Your morning routine sets the tone for the day. If you want yours to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more satisfying, making some changes to your morning routine could help you do that.

So why is switching from “waking up and scrolling Instagram for an hour” so much better to starting your day with journaling, exercising, or reading? Many health experts, entrepreneurs and influencers the world over highly recommend a structured start to your day.

Creating a morning routine is not focused on who can accomplish the most or check off more boxes than everyone else, it is about allowing yourself to begin your day with confidence, peace, and a positive attitude.

It improves your self-discipline. By sticking with a routine in the morning, you’ll find yourself having better discipline in other things in your life, like exercise, study habits, etc.

Getting up 1-2 hours earlier so you have time to complete this new morning routine helps you take advantage of an extremely productive time. Those hours right after you wake up are great for putting your focus on something you care about, whether that’s writing a novel, doing yoga, or doing some extra studying.

Extra time in the morning to prepare for the day and do something you enjoy is also a big stress releiver. Instead of rushing out the door underfed and underprepared, you can take the time to really set yourself up for success.

Think about everything in your life that would improve if you were less stressed. Your relationships, your health, your studies, and even your focus on your career after school. Taking time to prioritize a morning routine can help you strengthen your everyday life.

So what should be part of your morning routine? It really depends on what you enjoy and your goals! Consider these options:

• Exercise. Could be a 15 minute yoga stretching video, a jog, or any favorite work out.
• Read or watch the news. Take the time to stay updated on what’s happening in the world around you.
• Work on a personal project. Write a novel, plan out your eventual startup, or spend time on a craft project you’ve been working on.
• Make a nice breakfast and/or lunch. Take time to nourish your body so you have the energy to keep going all day long.
• Write in a journal. Experts across industries recomend daily journaling to stay in touch with you stress, goals, intentions, and emotions. If you’ve struggled with journaling in the past, try a bullet journal.

It may take some time to get used to your new routine. Start by making a plan the night before and setting up as much as you can, so you don’t have to spend your time looking for your journal or picking out exercise clothes.

If waking up at 5am doesn’t work for you, you can alter your morning routine to fit your schedule. Maybe you don’t have time for a full two-hour exercise and journaling session. But try giving yourself 30 minutes to stretch, meditate, and drink some water. Even a few extra minutes to set up your day from a place of calm can make a big difference in your overall stress and success.