Morning routine: the future is yours!

Morning routine, the ultimate promise of an incredible day ahead

Morning routine, miracle morning, beauty routine… These enticing words have taken over our lives, right down to the most intimate spheres. They transform a dull, boring daily routine into something unexpected and fantastic. Truth be told, this rather “bling bling” magic wand is all the rage. The morning routine phenomenon is flooding the Youtube platform with videos, and is also taking pride of place on bookshop shelves. In days gone by, we even unearthed the famous book “The Miracle Morning”, written by Hal Erod, self-proclaimed inspirational speaker and success coach. The program? Become a wonderfully productive being before 8 a.m. (what happiness!).

And when it comes to dodging advice-packed pages or Tik Tok demos, the stars are in. Are we all named Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Marck Zuckerberg or Jessica Alba? Sadly, no. But do we want to know what it’s like to be a celebrity? Of course we do.

● Spreading sunscreen on your skin: a very useful idea if the sun shines on you every day of the year and is likely to damage your skin, or if you’re undergoing medical treatment. Otherwise, you can use moisturizing cream. It’s just as effective, but less harsh on your colleagues’ nostrils.

● Plunging your face into a tub filled with ice cubes: many people recommend this morning gesture (with very little water) for a fresh, luminous complexion. We’re not really in favor of timing, in other words, staying in this position as long as possible. The “cryonics” version of the morning routine at bed’s end is a bit of a start.

● Swallow a tablespoon of oil on an empty stomach to flush out toxins. Then bite into a green bell pepper (mind you, green is all-important) and finish with a slice of cheese: personally, we prefer Nutella toast and a bowl of chicory. More festive in the mouth.

The morning routine is a very simple ritual that needs to be demystified at all costs. Exit the celebrity! Make way for the secrets of deeply human sunrises, which are nothing new.

Time to yourself: no more tyrannical alarm clocks or cold showers

Going against the grain of a standard, clichéd morning routine? You can. Say goodbye to stinging alarm clocks. Forget the torture of a cold shower to drain your lymph and purify your body. There are plenty of daily constraints to contend with. If it’s imposed as an additional pressure, the “morning routine” dream will quickly turn into a nightmare.

You can’t extend daylight hours by an extra 24 hours (if you were a wizard at Hogwarts, we’d know). Nor can you shorten rest periods (we know some people who’ll have a hard time of it if you don’t keep an eye on them). On the other hand, you can totally decide to take action, to learn not to skip the “successful start” box, for a moment all to yourself.

The night before, we suggest a good night’s sleep. Avoid after-work parties that end in tragedy, and concoct a tasty little dish, commonly referred to as “healthy pleasure“. A morning routine requires preparation, but it doesn’t have to be a complicated, unmanageable ordeal – on the contrary! You need to feel the urge to adopt new habits and long-term goals.

Why do you feel so drained, out of nowhere? This incessant need to clear your head, coupled with a feeling of being fed up that’s reached its peak? Before you throw in the towel, take stock of what needs to change. Tracking down worries, regaining energy, boosting productivity… It’s all a question of rhythm!

The best morning routine is the one that never lets you go.

Copying someone else’s morning routine down to the last millimeter? Counterproductive, if you ask us. “Mind your own business” is the credo of a simple and effective morning routine. Focus on the essentials: seemingly basic rituals that will revitalize you, precisely because they’re right for you.

Ready for the great morning routine adventure? Here are a few tips from the editors (don’t thank us, it’s a gift).

● Once you’ve turned off your alarm clock, leave your phone alone (Instagram and Messenger notifications are no exception). Unless you’re a Dracula in the making, the light outside won’t do you any harm. Open the shutters and curtains, presto!

● If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of that ray of sunshine gently creeping in through the window. For one thing, it’s a lot of fun. Two, your vitamin D levels soar.

● The bathroom is our headquarters. If you’re feeling concerned, you can run your face under the water (and without ice cubes). As for brushing your teeth, it’s a bit up to you, but at home, there’s only eucalyptus toothpaste.

● We don’t have the level for the next Ironman competition yet, but we love to go running, headphones plugged into our ears (to the beat of unmentionable playlists) in all weathers. If you’re not a jogger at heart, no problem. Strengthening muscles at home or taking a 30-minute walk are excellent mindfulness exercises… Carpe diem!

● Porridge with banana, honey, peanut butter and chicory: a super combo tested by our team of gourmands. Just what you need to kick-start your day!

● Take a (hot) shower and get dressed? Ultimate joy. Note to teleworkers: if you really don’t want to leave your superb pyjama jogging suit behind, choose a more neutral T-shirt than the Aristochats one, in case of an unexpected video conference.

Every morning routine is different. It has its share of surprises, successes and disappointments. All in all, the morning routine is a powerful morale booster, a challenge in its own right. (And no, you don’t have to climb Kilimanjaro in yoga gear at 4.00am sharp to think about the meaning of life).