4AM Morning Routine You'll Love Waking Up To

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This 4am morning routine will help you get a headstart on your day and make the most of the fresh morning hours.

I’ve been on a 4am morning routine for the past two months, and this post is meant to inspire some souls out there to give this thing a try.

I know what some of you might be thinking:

This girl is crazy! I’m not getting up at 4 freaking am. Who in their right mind does that?!

That’s okay if you have no interest in waking up at 4 am.

I know this thing is not for everyone. Heck, it isn’t a permanent deal for me either. I am not a regular member of the 4am club by any means.

But somehow my routine keeps coming back to this wake-up time and whenever it happens, I feel like I am a completely different person.

There’s magic, power, and a little bit of insanity in the act of waking up at 4am.

It’s the ultimate girl boss habit that can really change your routine life and how you approach your day-to-day tasks.

But how do you pull off an early morning routine like this without hating your mornings?

The secret behind acing a 4am morning routine is to do the right things in the right order.

You can’t just roll out of bed, grab your cup of coffee, and stumble to your computer desk. That would make even the chirpiest person cranky.

The 4am morning routine that I follow makes me actually want to leave my bed and look forward to the next hour of the morning.

It’s designed to cater to all areas of your life — wellness, self-care, productivity, and your career — without overdoing anything.

So, if you’re even a wee bit curious and interested in creating a successful 4am morning routine (that doesn’t stink), then read on.

(P.S: You’ll find a printable checklist for this morning routine at the end of this post, so make sure to grab that before you leave.)

My 4AM Morning Routine That Anyone Can Adopt

1. Start With Hydration

The first thing I do when I roll out of bed at 4am is head straight to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Hydration is key to waking up your body and mind. It’s like hitting the reset button after hours of sleep.

Drinking water first thing not only wakes you up but also kickstarts your metabolism.

You can even add a slice of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra boost.

Keep a glass or bottle of water by your bed to make this step super easy.

Whether you end up going for this particular morning routine or not, take away this first tip for all your future mornings.

Instead of reaching for your coffee mug, start your day with a tall glass of water. Your body will thank you.

2. Tidy Up Yourself And Your Space

Once you’ve had your water, head to the bathroom to clean yourself up.

Wash your face, brush your teeth, and run an ice roller on your face (it will wake up right up).

Brush your hair, apply a light face moisturizer, and roll on a lip balm.

Head back to your room and spend the next few minutes tidying up your space. Make your bed, put away any stray items, and spruce things up.

This little bit of tidying will help you get moving and give you a sense of control over your life.

You’ll feel more organized and ready to face the coming day.

3. Do A House Chore

The first two steps of your morning routine should take you about 30 minutes if you go at a soft pace.

Once you’re done with that, I suggest picking up a house chore before doing anything else.

You can tackle a big chore if you’re up for it or stick to something small.

This is to give yourself some momentum and a sense of achievement first thing in the morning. You’ll have one less thing to worry about later in the day.

Here are some chores you can go for super early in the morning:

Take out the trash
Sweep the floor
Do your laundry
Wipe down the kitchen counters
Empty the dishwasher
Fold your laundry
Water your plants

I personally do my laundry in the morning. Surprisingly, it’s actually enjoyable in the early morning hours.

Consider me an oddball for saying this, but the sound of the water whirring inside the machine can be soothing when you’re in no hurry to get somewhere.

And oh, don’t forget to tune into some music or a feel-good podcast. Romanticizing your first chore of the day is the way to enjoy your mornings, trust me.

4. Pour Yourself Some Coffee And A Light Snack

At about 5 or 5:30, I pour myself a nice cup of coffee and pair it with a light snack, like a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts.

This little ritual is something you’ll look forward to every morning. It’ll be your moment of indulgence and relaxation before the hustle begins.

The light snack will fuel your body without weighing you down, and the coffee… well, it’s coffee!

While it isn’t recommended to drink coffee right after waking up, you are safe to have your first cup after an hour or two. If you’re not a coffee person, tea works just as well.

The idea is to have a drink and a treat that you enjoy and can savor with the next part of the routine, which is self-care!

Important post: 11 Bad Morning Habits You Need To Quit

5. Get Into A Blissful Zone With Self-Care

With your coffee in hand, move to your morning self-care zone.

This can be a quick meditation session in the living room, journaling on your table, or simply sitting quietly on your balcony and enjoying the stillness.

This time should be all about centering yourself and setting a positive intention for the day. A way of saying good morning to your soul, if you will.

Even just 10 minutes of self-care can transform your mindset and energy.

You can also read a chapter of a self-help book, indulge in a hobby, or pamper yourself by painting your nails.

Depends on what you’re in the mood for and what you need from yourself on that day, which is what self-care is all about.

6. Tackle A Task That Requires Focus

With coffee and self-care in your system, you should be ready to tackle a demanding task.

This could be writing, working on a project, or studying a difficult chapter.

The quiet of the early morning is perfect for deep work. Without the usual daytime distractions, you can get a lot done in a short amount of time.

That’s why this is my most productive hour of the day and it’s when I get most of my writing done.

Think about what tasks you can do that require your undivided attention and try tackling them first thing.

It could be brainstorming ideas for a project, planning your day, or working on a hobby you’re passionate about.

Use this time to make meaningful progress and take some load off your daily schedule.

7. Get Some Movement In

If you’d prefer to do your workouts early on in the routine, feel free to switch things up.

I’ve already experimented with this and I feel better stepping on my exercise mat after ticking off my morning chore, self-care, and focus task.

There’s less stress about impending tasks this way and whatever of it is remaining goes away as I start sweating.

You could go for a walk or a run, hit the gym, do a home workout, or even go cycling.

Mindfulness lovers can use this time to stretch and do yoga.

Even if you’re not in the mood for something heavy, spend at least 10-15 minutes moving your body.

Your 4am morning routine would be incomplete without it.

8. Take Your Shower

There’s nothing quite like a refreshing shower to wash away any lingering sleepiness and fully wake up your senses.

It’s a moment to relax, heal, and recharge your whole system.

Plus, it’s a great opportunity to think about the day ahead and mentally prepare yourself.

Whether you prefer a quick rinse or a leisurely soak, take a shower in the morning to transition from your morning routine to the rest of your day.

Don’t forget your post-shower skincare routine. Toning, moisturizing and sunscreen are the least you can do to show love to your skin.

9. Make Your Breakfast

After all that early morning activity, your body needs a hearty and nutritious breakfast.

I love making a cheese omelet or just two boiled eggs with a bowl of fruit.

A protein-rich breakfast makes my gut really happy and strong, but find what works best for you.

Maybe you’re an avocado toast fan or love a good bowl of overnight oats, or scrambled eggs with veggies and a glass of smoothie?

Take your time preparing your morning meal and enjoy it in quiet or while watching the news or someone motivating on YouTube.

10. Plan Your Day

We’re down to the last step of this morning routine. Going good so far, right? Let’s finish off strong by planning your day.

Use a daily planner (my preferred method) or a digital tool like Google Calendars to organize your schedule.

Prioritize your tasks in order of importance and urgency, break down your big tasks into smaller steps, and allocate specific time slots for each.

Also, most people don’t do this, but it’s really important to schedule time for breaks and self-care to avoid burnout.

At last, take a moment to set specific intentions for the day.

It could be something like “Today, I will stay patient and calm” or “I will complete my work with focus and dedication.”

You’ll have more confidence and clarity throughout the day, and all your goals will be more likely to be accomplished.

A Commonly Asked Question

A common question I get asked a lot about this morning routine is this my bedtime.

“If you’re waking up so freaking early, when do you go to bed?”

My answer is always — 9pm or 10pm at max, and sometimes even 8 if I’m feeling sleepy by then.

This is the part where people throw up their hands and say that just won’t be possible for them, and I get why.

People these days are used to going to bed really late. Nobody I know sleeps before 11 at night.

But the key to making this happen is to shift your bedtime routine earlier.

Meaning, have your dinner early, start winding down early, and adjust everything in such a way so that you’re not straight falling to bed after finishing your work.

This, again, isn’t appealing to most. But if you’re starting your day early, you’ll naturally be ending it early as well. You can’t have it both ways.

Either stick with the late bedtime routine or wake up early and conquer the day (I’m clearly biased at the moment).

4AM Morning Checklist Printable

Here’s a cute printable you can download or pin for later!

You can print some copies of this and use it to make your 4am morning routine interesting, or use your tablet or phone to tick off the tasks and re-use the checklist every day.

Hope you like it!

Final Thoughts On 4AM Morning Routine

A 4am wake-up time doesn’t suit everyone. It depends on your individual lifestyle, work schedules, and personal preferences.

Some people thrive on early mornings and find that this time aligns well with their natural energy peaks, while others may struggle and find it counterproductive.

It’s important to consider your own body’s rhythms, responsibilities, and social commitments before committing to such an early start.

But one thing I will say is that do try it once before you rule it out.

As I said, even I am not regular with getting up at 4am, but whenever I do it, it feels freaking amazing, and that’s the only reason I need to keep coming back.

Have fun personalizing this 4am morning routine and enjoy the bliss of being an early riser!

4AM Morning Routine You’ll Love Waking Up To