We are all familiar with the mad dash in the mornings, aren’t we?

Now throw kids into the mix and morning chaos can wreak havoc for busy moms across the nation – not even mentioning setting the tone for the rest of their day.

It goes without saying that starting your day off right is extremely important, particularly if you’re a busy mom trying to wear all the hats at the same time with success.

You’ll feel rejuvenated and new for the day when you build morning habits that keep you on track for the entire day.

Here are 8 things to do before 8 AM that don’t require taking care of kids and neglecting yourself!

The Best Morning Routine For Busy Moms

1. Start out Warm And Cozy with “Me Time”.

When you get up, indulge in some “me” time. Your morning routine could start with a dose of warm coffee or tea. Whatever you find warm and delicious, dive right on in.

Take time to sip and just enjoy it. It’s the part of the morning when no one is awake yet so you get to sit back and relax. Sit outside if it’s good weather and take slow sips.

2. Delve into some much-needed inspiration.

You don’t need to read an entire book each day but throw in a few pages as part of your morning routine.

There are many CEOs of companies who claim they read at least ten pages a day in the morning. You can also listen to audiobooks, or search your mobile applications for everyday reading and inspiring notes.

If you like to read your Bible, this is a great chance to read a few verses or a chapter. If you want to go a step further than reading a few pages, try to jot a few lines in a journal. There are so many different types of journals if you don’t like the diary style.

You can start a prayer journal, a thankful journal, or just write out things to do in your little journal. Reading and writing are important parts of therapy for our minds. They help us see things in a different light. These things get the mind going each morning.

3. Meditate or Pray.

Take some time to shut out the noise of the world. Whether you choose to meditate or pray, sit in the silence. Shut out the rest of the world only focusing on your thoughts.

This will help you sort out the day and think about things that truly matter. Ponder whatever you feel at this time. This could be thinking about something small like what you’ll have for lunch.

It could mean thinking of the meaning of the world. You could simply sit and pray if you want. Talk to your higher power and reflect on the positive things in your life. This is your time to just be. This is the time away from everyone in your house talking constantly so enjoy each minute in the quiet.

4. Knock one thing off your list that’ll really set you up for the day ahead.

Choose something you don’t really want to do and get it done. This could mean folding laundry, making a doctor’s appointment, or cleaning your toilets. If you put it off, you won’t feel as accomplished.

Make it one of your morning habits to do one thing you don’t enjoy because once you get it done, it’ll be off the to-do list. Remember successful people get things done.

This means you have to face things you don’t want to each day. No one wants to take out the trash or do the dishes. These things just have to get done. The earlier you attack them, the earlier you get to play.

It’s sort of like the same thing you tell the kids about doing their homework. It isn’t fun to adult at all times, but getting it out of the way makes you feel a lot better.

5. Eat Mindfully.

Everyone knows breakfast is the most important part of the day. Busy moms often forget this as they get breakfast ready for the children and slam down some coffee in the morning. Take the time to have a little food for yourself. Fueling up on coffee alone will just leave you crashing mid-morning. You can eat a piece of toast. If you want to really fuel up, make yourself some eggs and a healthy protein. Even something as little as an apple can give you the fuel you need to get to the next meal.

You can nibble on breakfast while you read or with your morning cup of coffee. No one said the things you do in the morning before 8 AM can’t be mixed together. Make sure you take your vitamins each morning with your breakfast. If you don’t take them in the morning, you might notice each night you’re left mad that you totally forgot to take your vitamins.

6. Wake your cells up to get your energy moving.

That means do some sort of movement. Getting in exercise doesn’t mean you need to go run a few miles every morning. It means you can get up and get moving is all. It’s part of a healthy lifestyle to start the day with a little movement. Do some yoga stretches. Jog in place. Do a few jumping jacks. If you have the time and energy, go for a jog around the block. Take the dog for a walk if you get a chance.

Take the time to get the blood pumping through your body. This will give your mind a boost and get your body ready for the day. It’s especially important to get in exercise outside during the warmer months because you might not feel like melting in the sun later. If it’s too cold outside, go for the simple stuff inside.

You can even check out some interactive apps or videos online so you don’t feel like you’re alone in your morning workout. The cherry on top of all of this is that you burn a few extra calories, get your mind going, and don’t have to fret about getting in your movement all day. It’s out of the way, so go play.

Similar: 7 Daily Habits to Help Boost Your Mood

7. Plan Dinner to save you more relaxing time later.

This sounds like such a weird thing to do but it’s important to plan what you’re having for dinner each day. This way you’ll stick to a healthy budget and it won’t be so chaotic for you each night.

If you need to set out meat or plan to grab something at the store later, take the time to think about this. You could even spend a bit of time browsing for the perfect recipe. If you find something great to cook, you can even start to prep it and put it in the fridge. This means things like cutting vegetables, marinating meat, or putting things in containers for later.

It will save you time later so you aren’t stuck cutting onions with people screaming for something in the next room. You’ll be happy that the meat is already marinated so you don’t forget later and shrug your shoulders that it tastes boring. If you know it’s a busy night, plan what you can either prepare in the slow cooker so everyone can grab and go, or plan where you’ll grab food while you’re out that day.

You’ll be thankful that you’re not left standing in front of the pantry later that night while everyone is tugging at you with their “hangry” faces.

8. Don’t forget to do some ‘Mom Stuff’ to stay extra organized.

It’ll make you feel great to get things done for the kids before they wake up. You can get their lunches together for the day. Write a sweet note for each lunchbox. You can even start breakfast for the kids so they have a nice positive surprise to start their day.

You know after the quiet of the morning preparation they’ll wake up and it’ll be wild. Get ready for the exciting time of waking them up. If your kids are little, set out their clothes and have everything ready for them so they’ll get out the door on time.

“Mom Stuff” is just anything that can get done for the day without the kids being up and bothering you.

Maybe you need to go through their folders from school. Maybe you need to sign a few forms. Maybe you just need to check in on them to make sure they don’t need anything throughout the day.

Kids don’t usually realize moms work overtime for them. They’re always working behind the scenes to make sure the kids have a nice day. Heaven knows that if you didn’t make their lunch, they would just pack a soda and cookies.

If you didn’t give them breakfast, they would pick up a candy bar and kool-aid on the way to school. And, if you didn’t shake them awake for school, they would just sleep until noon. Moms are truly unsung heroes!

Getting in a routine before 8 AM doesn’t have to be hard. Make it a part of your healthy lifestyle to get up and prepare yourself emotionally and physically for the day. Soon you won’t even notice life was ever any different. Get out there and rule the day!

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