Steal These Low-Fuss Habits
Sure, they may not have to do their makeup or their hair or put on more than 2 layers of clothing, but we can’t deny that men have a short and simple morning routine. Drink a little water, brush their teeth, do a couple of push-ups beside the bed, and start their day. Women, meanwhile, often wake up already carrying the day in their heads: appointments, emails, school forms, laundry, the group chat, the thing that needs returning, and the thing nobody else remembered. While we know that a woman’s constant run-on concern is what keeps everything running smoothly, it’s still important to take a bit of time for oneself now and again, especially in the mornings. Here are 20 morning habits men often practice that women may want to adopt, too.
1. Drink Water
It's easy to want to rush to the coffee machine first thing, but your body needs good, pure water after a night without fluids. Keep a full water bottle on the nightstand and drink it all as soon as you wake up.
2. Get Outside Early
Morning light can help your body settle into a steadier sleep-wake rhythm. A quick walk around the block, a few minutes on the balcony, or standing outside while the kettle boils can make this routine all the easier.
3. Brush Your Teeth
Aside from decent hygiene, sometimes brushing your teeth is enough to get your brain to start moving properly. Plus, who likes to walk around with dragon breath for longer than necessary?
4. Get Some Gentle Movement In
Morning movement doesn’t have to mean a gym session at 5:45 a.m. It can be squats beside the bed, a quick walk with the dog, light dumbbells in the living room, or 10 minutes of stretching. Ideally, you’re not being bothered by anyone else in the house, and allowing your body to fully wake up.
5. Try a Cold Shower
A cold shower doesn’t need to become a test of character, but it does have its benefits. Turning the water cooler for the last 20 or 30 seconds can feel refreshing, especially after a workout.
6. Eat Protein at Breakfast
A breakfast with protein tends to hold up better than a sweet grab-and-go option that leaves you hungry again a few hours later. Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, smoked salmon, turkey slices, or last night’s chicken can all do the job without much fuss.
7. Write Down Your Priorities
A short list can make the morning feel less like open tabs in human form. Try naming the three things that matter most: the work task, the household thing, and the personal thing that’ll make you feel less behind.
8. Stretch the Tight Spots
A few slow stretches can help if your neck, hips, shoulders, or lower back feel irritated. It doesn’t need to be a full stretch session, but be sure to warm your body up a little bit beforehand.
9. Leave the Phone Alone
Turning your phone on doesn’t have to happen before drinking water, brushing your teeth, and preparing breakfast. Checking messages before your feet hit the floor guarantees that you’ll be stressed.
10. Have Some Quiet Time
A few quiet minutes can help you feel less pulled in every direction. Sit at the kitchen table, breathe slowly, look out the window, and let your brain wake up before you start to ask it to work.
11. Make the Bed
Making the bed gives the room one clean point before the rest of the day gets involved. It’s quick, it’s visible, and it makes walking back into the bedroom later feel just a little bit better.
12. Use A Grounding Phrase
A short phrase can help when the morning already feels tight. Something simple like “do the next thing” or “keep it steady” can interrupt the mental spiral quickly and calmly.
13. Read Something Before Scrolling
A few pages of a novel, a newsletter you actually like, or a saved article can give your brain a better start than your Instagram feed. Even five minutes on the couch with coffee can feel calmer than opening three apps before breakfast.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
14. Wake Up Around the Same Time
A consistent wake-up time can make mornings feel less chaotic. It doesn’t have to be 5 a.m., either; 7:15 a.m. every weekday is still a routine. It doesn’t matter what time it is; it just matters that it works for you.
15. Add Strength Training
Strength training is one of the most useful morning habits women should entertain. Push-ups, resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, or gym machines can all help support muscle, posture, and the everyday strength you require.
16. Add Healthy Fats to Breakfast
Healthy fats can make breakfast feel more satisfying. Avocado on toast, walnuts in oatmeal, chia seeds in yogurt, olive oil on eggs, or peanut butter on whole-grain toast are simple options that don’t take up much time.
17. Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is plain, almost annoyingly plain, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. Try a few slow breaths before opening your laptop, walking into a meeting, or dealing with morning traffic.
18. Get Fresh Air
Fresh air can help shake off the stale feeling that builds up indoors overnight. Open a window while you get dressed, step outside with your coffee, or take the long way to the mailbox if and when you can.
19. Grooming
Many men treat shaving, beard care, or hair styling as a quick confidence step before they leave the house. Women can take the same approach with skincare, hair, a clean sweater, earrings, lip balm, or whatever makes them look and feel their best.
20. Do the Hardest Task Early
The task you keep avoiding usually gets heavier the longer it sits there. Send the awkward email, book the appointment, start the work draft, or do the workout early, and you’ll thank yourself for freeing up the rest of your day.
