My morning routine

It might sound crazy and repetitive, but when we get up, we always do the same things. My ideal morning is all about taking it easy—no rush. If I have things to do and schedules to keep, I make sure to wake up early enough so I don’t have to rush. They say that keeping a regular routine is key to getting good rest (link1), and I’m pretty regular myself. On weekends, I usually get up about half an hour later than usual. The morning routine should shake off that nighttime grogginess and ease us into full functionality. The heart rate should increase slowly, no sudden jumps. A bit of stretching is definitely helpful. Breakfast is an important meal that should give us the right energy to tackle the morning without weighing us down.

Everyone has their own morning routine. If I skip a step I absolutely have to fix it as soon as I notice. Here’s my list of the things I always do in a slightly obsessive order; some are common, others are more unique:

1. Vocal warm-ups: I love singing as a hobby, and I’ve been in two choirs, so I take care of my voice, which sounds a bit like a frog’s croak in the morning. So, still lying in bed, I start with a super high falsetto note, as high as I can go, and then a really low one, almost like a growl, breathing well and trying to get a decent volume. Since I’m not a bass, the high note is easier for me, although just after waking up, the low notes usually come out better. Obviously, I skip the vocal warm-ups if there’s someone I don’t want to wake up, but normally that’s not a problem since my wife always gets up before me—she literally bolts out of bed!

2. Back stretch: Since I mostly sleep on my stomach (prone position), while still lying down, I try to stretch my back in the opposite direction by bending my legs and bringing my knees close to my chest.

3. Positive thoughts: I remind myself how happy I am to be alive and healthy today—at my age, I live from hand to mouth. Then I think about today’s breakfast and what I’m going to do during the day, focusing on the fun parts.

4. Blowing my nose: Sitting on the bed, I always blow my nose, even if I don’t feel like I need to, using the handkerchief I always keep on the nightstand. I think it’s important to clean out the nose after a night’s sleep; it helps me avoid sneezing all morning, or so I believe.

5. Finally, I get up: I raise the blinds and open the window to let in some fresh air—necessary to clear out the night’s emissions from various orifices. In winter, I don’t keep the window open too long to avoid cooling the room too much, and because the air exchange is quicker due to the temperature difference between inside and outside. In summer, I leave it open longer.

6. Bathroom trip: I head to the bathroom to pee, everyone does this. I’m not young anymore, but I don’t have major prostate issues, so I usually don’t have to get up during the night, especially in summer when I sweat a bit at night and produce less urine. I use a bucket of recycled water to flush instead of the toilet flush to save water.

7. Back stretch part two: Standing up, I stretch my back by bending over to touch my toes while keeping my legs straight and not bending my knees. This completes the back stretch I started in step 2. Maybe it’s thanks to these exercises, but I don’t suffer from back pain. They say that moderate physical exercise in the morning is great, even just 10-15 minutes, and it helps release endorphins that boost your mood (link2). But I stick to stretching my spine.

8. Wrinkle smoothing: Since the mirror started showing me a few wrinkles and because sleeping positions sometimes create extra creases, I stretch the skin on my cheeks and forehead for a bit. I’m not sure if it helps, but just in case, I do it. This is the part I sometimes forget, as it’s a recent addition to the routine.

9. Mouth rinse: After a night’s sleep, your mouth isn’t exactly fresh, bad taste, bad breath, so I rinse a couple of times and gargle. I believe this helps reduce tartar buildup on the teeth, which apparently forms mostly at night (link3).

10. Washing face and hands: I use a bar of soap instead of liquid soap because it’s cheaper and generally cleans better. If I washed my hair the day before, I skip the soap for my face. If the water is cool, I even take a sip; otherwise, I drink sparkling water from the fridge as soon as I get to the kitchen. They say that after a night’s rest, the body is dehydrated and needs to replenish lost fluids. Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up is a great way to hydrate your body, kickstart your metabolism, and help flush out toxins accumulated during the night (link4).

11. Radio: After greeting my wife and son, I head to the kitchen for breakfast. I turn on the radio because I like listening to it while I eat. I usually tune in to a national station via the internet, so there’s no interference. Sometimes, unbelievably, the song stuck in my head is the one playing on the radio! I choose a station with no ads at that hour; if an ad comes on, I quickly change stations with the remote. The question is, “Who actually listens to radio ads?” I definitely wouldn’t pay for them. Some short ads are tolerable, but sometimes the commercial breaks are way too long, so I have to change the station.

12. Finally, breakfast: This is a crucial, non-negotiable moment for me. I like having breakfast at home because I usually go for something savory and vegan, and I can’t always find what I want at a café. Plus, I absolutely have to brush my teeth right after. A balanced breakfast should include proteins, fiber, and healthy fats. Fresh fruit, whole grains, and a smoothie are great choices to start the day with the right energy (link5). Since I tend to have high cholesterol, I try not to consume too much sugar, as it increases the body’s production of this dangerous substance (link6). For breakfast, I usually have two slices of whole grain bread with something savory in between. I always drink something warm, even in summer, like tea with a bit of raw cane sugar or barley coffee with vegan biscuits to dip in.

13. Outfit time: Back in the bedroom, I pick out clothes based on the morning’s activities. Luckily, I don’t have to wear a suit and tie, so I go for something casual. If I’m short on time, I’ve already laid out my clothes the night before; otherwise, I just pick something on the spot.

14. Tooth brushing: Back in the bathroom to brush my teeth. I’ve been using an electric toothbrush with a round rotating head for years—it’s definitely convenient and cleans better. I use a cheap toothpaste in the morning and after lunch (my dentist says they’re all the same), and a more expensive one after dinner. Sometimes, instead of toothpaste in the morning, I use a mixture of water and vinegar, which I hope reduces tartar buildup (especially between the teeth). The fact is, when I go to the dentist for my regular check-up, I almost never need a cleaning.

15. The big one: This is a crucial part of my morning to start the day feeling “lighter.” I always sit down, even if I don’t feel the need, and I bring my tablet to do something not too mentally taxing, and usually, nature takes its course. I’m a big contributor to the sewer system; sometimes I feel like I’m flushing out more than I took in.

16. Shaving: I do this every other day, as I’m not very hairy (thankfully!). I’ve always used an electric razor, lately a rechargeable one with three rotating heads. When it’s hot and my skin isn’t completely dry, I use talcum powder before shaving, which greatly improves the shave and speeds things up since the talc reduces friction. I then rinse the shaved area to remove hair dust and talc residue, dry off, and apply aftershave to refresh and scent my skin. The electric razor is quick and works perfectly for my beard.

17. Back to the bedroom to get dressed, after that, I make the bed. If my wife is around, she prefers to do it herself because she says I don’t do it right. Here’s a tip for husbands: don’t do things too well, do them quickly.

And there you have it; I’m finally ready to take on the day.

Developing healthy morning habits can transform not only how you start your day but also your whole approach to life. The key to keeping these habits is consistency. Start with small changes and see how your physical and mental well-being improves. Starting your day with attention and care for yourself is the first step toward a healthier and more fulfilling life (link7).

See you at the next list, if you liked this one! Do you do anything special in the morning? Drop it in the comments.

Link1: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/health-benefits-of-having-a-routine

Link2: https://www.calm.com/blog/working-out-in-the-morning

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax

Link3: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/plaque#outlook

Link4:

https://www.medicinenet.com/why_is_drinking_water_in_the_morning_so_important/article.htm

Link5: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-best-foods-to-eat-in-morning

Link6: https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/sugar-and-cholesterol

Link7: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-morning-routine#be-mindful