Mel Robbins morning routine is not about being a perfect morning person, but about building small, real habits that set the tone for the day. When she wakes, she avoids the snooze button, skips doom-scrolling on her phone, and instead drinks green smoothies, journals about gratitude, and enjoys the quiet as the sun rises. I’ve tried this myself—those first few minutes of not deciding to roll back into sleep can instantly shift your mood, mindset, and even self-worth.
Instead of frantically rushing through chaotic mornings or feeling anxious, her practical steps create confidence, calm, and better productivity. She might check an interest like a podcast episode rather than a late-night TikTok video from 11 p.m. Her advice feels honest, not lecturing, showing how consistently pairing small wellness habits—like a 5 a.m. workout class—with what you enjoy can make you feel energized, ready, and committed to a healthier lifestyle.
Get up when the alarm rings
Mel Robbins often shares that the best way to start the day is to get up when the alarm rings—no lounging, no lying in bed, and definitely no overthink. I once set my alarm earlier on a Saturday, and instead of wasting time, I followed her 5-4-3-2-1 counting down process. This simple approach made getting up easier, kept anxiety and depression from getting worse, and gave me momentum for the rest of the day.
Robbins recommends using this necessary shift to avoid losing extra minutes in bed. I noticed that when I woke at 7 a.m., I completed small tasks earlier, felt more productive overall, and even had time to work out, volunteer, and tackle things I had been avoiding. That day, I managed all six steps, met a high challenge, and truly worked through a productive day.
Make your bed
Mel Robbins often says that one of the simplest ways to start your morning strong is to make your bed. I’ll admit, I’ve recently been slacking on this routine, but the past week I decided to change. The time it takes is so short, yet the motivation it gives is huge—a promise kept, no matter how small. As Robbins suggests, this making and cleaning habit is like a mental wake, a practice of discipline you gift yourself before the day really begins. I even shared my progress on TikTok just to keep myself accountable.
One morning, I mustered the energy to do it and noticed after just a day or two how my room felt more put-together. That satisfying feeling of walking into a space you’ve cared for is underrated. I loved seeing my room as a great place to be, whether I was starting my day or when I returned home at night. This small change made a real difference to my routine. Sure, some people roll their eyes, but that’s because they haven’t felt the quiet shift that making your bed possibly brings.
Mel encourages people to tidy their bed immediately, treating it as the first win of the day. It’s a bonus that your brain gets a message: “You can complete things, you can take care of your space, you have control.” This habit creates a visual sense of order in a world that can feel messy and stressful. A neat bed becomes a quiet reminder that I’m taking care of myself. It’s a micro-habit that packs a punch—a small act of self-respect that’s worth stacking with other good habits.
High-five yourself in the mirror
When I first heard about Mel Robbins saying we should literally give ourselves a high-five in the mirror every morning, I laughed at the weirdness. But then I realized it’s actually genius—there’s science behind how our brain connects such a kind, playful gesture with encouragement, celebration, and positivity. It doesn’t just brighten the lights in your head; it changes the way you look at yourself.
Normally, when we look in the mirror, we immediately focus on flaws, to-do lists, or worries—which interrupts our mindset with negativity. This little step shifts that pattern. It’s like giving your human self a quick pep talk: “You’re doing great.” You might feel a bit silly at first, but it works. Robbins even shared how adding positive affirmations, verbally speaking them aloud to your reflection, or writing them on Post-Its and placing them where you can see them every day, makes a difference.
This habit doesn’t require much—just a little self-love, reinforcement, and the willingness to self-motivate in a different way than your usual routine. Think of it as a mental switch—a cool, fairly easy move that turns an awkward moment into a necessary boost. You’re not just doing a quirky thing; you’re rewiring your brain to choose positivity over negativity, and that’s worth every single high-five.
Drink water before you drink anything else.
When you wake up, the very first step in Mel Robbins morning routine is drinking water before anything else, which helps your body feel hydrated after a night’s rest and boosts your mental performance throughout the day. You may notice changes in how you feel, often better and more full of energy, even if this habit is familiar or something you usually skip, because it can curb craving and set the tone for the day — a tip many share on TikTok.
Move your body
Mel Robbins often says that movement is a game-changer, and I’ve seen it work in my own life too. As step five in her routine, she encourages you to wake up a bit early—even before 8 a.m.—to walk, stretch, or dive into a quick workout. Whether it’s pilates, cardio, or strength training at the gym, these scheduled workouts not only boosts your mood but also clears your mind, helping you feel more productive for the day ahead. I used to skip mornings and push exercise to the evenings, but merging movement with my morning routine has given me more energy to tackle tasks and has led to results that go far beyond fitness—making me more of a morning person and setting the tone to lead the day with focus.
