How many times have you started off your day by hitting the snooze bar? Then you have to rush to get ready, and hurry through breakfast (if you even get breakfast, that is!). Then there’s a good chance that you will run late for work, and when you do arrive you’re frantic, winded and flustered!

How about if you’re a stay at home or work at home mom? How great is your morning when you’re having to rush through breakfast with the children, and then have to hurry to get them ready for their day?

Does that sound like a good morning? Does that snooze bar get your day off to a good start?

How about giving yourself a break? How about honoring that amazing person that is “you” with a good morning, and a great start to the day?

Get Up Earlier
There is no way around it – unless you can put the world off by an hour, you are just going to need to get up an hour earlier. I can hear you groaning already, but think of this. That is 60 blissful minutes of non-frantic time to yourself.

Exercise
When we exercise, we feel better about ourselves. Get your exercise routine over with first thing in the morning, and you’ll feel better about yourself all day long! Plus it has the added benefit of releasing stress, so you can have a more relaxing day.

Journal
Writing is good for the immune system. And it unleashes creativity. Write every morning --- and try to keep it positive. Many of us just use our journals for venting, but that is not a very creative use of our time, and sure doesn’t leave much of a legacy. Write the story of your life, or write about important events. Journals can also be great sounding boards – and wonderful tools for problem solving.

Quiet Breakfast Time
Whether you are single or have a family, create a peaceful breakfast environment and really enjoy your food. If you have children, it’s a wonderful way to start their day off too (so you may need to get them up a little bit early, if necessary).

Go For A Walk
Take yourself, your dog and/or your children for an early morning stroll, weather permitting. It’s fun to be outside; it de-stresses us, calms us, and the sunshine on our heads helps our body’s vitamin absorption.

Read
Reading a bit from an inspirational book is a great way to start the day. Something that uplifts and inspires helps us to have a more creative day!

I love the early morning hours, and I’m frequently up at least 45 minutes before my family. Those extra minutes I could have spent in bed with the pillow over my head are never missed, and nothing compared to the peace I experience by treating myself with a good morning routine.