The way you start your day greatly influences the rest of your day, setting the tone for your mood, energy, and productivity. While waking up at 5 am may seem like an impossible feat, you may change your mind once you know the benefits. A distraction-free hour is an amazing way to wake up in the morning, to prioritize yourself, your mind, and your self development. If you’re keen to get started and want to know how to make the best of it, here are 5 am morning routine ideas for your most productive day.
What Is ‘The 5 am Club?’
‘The 5 am Club’ is a concept started by Robin Sharma, based on a revolutionary morning routine that helped his clients maximize productivity and activate their best health. It consists of waking up at 5 am to do 20 minutes of movement, 20 minutes of silence (ex. planning, journaling, or meditation), and 20 minutes of study and personal growth.
With this 5 am routine, you spend the first hour of the day focusing on yourself, without distractions of kids, work, or technology. This undistracted time helps set you up for success by focusing on self reflection and personal growth.
How you start your day influences how the rest of your day will go. According to Sharma, your brain is more calm, focused, and productive when you wake up. Starting your day with an hour to yourself helps you enjoy a more energized and productive day. If you start your day in a positive mental state, this good mood will likely carry over to the rest of your day.
10 Benefits of Starting Your Day at 5 am
- Better performance
- Less distraction
- Set the tone for the rest of your day
- Improved sleep
- Reduced stress
- Higher productivity and creativity
- More proactiveness
- Improved confidence
- Quality time for yourself
- Better sense of calm and fulfillment
4 Tips to Stay Accountable
1. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule
If you’re waking up an hour or two earlier than usual, you’ll have a hard time if you go to bed at the same time. The average adult needs about seven hours of sleep per night, so if you’re waking up at 5 am, you should be sleeping by 10 pm. That means getting into bed between 9 to 9:30, depending on how long it takes you to fall asleep.
2. Prioritize Your Nighttime Routine
How you spend your evenings is key to your morning routine success. Close out your day with gratitude, do some meditation, read a book, and turn off your phone and TV. Relaxing your mind and getting yourself into a calm state will help you fall asleep easier and get a better night’s rest, while also making it easier to wake up at 5 am.
3. Keep Your Phone In Another Room
Our phones are one of the biggest distractions we have. The last thing you want to do is wake up at 5 am only to immediately check emails and social media and waste 30 minutes scrolling. Use an alarm clock and keep your phone in another room than where you’ll be doing your 5 am routine. Don’t touch it until you’re done.
4. Let People Know
Let your spouse, kids, and close family and friends know that you’re starting a 5 am routine. It can be tough, especially at the beginning, and telling people will help you stay committed. They’ll also understand if you’re extra tired or having a bad day here and there. Who knows, maybe someone will want to do it with you and become your accountability partner!
5 am Morning Routine Ideas for a Productive Day
1. Gentle Exercise
Try not to be put off by exercise so early in the morning. You don’t need to go for a run or do a HIIT routine (unless you want to). Gentle exercise such as doing a yoga class, going for a walk, doing tai chi, or easy cycling is a great way to wake your body up. Morning movement boosts your mood, energy, focus, and productivity to ensure you have an awesome day.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Focusing your mind is a really beneficial way to start your day. Too many times our mornings are rushed and flustered. Taking time to meditate, do yoga, or focus on deep breathing can get you in the right mind frame for the day ahead and make you more focused and productive.
3. Schedule Your Day
A good way to use the 20 minutes of silence is to schedule your day ahead. This will help you stay on track and be more productive, getting important things on your to do list checked off. Create a realistic schedule for your day, jotting down any meetings and commitments, as well as tasks you want to get through. This will guide your time and increase your focus, helping you have a productive day.
4. Journal
There are plenty of benefits to journaling in the morning. It helps you clear your mind, makes you less anxious, and allows you to start your day on a positive and grateful note. It can be super cathartic and helps you get in touch with your creative side. You can do gratitude journaling, reflective journaling, daily journaling, dream journaling, whatever type of journaling you’re feeling in the moment.
5. Self Development
Think of something you’ve always wanted to do or learn. Maybe it’s taking up crochet, getting better at baking, or learning a new language. This is the perfect time to get started. Use this time to do what inspires you and helps you grow as a person.
6. Listen to an Educational Podcast
Podcasts are having their moment, which means that lucky for us, there is so much to choose from. While pop culture and comedic podcasts are great for entertainment, start your morning with a self development, wellness, educational, or business podcast. Make sure it’s a podcast you’ll learn and grow from, in an area that interests you most.
7. Make a Healthy Breakfast
Breakfast fuels you for the rest of the day. Prepare a healthy breakfast with ingredients that make you feel good, full, and energized. From avocado toast, to a superfood smoothie bowl, oatmeal with berries, or poached eggs over mushroom hash, there are plenty of healthy breakfast foods.
Ready to try a 5 am morning routine? We hope you love these ideas to get you started and boost your productivity.
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