Good Morning! Set Your Home Up for a Great Start to the Day
How you begin your day can affect everything that comes after, so it's well worth establishing a good routine
Liz Durnan
23 July 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” So said children’s author Lemony Snicket.
And it’s true: whether you’re a morning person or not, how you start the day will have a knock-on effect on everything that comes after. So create rituals around your morning routine, from some refreshing stretching to a good breakfast, and set up areas of your home so that you can easily establish good habits that will get your day off to a great start.
And it’s true: whether you’re a morning person or not, how you start the day will have a knock-on effect on everything that comes after. So create rituals around your morning routine, from some refreshing stretching to a good breakfast, and set up areas of your home so that you can easily establish good habits that will get your day off to a great start.
Start as you mean to go on
Coffee, tea, orange juice, a healthy smoothie, or just a glass of water. Whatever you like to wake up to, do it well. We’ve all heard how important a good breakfast can be, but really, if you don’t feel like something heavy in the morning and prefer to stretch first, do what feels right.
On weekends though, create a routine and indulge in some relaxation. A lovely way to kick back at home is to treat yourself to a lazy breakfast in bed. If you can’t get someone else to do it for you, prepare a tray the night before so you only have to slip out of bed to put the kettle on.
Coffee, tea, orange juice, a healthy smoothie, or just a glass of water. Whatever you like to wake up to, do it well. We’ve all heard how important a good breakfast can be, but really, if you don’t feel like something heavy in the morning and prefer to stretch first, do what feels right.
On weekends though, create a routine and indulge in some relaxation. A lovely way to kick back at home is to treat yourself to a lazy breakfast in bed. If you can’t get someone else to do it for you, prepare a tray the night before so you only have to slip out of bed to put the kettle on.
Make your bed
Carve out some time in your morning routine to make your bed and tidy the area around it, clearing away cutter and hastily cast-off clothes. Air your bed before you make it.
It will only take five minutes or so and that’s one job you don’t have to think about for the rest of the day – and you’ve got a lovely made bed to get into later.
Carve out some time in your morning routine to make your bed and tidy the area around it, clearing away cutter and hastily cast-off clothes. Air your bed before you make it.
It will only take five minutes or so and that’s one job you don’t have to think about for the rest of the day – and you’ve got a lovely made bed to get into later.
You’ll have created a much more pleasant environment to wake up in too.
Why you should make your bed every day
Why you should make your bed every day
Let there be light
Light is important in setting the natural circadian rhythms that help us sleep well at night, meaning we’ll have more energy during the day. We can help this by keeping our bedrooms dark at night with heavy drapes or block-out blinds. Then, by opening up the house in the morning and filling it with natural light, we can wake up naturally. Have breakfast or take a first drink in a sunny spot.
Light is important in setting the natural circadian rhythms that help us sleep well at night, meaning we’ll have more energy during the day. We can help this by keeping our bedrooms dark at night with heavy drapes or block-out blinds. Then, by opening up the house in the morning and filling it with natural light, we can wake up naturally. Have breakfast or take a first drink in a sunny spot.
For an even better way to wake up the body, take your tea (or coffee) outside and absorb the natural light while you breathe in some fresh air. If you have a lovely eastern-facing verandah or a sunny seated area, make the effort to go outside. Even if it’s a bit chilly, just put on a jacket; a blast of cold fresh air can be just what you need to get going in the morning.
Old-fashioned favourites
It’s tempting to start the day phone in hand, scrolling through the news sites and scanning social media for juicy updates. But is this really the best way to start the day? Why not try waking up to the sound of the radio for a change?
It’s tempting to start the day phone in hand, scrolling through the news sites and scanning social media for juicy updates. But is this really the best way to start the day? Why not try waking up to the sound of the radio for a change?
Given that many of us are on computers all day, it’s a wise idea to wake up slowly and delay social media first thing, if you can.
Alarm or not
Alarm clocks can be, well, a little alarming. They’re a necessary evil if you have to get up at the crack of dawn and don’t trust your body clock. For some, the gentle radio is preferable to a shrill alarm. Or, try an old-fashioned clock for a gentler buzz. If you hate the sound of ticking or don’t like the lights on a digital clock, you can purchase non-ticking varieties or digital clocks where the numerals only light up when you press a button.
Alarm clocks can be, well, a little alarming. They’re a necessary evil if you have to get up at the crack of dawn and don’t trust your body clock. For some, the gentle radio is preferable to a shrill alarm. Or, try an old-fashioned clock for a gentler buzz. If you hate the sound of ticking or don’t like the lights on a digital clock, you can purchase non-ticking varieties or digital clocks where the numerals only light up when you press a button.
Have a stretch…
Your yoga space doesn’t have to be as lovely as this dedicated studio to serve your practice. All you really need is a space large enough to lay out a mat and a cushion, ideally with plenty of natural light. Stretching in the morning, even if it’s only for five minutes, helps to wake up the body and the mind, making it an ideal way to start the day.
See more home yoga studios
Your yoga space doesn’t have to be as lovely as this dedicated studio to serve your practice. All you really need is a space large enough to lay out a mat and a cushion, ideally with plenty of natural light. Stretching in the morning, even if it’s only for five minutes, helps to wake up the body and the mind, making it an ideal way to start the day.
See more home yoga studios
… or meditate
Again, you don’t need a space as beautiful as this (though I’m sure it helps) to focus the mind. Is there a quiet area in your home you could set up for some gentle early-morning breathing exercises? Try reserving a spot for quiet meditation, stretching or gentle exercise – whatever suits you. The important thing is setting the routine. It’s easy to say we don’t have time, but it’s possible to simply set the alarm for even fifteen minutes earlier than usual and dedicate this time for stretching or meditating.
Again, you don’t need a space as beautiful as this (though I’m sure it helps) to focus the mind. Is there a quiet area in your home you could set up for some gentle early-morning breathing exercises? Try reserving a spot for quiet meditation, stretching or gentle exercise – whatever suits you. The important thing is setting the routine. It’s easy to say we don’t have time, but it’s possible to simply set the alarm for even fifteen minutes earlier than usual and dedicate this time for stretching or meditating.
Go for a stroll (or a run)
Of course there are those of us who have lots of energy in the morning and prefer something a bit more invigorating than yoga or stretching. If that’s you, set aside some time early in the morning for a walk or run. It’s a fantastic way to start the day and if you can get your exercise out of the way early, you won’t have to think about it again for the rest of the day. And you’ll undoubtedly have more energy if you’ve started the day with a brisk walk. It can also be a great time to organise your thoughts and plan your day.
Of course there are those of us who have lots of energy in the morning and prefer something a bit more invigorating than yoga or stretching. If that’s you, set aside some time early in the morning for a walk or run. It’s a fantastic way to start the day and if you can get your exercise out of the way early, you won’t have to think about it again for the rest of the day. And you’ll undoubtedly have more energy if you’ve started the day with a brisk walk. It can also be a great time to organise your thoughts and plan your day.
Have a shower
There’s nothing like a good blast of water to invigorate you first thing upon waking or after exercise. Some people even swear by a blast of cold water straight after their hot shower.
There’s nothing like a good blast of water to invigorate you first thing upon waking or after exercise. Some people even swear by a blast of cold water straight after their hot shower.
Make a list
Morning is the time of day to organise your thoughts and set goals, and one of the best ways to do this is to write down a list of everything you need to do that day. Put them in order of priority and be realistic. Ticking each goal off one by one throughout the day can be highly rewarding.
Tell us
What’s your morning routine? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts. Join the conversation!
More
Read more lifestyle stories
Morning is the time of day to organise your thoughts and set goals, and one of the best ways to do this is to write down a list of everything you need to do that day. Put them in order of priority and be realistic. Ticking each goal off one by one throughout the day can be highly rewarding.
Tell us
What’s your morning routine? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts. Join the conversation!
More
Read more lifestyle stories
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We're so lucky through winter to have a north facing ground floor bedroom which just fills up with the most beautiful dancing light and shimmering shadows as the sun comes over the trees at the end of the block, skims water and pours around lattice to get to us. I love it, especially on the weekend when we can stay in bed for the full show. One of us gets up before dawn to sort out the chickens and picks a ruby grapefruit that is then left where the sun will warm it. When the light show is over we share the grapefruit and some tea while talking about what is coming up in our day. I do love mornings.
I love eating my breakfast sitting in the sun with a Sudoku or word puzzle to exercise the mind! Followed by exercising my dog and my bod with a good walk on the local bush tracks near home.