Working moms, those early morning hours before the chaos are precious – yet so often squandered. Many of us suffer from “hurry sickness” and feel rushed and behind before we’ve even started our days.
It doesn’t have to be that way! Utilizing those first few morning hours purposefully allows you to meet your own needs while being present for the family before any demands hit.
This 10-step productive morning routine for working moms is designed to help working mamas sidestep the a.m. pandemonium through self-care rituals, family bonding, and planning. Powered mornings breed productive days, period.
The steps can be tweaked to your schedule, but taking back your mornings is a game-changer. Reclaim those peaceful hours – your entire day will start off on the right, centered foot.
Read More: How To Have A Productive Week: 10 Simple Tips That Works
Here is the 10-Step Productive Morning Routine for Working Moms
- Wake Up Early
- Hydrate
- Exercise
- Meditation/Mindfulness
- Plan the Day
- Healthy Breakfast
- Family Time
- Self-Care Ritual
- Dress Up
- Review Goals
1. Wake Up Early
They say the early bird gets the worm, and for working moms, it couldn’t be more true. Waking up even just 60-90 minutes before the rest of the household stirs is a game-changer.
“Those first, quiet moments of the day allow you to take ownership and be intentional before inevitable disruptions occur. You’re better able to proactively choose how you’ll spend your limited time and energy,” says Samantha Ettus, work-life balance expert.
By waking up early, you create a pocket of serenity and buffer time for your productive morning routine before the kids wake up or you have to rush out the door. Whether your schedule allows rising at 5 am or just 6:30 am, those kid-free hours are sacred for self-care, goal-setting, and making things happen.
But be warned – don’t sabotage yourself by staying up too late either. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep by establishing an earlier bedtime if needed. Slowly adjust your wake time in 15-minute increments if it’s difficult at first. Consistency is key for this highly effective habit!
Read More: 15 Effective Time Management Hacks for Working Moms
2. Hydrate
While coffee is certainly an AM staple for many of us working mamas, it shouldn’t be the only liquid you’re chugging first thing. One of the most foundational steps of a productive morning routine? Hydrating with plenty of plain ol’ H2O.
“Dehydration is one of the leading causes of daytime fatigue and poor concentration. Starting your day off fully hydrated provides an immediate pick-me-up for both your mental and physical energy,” cautions Dr. Roger Henderson.
Experts recommend drinking at least 16-20oz of water immediately upon waking before you take your first sip of coffee. Keep a reusable bottle on your nightstand for easy access.
You can even add lemon slices, mint, cucumber, or your favorite fruit slices to infuse extra flavor and antioxidants if needed. Just get those fluids going early to rehydrate after an overnight fast. With hydration checked off, you’ll feel refreshed and mentally sharp for tackling your morning!
3. Exercise
Working moms live sedentary lives by default – desk-bound at the office, followed by evenings tired on the couch. That’s why kickstarting your day with physical activity provides such a vital energy boost.
Exercise in the morning has been proven to increase productivity levels significantly. It releases mood-boosting endorphins, sharpens focus, and sets the tone for making healthier decisions all day long.
You don’t need an intense workout routine – just get your body moving for 20-30 minutes however you enjoy. Go for a brisk walk while listening to an audiobook. Stream a yoga flow in your living room. Take the kids for a bike ride around the neighborhood. The goal is to elevate heart rate and mobility before sitting down to work.
Finding an exercise buddy, whether your partner or a friend, provides built-in accountability too. However you squeeze it in, prioritizing physical movement first thing jumpstarts your productive morning on an energizing note.
4. Meditation/Mindfulness
With so many thoughts and obligations racing through your mind from the moment you wake up, a working mom’s morning can feel frantic from the start. Enter meditation and mindfulness practices – the antidote to that flustered state.
Beginning your day by going inward allows you to be proactive rather than reactive. Even just 5-10 minutes spent meditating, doing deep breathing exercises, or practicing gentle yoga helps you cultivate presence and awareness.
There are countless free apps and YouTube videos providing guided morning meditations, but you can also simply set a timer and sit in silence. Focus on your inhales and exhales. Notice and name the thoughts drifting through rather than latching onto them.
Starting your morning grounded in the present moment like this creates intentional headspace before the inevitable busyness and distractions pour in. It’s a productive morning must for busy working moms to begin from a calm, centered place.
5. Plan the Day
Once your mind and body are centered from exercise and meditation, it’s time to proactively map out your day. Working moms know how quickly schedules can get hijacked by unplanned fires and distractions.
Spend 10-15 minutes each morning brain-dumping absolutely everything you need to accomplish into a planner or digital calendar. Work projects and meetings, kid activities and appointments, meal preps, chores – get it all out of your head and into a tangible to-do list.
From there, assign time blocks and prioritize your three most crucial tasks for the day. Determine what can realistically be achieved with your limited morning hours before everyone wakes up. Sketch out a rough schedule to go on offense rather than reacting defensively all day.
Having a proactive game plan polished off before the chaos hits is so empowering. You’re mentally prepared, focused, and not relying on that frazzled working mom memory. When you plan your day, you’re way more likely to have a productive one.
6. Healthy Breakfast
They say it’s the most important meal of the day for a reason! Taking time for a nourishing, protein-packed breakfast helps maintain consistent energy levels as a working mom.
Rather than chugging coffee and running out the door to grab a sugar-bomb breakfast sandwich, set aside 20 minutes each morning to assemble a healthy meal at home. Keep it simple with ingredients like Greek yogurt and berries, avocado toast, veggie-loaded frittatas, or smoothies.
The key is balancing complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats to provide lasting mental focus and stamina until lunch. Prepping grab-and-go components like hard-boiled eggs, turkey bacon, or overnight oats the night before streamlines your morning.
Sitting down for this energizing first meal also provides a calm moment of family time before everyone scatters in different directions. Making your nutritious breakfast a no-exceptions ritual sets you up for a productive, healthy day.
7. Family Time
Even amid your productive morning routine for career-driven priorities, it’s crucial to build quality time with your family before everyone disperses for the day. These small bonding moments pay dividends.
“Intentionally connecting with loved ones allows you to be more present rather than burnt out and depleted. You’ll gain positive energy from sweet moments of imparting wisdom, sharing laughs, and creating memories,” says work-life balance researcher Monique Valcour.
It can be as simple as eating that healthy breakfast together while discussing everyone’s agendas and to-dos over coffee. Linger at the table after finishing your meals to chat and embrace any adorable kid detours. Let them see you model time management by checking your planner.
Or maybe your ritual is snuggling up for 15 minutes to read bedtime stories to the little ones after getting dressed. Use this pocket to speak calmly about behavior expectations for the day, or excitedly cheer on big events like game days or performances.
These small doses of undivided family time help you realign with your priorities beyond your career. You’re starting your productive morning already achieving wholeness through connection.
8. Self-Care Ritual
With all the hustle of your morning routine checked off, don’t forget to gift yourself with a non-negotiable window of self-care before walking out the door and beginning external demands.
It could be something as simple as sipping a cup of hot tea or coffee in solitude, journaling your intentions for the day, or taking 10 minutes to read an inspiring or entertaining book. Maybe your indulgence is applying a luxurious face moisturizer or unwinding in a warm shower.
This is scheduled “you” time – no calls, chores, or catching up on emails allowed. Just an opportunity to re-center and connect with yourself through whatever self-nurturing rituals help start your day grounded.
As author Melody Wilding says, “Self-care is giving the world the best of you rather than what’s left of you.” Prioritizing rejuvenation for 15-30 minutes ensures you’re walking into your productive day from a state of calm and clarity, not depletion.
9. Dress Up
While the luxury of working from home means you could technically stay in pajamas all day, don’t underestimate the power of “dressing up” as part of your productive daily routine.
Getting showered and putting on an outfit you feel confident in, even if it’s just jeans and a nice top, provides a mental cue that it’s time to step into work mode. You’re separating your morning self-care and family time from professional responsibilities.
The act of purposefully getting ready for the day ahead activates a shift in mindset. You’ll feel more motivated and poised to tackle your tasks than if you tried to be productive while still in bedhead mode. It’s a mental game!
For working moms with toddlers at home, getting dressed before their chaos wakes up is crucial too. You’ve already checked off your preparatory steps in peace rather than trying to juggle an energetic tiny human while also getting ready.
10. Review Goals
As the final step of your morning routine, take a few minutes to review your bigger-picture goals for the week, month, or quarter. Don’t just blindly check today’s to-do list then immediately jump into the daily grind.
Reconnecting with your overarching objectives – whether they’re career benchmarks, personal growth aims, or family priorities – keeps you operating with intention. You’re far more likely to have a focused, productive day working towards what truly matters most.
Make a habit of reviewing your vision board or documented goals first thing. Read them aloud if that resonates. Then cross-check: how do today’s smaller tasks and schedule allotments serve those greater aims? Adjust and re-prioritize as needed.
This grounds you in your Why before distractions and urgencies try derailing you. As the evening routine cycle begins later, you’ll rest better knowing you channeled your limited morning hours purposefully.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Setting SMART Career Objectives (with Examples)
Final Words
Working moms, your entire day flows from those first few morning hours before the chaos and demands begin. How you choose to utilize that sacred time largely shapes your productivity, focus, and mental well-being for the next 16 hours.
This 10-step productive morning routine for working moms provides a comprehensive blueprint for purposefully designing your a.m. to proactively meet your needs as both a woman and a mother. From self-care rituals like meditation and exercise to practical priorities like planning and prepping breakfast, each step fortifies you to show up as your best self.
Will it require diligence and potential adjustments to your daily rhythms? Absolutely. However, mastering an intentional morning routine breeds benefits that compound over time. You’ll operate from a centered place of clarity rather than reactively playing catch-up in a frazzled state.
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