If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s the power of routine. When life felt completely turned upside down, carving out time for consistent practices was key for my overall health and happiness. And when I take inventory of the days that went better than others, those “good days” almost always started with a morning routine.

There’s no one-size-fits-all prescription for the ideal morning routine. We all have unique circumstances and challenges like work schedules and family dynamics that will impact how you best set up your day. Some of us are morning people who love to hit the ground running at 5 a.m., and other of us don’t hit our stride until after dinner.

But regardless of when you rise, carving out a few moments at the start of each day to fill up your own cup can help you become infinitely more productive, calmer, and more resilient in the face of inevitable road bumps. If most days you feel like you’re running on the hamster wheel of life, try on a few of the suggestions below and see what works for you.

Before we dive, however, let’s first talk about one big fat don’t. And it might be one of the toughest to stick to: Don’t check your phone.

How often have you gone to silence your alarm and immediately started scrolling? It can start innocently enough. What’s the weather looking like today? You wonder while opening the weather app. Forty-five minutes later, you’re irritated by your Aunt Sherry’s political post on Facebook, feeling deflated after seeing your neighbor’s finished home renovation on Instagram, and have gone down a 20-minute rabbit hole perusing your ex’s Venmo history. And it’s not even 7 a.m.

In that amount of time, you could have accomplished any number of the following, all of which will help you feel more grounded, centered, and energized. So, with that said, let’s get to the dos, shall we?

Drink a big glass of water

Drinking water is vital for your body to function properly, and overnight your body becomes relatively dehydrated. Water also cleans out toxins in your system and even helps you maintain optimal brain activity. If you often feel sluggish and foggy, try this simple trick: keep a glass next to your bed and reach for it as soon as your alarm goes off.

Move your body

You don’t have to be a 5:45 a.m. Power Sculpt regular for this one to fit into your routine. (But that’s awesome if that’s your jam!) Even if you don’t plan to hit your mat until later in the day, do some gentle stretching, fit in a few brief weight

bearing exercises, or get some fresh air by walking your pup around the neighborhood. Those feel-good endorphins will boost your energy for the rest of the day.

Meditate

We all know meditation is good for us. It can also be really challenging—especially for those of us who’d rather fire off 10 work emails first thing rather than sitting in silence. But research shows that even a few minutes of daily meditation can improve your mood so that you’re less reactive, regardless of what the day might throw at you.

List your big 3

Do you ever wake up and immediately feel bogged down by a never-ending list of to dos? I’m a big proponent of lists—especially when writing everything down reduces mental clutter. But I often find that when I don’t make as big of a dent as I’d hoped, I feel discouraged. So instead, list just 3 things that you are hell-bent on accomplishing in your day. You’ll find this gives you greater clarity and improves productivity to get done the things that really matter.

Read (or listen to) something inspiring

Instead of jumping on the Twitter train or turning on the news first thing, choose to read or listen to something that makes you feel hopeful or sparks joy (thanks Marie Kondo). The media we consume first thing can set the tone for the day. So instead of devouring the negative, opt for the positive.

Practice gratitude

Jot down 3 to 5 things you feel thankful for. Even if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, taking a moment to show gratitude can significantly shift your mindset.

These are just a few things you can do to set your day up for success. As you start to find your ideal routine, you might even find yourself looking forward to the sound of your alarm. Do you have a morning routine? What daily practices set you up for success? Let us know in the comments!