what I am doing.
For example, in the summer I like to go on holiday and day trips so I don’t want a long routine that requires me to change it whenever my schedule is disrupted.
Whereas in the winter months, I am in straight-up survival mode. I need all the resources and extras I can get to make sure that I start my day in the right mindset because I tend to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) AKA winter depression, which significantly reduces my energy. So I use resources such as a sad light which is a really bright lamp that simulates sunlight.
But anyway, your summer morning routine should be flexible, and light and incorporate as much sunshine as possible.
It’s great because you can start your day earlier in the summer and benefit from outdoor activities such as jogging, doing yoga in the park or even just going on a nice peaceful walk which is definitely less appealing in winter months.
Simple things you should do in your morning routine for summer
1. Wake up at the same time every day
The first step is probably the hardest step when it comes to getting into the rhythm of a morning routine. Waking up at the same time every day is so important because it helps regulate your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) which can improve the quality of your sleep and make it easier for you to wake up in the morning.
Studies have shown that regular sleep patterns can enhance your cognitive function, mood and overall health so this is not a step you should skip.
[Time commitment: 1 min – NO SNOOZING!]
2. Get out of bed
Actually I take back what I said earlier, THIS is the hardest step in the morning routine. I don’t know about you but I definitely struggle with getting out of bed in the morning.
I might wake up at the same time every day but I definitely do not get out of bed at the same time each day. In fact, I may even lay in bed for an additional hour because I’m so lazy.
This is a really important habit to break because snoozing your alarm can disrupt your sleep cycle and lead to grogginess throughout the day.
So I make an effort to not hit the snooze button when I wake up in the morning and I do this by saying affirmations such as:
- I am a productive disciplined person
- I will achieve success by getting out of bed and starting my day in the right mindset
- I get out of bed early because I love myself and know that it is good for me
This might sound a bit dramatic but trust me I need to say those words in the morning and maybe you do too.
[Time commitment: 1 minute – NO SNOOZING!]
3. Hydrate
I recommend filling up a water bottle the night before and leaving it on your bedside table for the morning.
This way as soon as I get out of bed and place my feet down on the floor I automatically reach for my water bottle since it’s the first thing I see.
It’s a really good habit to start to build because while you’re sleeping your body becomes dehydrated and also studies of shown that drinking water in the morning can boost your metabolism.
It’s also a good way to trigger your brain into accepting that sleepy time is over. So it’s a win-win situation with both mental and physical health benefits.
[Time commitment: 2-3 minutes]
4. Pray/meditate/gratitude
You don’t need to be religious to incorporate a spiritual or healing element into your morning routine. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress anxiety and depression as well as improve your concentration and productivity throughout the day.
So even spending five minutes on this task can make a big difference to your productivity levels.
Gratitude is one of the most powerful internal resources that you can have for yourself because its benefits improve all areas of your life. Being grateful for your opportunities and the things that you already have increases your feelings of happiness and shifts your mindset away from scarcity towards abundance.
You can practise gratitude through prayer or just saying three things that you are grateful for.
Keep it simple to start with.
[Time commitment: 5 – 10 minutes]
5. Light yoga
Starting your day with some light yoga in the morning can really help you release stored-up tension from your sleeping posture and stress from the previous day.
I got really into practising daily yoga last year after reading the book ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ (an amazing book by the way!) and it changed my life for the better.
I felt more grounded calm and connected with my mind and body just by practicing yoga for five to 15 minutes a day.
Yoga combines physical postures with breathing exercises and mindfulness which helps clear your mind and provide you with clarity and better physical health.
There’s something beautiful and freeing about being able to move around in your body comfortably so I highly recommend you incorporate this activity into your daily routine.
[Time commitment: 5 – 20 minutes]
6. Shower and get dressed
Despite what other productivity coaches may preach, I’m not going to advocate having a cold shower because I’d be a BIG hypocrite.
Even when I visit my family in hot sunny Jamaica I NEVER have a cold shower.
But you can if you want….
I just recommend you pick nice shower gels and body lotions when you are showing.
Making showering and getting dressed an intentional self-care activity rather than something you have to do to be a productive member of society can help you mentally transition from sleepy auto-pilot mode to focused mode.
It’s a great way to flip the productivity switch in your brain.
[Time commitment: 10 – 20 minutes]
7. Skincare
Taking time to complete a simple skincare routine is a practical and self-nurturing activity. Not only does it make you feel and look good, but it also protects your skin from environmental damage especially if you use SPF.
Which you should definitely be using especially in the summer!
That is a non-negotiable – I don’t care what skin colour you are and I can say that as a black woman. Everyone should wear sunscreen!
You don’t need to have a long complicated 12-step skincare regime that these beauty YouTubers promote. Just keep it simple and consistent.
I tend to use a hydrating face wash, a vitamin C serum and a moisturizing SPF lotion and it’s worked really well for my skin.
You need to find a skincare routine that works for you.
[Time commitment: 5 – 10 minutes]
8. Balanced breakfast/ smoothie
Having a balanced breakfast is a really important step when it comes to starting your day off on the right foot. You need to ensure you get the necessary nutrients and energy to fuel your body and mind throughout the day.
I recommend you plan out a simple breakfast the night before or even do it weekly because the last thing you want to be doing in the morning is scrambling around on the internet looking for a breakfast recipe. Keep it simple and easy to make.
For example, you can have porridge, overnight oats, granola, egg salad etc…
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy eating breakfast in the morning then I understand and recommend maybe trying to have a smoothie instead.
[Time commitment: 10 – 20 minutes]
9. Plan day
There’s nothing worse than running around in the morning without knowing what’s going on for the rest of your day so I recommend you take this time just to review your calendar and productivity tools such as a bullet journal or notion.
This will clear up any confusion, and enhance your productivity and organisation. I like to transfer any uncompleted tasks in my bullet journal from the previous day to the current day and then schedule those activities in my Google Calendar.
But you can use whatever system works for you, the goal is to gain clarity and direction for your day.
[Time commitment: 5 – 10 minutes]
10. Go for a morning walk
This activity is reserved for those days when you have a lot of free time in the morning so don’t jump in my inbox to tell me that my morning routine is unrealistic!
It’s for those work-from-home days and weekend days when you want to enjoy the sunshine and possibly see the sunrise.
Going for a morning walk can boost your physical and mental health because it’s a form of exercise and you can incorporate mindfulness into this activity. It’s a great way to improve your mood and absorb as much vitamin D as possible in natural light.
[Time commitment: 15 – 60 minutes]
Other activities that you might want to include:
- Reading a couple of pages from a book
- Listening to a podcast or audiobook
- Doing morning pages
- Writing in your dream journal
- Listening to a guided visualisation
- Watering your plants
- Doing a quick home workout
- Preparing a healthy lunch for later
- Mindful sketching or drawing
- Reviewing your mindful action plan
- Practising a musical instrument (hopefully not the drums so early in the morning!)
- Spending quality time with family or pets
- Enjoying a cup of tea in the garden
- Doing a quick tidy-up of your room
- Saying affirmations in the mirror
- Listening to music or an uplifting playlist
Tips for staying consistent with your morning routine
1. Be resilient
Don’t put pressure on yourself to stick to your routine 100% of the time because sometimes life happens and sometimes you don’t feel well or you oversleep or simply forget to do your routine.
You are only human so just remember to pick yourself back up if you miss a day and keep it moving. There is no point in dwelling or beating yourself up because it keeps you stuck in the shame spiral.
Just journal and make a note of the reasons why you slipped up and then learn from them and move on.
2. Habit stack
If you don’t have a morning routine currently then I recommend you start small and simple.
Don’t try and do all of your activities all at once because you’ll probably end up doing it for one week and then quit forever.
Instead, pick one activity from your routine and focus on doing that every day for a week or two. Then build in another activity in the next week and so on.
Before you know it you’ll be completing your full routine in no time!
3. Prepare the night before
Try to prepare the night before by organising your space and setting out any materials you might need to reduce decision fatigue in the morning.
For example, put out your yoga mat, group all of your smoothie materials in the fridge and make sure your water bottle is filled up.
It makes life so much easier
4. Be realistic
If you know for a fact that you are someone who hates green smoothies, don’t add making green smoothies to your morning routine.
I know that sometimes we get caught up in trying to be That Girl/Guy but what’s the point of having a morning routine that you absolutely hate?
You’re starting your day with the wrong energy just because you’re trying to be someone that you’re not.
Focus on creating a morning routine that works FOR and WITH you.
A routine that you genuinely enjoy doing gives you the energy to power through the rest of your day.
Affirmations for starting your day the right way
- I am energised and ready to tackle the day ahead
- Today, I will focus on staying true to my values
- I embrace the opportunities that today brings
- I am grateful for this new day and the chance to grow
- I am calm, centred, and in control
- I am in love with my life and excited to start my day
- I am a kind, caring and passionate person to be around
Journal prompts to help you design your perfect morning
- What are three things I am grateful for this morning?
- What activities make me feel energised and motivated?
- How can I align my morning routine with my core values?
- What is one goal I want to achieve today?
- How can I make my morning routine more enjoyable?
- What do I currently dislike about my morning routine?
- Where am I struggling to stay consistent in my morning routine?
- What song makes me feel good and can I incorporate it in a part of my routine?
- How do I feel about using ChatGPT to design my morning routine?
How are you going to start your morning?
Try to have a think about the different things you want to add to your morning routine. As I mentioned before, your morning routine should be one that works WITH you, not against you.
So don’t add activities you KNOW you’re not going to do or dislike doing.
And don’t forget to start small and keep things simple!
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