There are 8 rituals I’ve incorporated into my mornings to set a positive tone for the rest of the day and achieve a hygge mood.

It may sound like a lot, but once you adopt these rituals into your morning routine, you’ll see that it’s just the right amount to help you slow down and start your day off on a happier note.

I get out of bed at 6 am to begin my day. Waking up early to have a slow morning to achieve a hygge mood is a commitment, and while it was hard for me to get here, it was totally worth it.

I’m certainly NOT a morning person. Ever since I was a kid, I struggled to get out of bed each morning, probably because I went to bed late. Things didn’t change much when I became an adult because I enjoy staying up to watch tv, but I knew that I had to change my habits if I didn’t want to feel rushed and stressed every morning.

My body resisted the first day I tried to get out of bed at 6 am. It was a struggle. I did not get out of bed at 6 am, but I found myself out of bed 15 minutes earlier than usual. I woke up around 6 am (ok, maybe 6:30ish) but chose to linger in bed. I did some light stretching and eventually got myself out of bed. Each following day I got myself out of bed a few minutes earlier and eventually got into the routine of getting out of bed by 6 am (except on the weekends, those days are reserved for sleeping in if my body needs it).

I find getting out of bed by 6 am to be perfect for me. If you have kids or need to be in the office by a set time, the ideal time for you could look different. Decide which morning rituals you’d like to incorporate into your life and how much time you’d need to go through them. Then aim to wake up at a time that will allow you to do all those things. It’s a work in progress, so don’t stress if it takes you a few weeks to figure out the best time to get out of bed.

Below I share what my morning rituals look like. But first, a few pointers on getting up early.

How to get out of bed early?

Getting up earlier has many benefits, including a slow morning routine that strengthens and prepares you for your day and gets you into your hygge mood.

Here are habits you can implement to ease your way into waking up earlier and transforming into (dare we say it) a morning person:

- Go to bed early enough to get 7-8 hours of rest.

- Stop drinking any drinks with caffeine by mid-afternoon, and don’t drink alcohol before bedtime.

- Have an evening routine where you can unplug and unwind.

- Turn off electronics and lights at least 30 minutes before bed. If you don’t do this, you may find yourself lying in bed for half an hour before falling asleep.

- Keep your bedroom dark and cool.

- Train yourself by going to bed at a set time every day until you naturally start feeling tired at that time.

Now – onto my morning hygge rituals.

Tap into a good stretch.

You’re either a morning workout person, or you’re not. I’m not, but I enjoy a good stretch in the morning.

While you’re still lying in bed, stretch every part of your body.

Stretching has a calming effect on the body and your mind. It gets your blood flowing, improves energy, and helps your muscles perform better throughout the day.

Set Intentions for the Day

A way to practice mindfulness daily is to set daily intentions.

If you’re unfamiliar with the intention setting, it’s the practice of identifying what you want to focus on throughout the day. Every morning, you list the things you want to do or think about to maintain a positive mindset.

Intentions could be inspirations, reminders, guiding principles, phrases, or tools for facing the day ahead.

Starting my day with clear intentions sets the tone and influences the flow of my day. It is not the only thing I will be doing that day, but it does put me in a positive mindset. When I have intentions in mind, it helps me stay centered and focused.

I set my intention as early in the morning as possible, and I start with a simple sentence that goes like this:

"Today, I intend to _____."

Some intentions I have set for myself include:

- Today, I intend to be kind.

- Today, I intend to celebrate each victory, both big and small.

- Today, I intend to stop taking things personally.

- Today, I intend to slow down and see the goodness around me.

- Today, I intend to prioritize self-care.

- Today, I intend to live fully in each present moment.

When you say your intention, you have to focus on it and make sure it deeply resonates. No one will know your intentions unless you choose to share them, so let it be about what YOU want.

Setting your intentions gets easier over time. Soon, it will be part of your regular routine. There is no limit to how many daily intentions you can set for yourself. Whether it is 1 or 12 intentions, the purpose of an intention is to help guide your mindset in the day ahead.

This book was helpful to me when I first started setting intentions.

Morning Skin Care Routine

As I get older, I pay more attention to how my skin is changing and realize I need to do a better job of taking care of it. I’m working on the habit of having a better morning and evening skincare routine.

Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated, so don’t worry if you’re wondering how to fit some 10-step process into your morning.

Here’s my 5-step morning skincare routine - after I wash my face, I apply toner, serum, a lightweight moisturizer, and sunscreen. It feels like a mini pampering session every time I do it and is a great way to start the day. Plus, smelling good and feeling good puts me in a great mood.

Morning Coffee (but first water)

The first thing I do when I get out of bed is pour myself a cup of water and drink it slowly. When we wake up, our bodies have gone 8 hours without fluids, so it’s important to hydrate.

After drinking water, I begin my morning coffee ritual.

I love using these adaptogenic coffee blends for my morning "coffee" because it makes just the right amount. The process also makes for a nice and simple coffee ritual. I pour the contents into a mug with hot water and wait a few minutes before that first sip. While I wait for my drink, I step out into my garden and enjoy the sound of singing birds.

When my coffee is ready, I pour it out into my favorite mug. I wrap my hands around the cup and feel the warmth. I breathe in, bring my mind back to my body, and become fully present. At that moment, I am not lost in the past, future, or in projects, or my worries; I am free from all these afflictions. And in this state of being free, I enjoy my coffee, savoring each sip and noticing the different flavors. This is my moment of happiness and peace.

Journal

Journaling helps me process, get out bothersome thoughts, slow the mind and work through ideas.

Sometimes I write to manifest hygge vibes – about having a hyggelig day. My days turn out to be more productive and focused when I write about having hygge days.

I also journal to give thanks for what I have. Gratitude is an important part of the intention-setting process because if we’re always just wanting and not finding gratitude in life, we’re in a constant state of scarcity. By finding a few moments of gratitude for things that I have, I experience more positive emotions and increased feelings of happiness.

This is the notebook I use for journaling.

Nourish

Breakfast is often called “the most important meal of the day” because it breaks the overnight fasting period. Eating a nourishing breakfast can make a big difference in giving you the energy and motivation to get through your day.

I used to not eat breakfast because I never had time, but it has become part of my morning rituals since I started waking up earlier.

My breakfast usually consists of seasonal fruit with yogurt. On days when I wake up hungry, I have oatmeal with berries or avocado toast on sourdough bread with toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of honey.

15 Minutes of Reading

I used to start my mornings reading the news and scrolling through Instagram. It wasn’t healthy.

So rather than scroll through my phone, I now spend 15 minutes in the morning reading a book or magazine. I pick content that makes me happy. I find that spending time to read each morning encourages creativity and positivity, setting up for a hyggelig rest of the day.

Spread Kindness

Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. It may encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves, contributing to a more positive community.

And when we do something kind for someone else, we feel good. Endorphins! Dopamine!

Each morning, I send good thoughts out into the world. Throughout the day, I try to perform at least one act of kindness.

Acts of Kindness Ideas

- Give someone a compliment.

- Plant a tree.

- Take the time to write a great online review for a business you love.

- Listen.

- Give someone your seat on a crowded bus or subway.

- Sign up to volunteer.

- Send a surprise to someone.

- Let someone cut in front of you in line.

- Don’t forget yourself! Schedule time for an activity you love. Being kind to yourself will give you the energy and strength to be kind to others!

The Value of Morning Rituals

I used to have those days that got lost in feeling stressed and tired—my days passed by so quickly. Having slow morning rituals as part of my routine has made a difference. My morning rituals support my overall well-being by helping me start my day feeling good, setting a positive mindset, and focusing on what’s helpful for me.

If you’re struggling to maintain a morning routine, start small. Begin with one or two habits and add more as you get better at establishing your morning rituals.