Julia Childs Heyl, MSW
Mon, July 13, 2026 at 3:50 PM UTC
Key Takeaways
Mood-boosting morning rituals can support your emotional, physical, or creative well-being
Habits like laughter, quiet time, sunlight exposure, and creative work may help people feel more energized and balanced
The most effective morning routines often address a personal need, such as stress, fatigue, or lack of creativity
Morning rituals have become a cornerstone of overall wellness. It isn’t uncommon to hear everyone from your boss to celebrities herald their morning routines as a reason they’re successful. While drinking hot lemon water, exercising, and <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>meditation are typical morning go-tos, we became interested in learning more about the uncommon routines people use in those precious first ten minutes of the morning.
We talked to five different people with widely varying occupations, ranging from a writer to a massage therapist to a professional skateboarder. Some of their morning rituals were unique twists on tried-and-true go-tos, while others were ones we had never considered
1. Talk To Your Pets
Joey*, a writer, shared that their morning routine is simple: They drink coffee and talk to their cats
“I think that because I spend a lot of my day on my computer looking at the screen for writing and stuff, it’s lovely to start my day interacting with these sweet furry creatures,” they explained
Watching their cats play offers Joey a respite from screentime. And it has another benefit: “They make me laugh,” Joey said. Laughter has been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress. “Cats are very funny, so there’s also something grounding about enjoying the humor of it all.”
2. Embrace a Spiritual Interest
Lily is a creative director and astrologer. When it comes to prepping for work days, she relies on classic methods like drinking hot lemon water and going for a long walk with her dog. However, she digs into a different routine on the weekends. “I usually like to start my leisurely days with a spiritual mental component,” she shared. She’ll light a candle, pull a tarot card, and journal
Her final step is to review the day’s astrological aspects. “It feels great to start my day like this because there is a depth to it that I really love,” she said
It’s important to note that Lily uses astrology as a supportive tool for self-reflection or to understand how she might experience the day, rather than as a be-all end-all oracle. Using astrology to predict the future, or relying on astrological aspects as definitive information, can increase stress. As with all things, moderation is key
3. Sit in Complete Silence
Leeann is a massage therapist. This means her job isn’t only physically demanding; it can be emotionally taxing too. That’s why she observes a period of complete silence in the morning. She’s not meditating, reading, drinking coffee—she is just still
“Being in a client-based business, you’re constantly chatting. I have to adjust myself to other people’s tone, and that can be exhausting,” she shared. Her quiet mornings refill her cup so she seldom feels depleted at the end of the day
This practice was prompted by Leeann’s partner’s morning ritual. Her partner, also a massage therapist, wakes up and cleans their entire home, which helps her start the day with a clean slate. She also prefers quiet while she cleans, which led Leann to sit quietly with herself in the mornings. Leann soon realized it was the perfect dynamic for them, and the perfect morning practice for her
4. Look Out the Window and Get Some Sun
It is well known that getting some sun in the morning can increase melatonin production and make for much better sleep in the evening. But some people can’t seem to get out of bed early enough for a morning walk. If you fall into that category, then this suggestion is for you
Mike, a retired professional skateboarder, isn’t a morning person. He lives in a condo, so he doesn’t have a backyard he can walk out into to get some sun. Instead, he brushes his teeth, drinks a large glass of water, and stands by the brightest window. By basking in the light, he finds himself getting more energy. While getting direct sunlight is probably ideal, this is the next best thing
5. Take Some Time to Be Creative
Katie, a writer and producer, is doing all the right things in the morning: Meditation, water, and exercise. She also dedicates 1-2 hours of her mornings to writing
While some may focus on journaling and gratitude lists, Katie focuses on her creative projects, like a feature film she’s writing. “I feel like I get a little dopamine boost,” explains Katie. “It makes me much happier because I’ve carved out time for my creative work.”
How To Take Your Mornings to the Next Level
Every person we interviewed had one thing in common: They all found a specific way to meet a key personal need
To level up your mornings, tap into what you feel the most depleted by at the end of the day. Maybe it’s socializing, or not having time for a creative project, or not being able to sleep. Whatever it is, see how you can counteract that with one simple act first thing in the morning. Use that as the foundation for your new and improved morning routine.
*All names have been changed
Read the original article on Verywell Mind
