This 10-Step Digital Nomad Morning Routine Will Change Your Life

Your morning determines the quality of your day, so it’s important to start it off right.

When you’re constantly on the road it might seem impossible to develop some sort of routine.

But don’t worry – it is possible, it just takes a bit of motivation and habit.

Here is my 10-step digital nomad morning routine that has dramatically boosted my health, creativity and productivity.

The Ultimate Digital Nomad Morning Routine

1. Wake up early

What does Richard Brandson, Tony Robbins, Barack Obama and Dwayne Johnson have in common, except being hugely successful and rich?

They are all early risers! Waking up early gives you a headstart.

Let’s face it, if you were trying to do your morning routine during the day you would get constantly distracted by loud cars, kids yelling, phone calls etc.

Waking up early is also good for your health and normalizes your body clock. Currently I wake up around 6.30-7am but my goal is to wake up before dawn, around 5.30am.

2. Tongue scraping

Tongue scraping is an ancient Indian practise to remove built-up toxins and bacteria on your tongue.

According to the Ayurvedic texts, the Charaka Samhita, tongue scrapers should be made of gold, silver, copper, tin, or brass.

My tongue scraper is made of stainless steel, which is another good option as it is considered to be balancing for all Ayurvedic constitutions (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and imbalances. I bought mine at an Ayurveda store in my hometown.

3. Brush teeth

Some people think it’s weird that I brush my teeth first thing in the morning. The reason I do this is because acid found in the lemon and fruit I ingest every morning softens the enamel, and brushing softened enamel can damage it.

4. Warm lemon water

After brushing my teeth I drink a big glass of warm lemon water. We all wake up dehydrated in the morning so this will replace fluids lost by our body.

It also balances pH-levels, aids digestion, clears the skin and cleanses your system.

Make sure to drink another glass of water without lemon before you move on with your routine, to flush away the acid that can otherwise damage your teeth long-term.

5. Move

I do a few stretches or yoga poses to warm up my body for the day, such as neck rolls, cat/cow or a few sun salutations.

6. Pranayama (yogic breathing practise)

Supercharge your body every morning with prana/life energy by doing some pranayama exercises. This has been an essential part of my morning routine ever since I did my yoga teacher training in Nepal last year.

My favourite is alternate nostril breathing which soothes the nervous system and balances your hormones. I also feel it calms my overactive mind and therefore a must before I meditate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH3n55NnJg8

7. Meditate

Meditate for at least 10 minutes every morning. I keep it very simple – I sit down, close my eyes, clear my mind and focus on my breathing. I use the app Insight Timer as a timer. They also have hundreds of free guided meditations.

8. Gratitude

Gratitude is an essential part of building happiness, so every morning I write down at least 3 things I am grateful for. I use the free app Zest – Best Gratitude Journal for Android.

9. Breakfast

I usually start my day with a green smoothie to alkalize and hydrate my body and a filling oat porridge.

10. Work

The morning is the most productive time of the day for me and I get so much more done by starting my work in the morning.

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This is the routine I do every morning that has completely transformed my life.

However, adopting a 10-step morning routine is not easy. If you don’t have a morning routine yet, I would therefore recommend to start slowly and build up one habit at a time.

If you have troubles waking up early, I suggest you start with an evening routine to prepare your brain and body for sleep. You can read my evening routine here.

Let me know in the comments how you start your mornings!