How to Create a Perfect Morning and Night Routine

Welcome back, Happy Army!

We’ve talked about my morning and night routines, but what about yours? And where do we even start with all of this?

What do we need in a morning routine?

How is it different from an evening routine?

How do I know when a morning or night routine contains too many habits or too little?

It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

True story: three years ago, if you’d asked me about my morning or evening routines, I would’ve just laughed and said, “What routines?” 

And it showed. I was all over the place—emotionally, energetically, and even physically. My health was in the gutter, I had zero direction or drive, I was just going through the motions of whatever life threw my way.

Then everything changed when my boyfriend came into the picture. Why? Because that man’s routines were rock solid.

I didn’t know where to start, so I just copied what he did until I was ready to figure out what worked best for me with the help of the Fabulous app.

And now, I have turned a complete 180°! The stability, the self-care, the sense of direction—it was everything I didn’t know I needed to become the person I am today.

Now it’s your turn! I’m going to show you, step by step, how to create your own routines.

In this post, we are gonna talk about:

• Why routines matter

• Habits to add in your morning routine

• Habits to add in your night routine

• Making these habits yours

• Resources to help stick to your habits

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I posted my morning ritual and night ritual as well if you're like me and prefer to have an example! Click on the links to learn more!

Let's get started on building those routines!

Why Routines Matter

I insist on routines everywhere I go, and I promise there is a reason.

Life is super unpredictable and messy.

Crazy things happen all the time, and we somehow need to be able to respond to it quickly. So how is anyone's brain going to be able to keep track of everything, including being able to take care of yourself?

Trick question: you can't.

This is why we need routines. Routines help give a sense of structure when everything else feels up in the air. When done right, they don’t just keep you organized—they help you build habits that stick, boost your energy, and make you feel like you’ve got this whole “adulting” thing down.

Taking care of yourself shouldn't require extra brain power. You deserve to relax, let your healthy habits run on autopilot, while you focus on what you actually want to focus on.

Let's start with the morning routine.

The Perfect Morning Routine

Most people fall into the trap of needing the perfect morning routine, but that's simply not the case.

It’s about finding simple habits that make you feel energized and ready to tackle the day, and that is different for everyone.

That being said, I highly suggest incorporating these tips when creating your morning ritual:

• Wake Up (Without the Snooze Button)

Set your alarm for a consistent time—even on weekends. Waking up early gives you a quiet head start on the day (and maybe even a rare moment of peace before the chaos kicks in).

What time should you wake up? That depends on your body type. Kapha body types thrive when they’re up by 4:30 a.m., while pitta body types should aim for 5:30 a.m.

Now, if you’d asked me three years ago, I would’ve said, “5:00am? That's a joke, right?” But once I started waking up earlier, I realized just how worth it those extra morning hours really are.

I get so much more done, my mornings feel calm and relaxing instead of frantic, my sleep improved, and I genuinely feel healthier!

Is it hard at first? Absolutely. But now, I wouldn't trade those morning hours for anything.

I wake up at 6am because my body is predominately Vata, but if you want to know what time would be best for you to wake up, check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!

• Hydrate Like a Pro

First things first: water.

When we are sleeping, we don't touch water for at least 7 hours. The results? Waking up feeling like a dried-up raisin! I wouldn't want to get out of bed feeling that way. Let alone keeping up with a routine.

Drinking water first thing in the morning changes that, though!

I can feel my body coming to life, as if my brain goes pop! It’s like waking up from the inside out—my energy starts to flow, and if makes it so much easier to spring out of bed.

To make it easier, keep a nice water bottle by your bedside. I use this one, but if you prefer drinking hot water, I really like this water bottle.

Any kind of ritual is just a series of habits- and we all know how hard habits are to create! Even if it is just drinking water in the morning. It took me 5 years just to get some of the habits down. The Fabulous app, though, saved me 2 whole years of workshopping my routines! It's like a best friend that holds you accountable while lifting you up at the same time! They use science-backed behavioral economics to help build up habits gradually rather than expecting perfection from the get-go! This app really did change my life, and I think it can do the same for you! So please, do yourself a favor—click the link and check it out! Just so you know, the first habit that you'll learn to implement is to drink water in the morning!

• Take a Refreshing Shower

Yes, showing prevents us from smelling funky for the rest of the day, but the practice has more to do with getting rid of any remnants of sleep.

It can do wonders for waking up your senses and starting the day feeling fresh and invigorated.

Bonus: For your shower routine, you can pick a scent that helps balance your specific dosha!

Now when I shower, I do a mini sequence of using my water flosser and my neti pot. Check out my post on my morning routine to learn more!

• Move Your Body

Stretch, dance, or take a brisk walk. Even five minutes of movement can work wonders to maintain your health.

Now, I'm a yoga teacher, specifically hatha yoga, so I do yoga every morning. And I suggest you giving it a try as well.

Check out my posts Unveiling the Ancient Origins of Hatha Yoga and The Benefits of Hatha Yoga to get more information on the practice, and some resources to get some extra knowledge in! 

Soon, I will post my very own yoga course: The Foundations of Flow, where I will walk you through 8 beginner classes to begin your yoga practice! So keep an eye out for that coming out in 2025!

• Time for Reflection

Meditation, journaling, or even jotting down three things you’re grateful for can set a positive tone for the day. (And no, you don’t have to sit cross-legged and chant “om” unless you want to!).

Personally, I love reflecting on the Bhagavad Gita or listening to the Fabulous Daily Coaching audio—it’s what works best for me. But honestly, you can choose anything that resonates with you.

The key is finding something that helps you feel grounded and focused.

• Fuel Up with a Wholesome Breakfast

Breakfast is non-negotiable. Skipping breakfast is like hitting fast-forward on starvation mode, and that is the best way to mess with our metabolism.

A combo of protein, whole grains, and some fresh fruit or veggies will keep you powered up.

If you're having trouble finding recipes that are right for your body type (I definitely did!), make sure you get The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirsagar. It’s got so many amazing recipes based off of your body type and even has a quiz to help you start a 30-day reset tailored to your dosha! I make every single one of these recipes, and they are a 10/10! Perfect for kicking off 2025 with renewed energy.

• Map Out Your Day

Take a minute to review your schedule, prioritize your tasks, and set a few goals. It helps to focus your mind and give a path to your day.

Now that we have our Morning Ritual guidelines, let's move on to the Evening Ritual!

The Perfect Evening Routine

I’m not the only one who just wants to plop into bed after a long day of work—but when we do that, we bring our stress with us.

A relaxing night routine helps us:

• reduce stress by giving us time to decompress

• create positive associations with our resting space

• maintain a healthy sleep cycle

All of which help us fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply, so we wake up feeling refreshed.

So here are some tips to do exactly that.

Any kind of ritual is just a series of habits- and we all know how hard habits are to create! It took me 5 years just to get some of my night routine habits down. The Fabulous app, though, saved me 2 whole years of workshopping my routines! It's like a best friend that holds you accountable while lifting you up at the same time! They use science-backed behavioral economics to help build up habits gradually rather than expecting perfection from the get-go! This app really did change my life, and I think it can do the same for you! So please, do yourself a favor—click the link and check it out!

• Say Goodbye to Screens

Turn off your phone or laptop at least an hour before bed. Blue light messes with your sleep hormones, and scrolling Instagram at midnight is really bad for our mental health.

I try to go screen-free by 9 p.m., but if I do use my phone (only for the Fabulous app), I make sure to turn on the blue light filter. The red screen takes a little getting used to, but it's worth it to get good night’s sleep.

• Dim the Lights

Lower the lighting in your space to cue your brain that it’s time to relax.

Bonus points for candles or fairy lights for an extra cozy touch!

I usually just turn on my side lamp instead of the main light in my room. It creates a softer, cozier vibe that helps me wind down for the night.

• Do Something Calming

I am a huge bookworm, so you’ll usually find me nose-deep in a fantasy novel every evening. But this is all about what relaxes you, and what brings you joy!

Whether it’s reading, listening to relaxing music, or soaking in a warm bath, choose an activity that makes you feel calm and content.

• Give Yourself an Oil Massage

Before slipping into my comfiest PJs, I treat myself to a quick oil massage. I promise you, once you try it you will never go back!

My skin gets the nourishment it craves (the next day, it’s so soft and hydrated—it’s amazing), my muscles completely relax, and since I use sesame oil, it warms up my perpetually cold body. Bliss!

If you're curious to know what kind of oil would be best for you, we first need to figure out your dosha. Check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!

• Prep for Tomorrow

This step is all about setting yourself up for future success!

Lay out your outfit, pack your bag, or do a quick meal prep for the next day’s lunch. It’s a small step that makes your morning infinitely smoother.

My prep for tomorrow includes selecting and steaming my clothes and soaking almonds. Knowing that everything is ready to make my morning smooth and stress-free makes it so much easier to sleep peacefully throughout the night.

With my breakfast and outfit prepped, I can start the day without scrambling or wasting time.

I got this clothes steamer—and it is amazing! Not only does it smooth out wrinkles effortlessly, but it also gets rid of dust, germs, and pretty much anything else lurking in your clothes.

Seriously, I highly recommend it! This steamer is my everything.

• Reflect and Let Go

Take a moment to think about what went well during the day, what could be improved, and then let go of any worries. Gratitude journaling can work wonders here too.  

Being a very work-driven person, I tend to measure how good a day was by how much I accomplished. If it was a productive day, I like to reflect on what set me up for success and think about how I can replicate that. If the day didn’t go as planned, I look for lessons or patterns I can learn from.

If you ever feel stuck on what to write, the Fabulous app has some incredible prompts I’d highly recommend. The prompts are tailored to where you are in your Fabulous journey, so you can track your progress and watch yourself adapt and evolve into the best version of yourself. I genuinely use this app every single day, so I know you are going to love it! Click the link and give it a try!

• Stick to a Bedtime

Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep and stick to a consistent bedtime—consistency is key. When your body adjusts to a steady circadian rhythm, your sleep quality improves dramatically!

According to Ayurveda, the best time to sleep is between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., allowing your body to rest and recharge in harmony with its natural rhythms.

For Vata body types, going to sleep between 9:30–10:00 p.m. helps ground their super active minds and bodies, allowing for truly restful sleep.

Pitta body types should aim to be asleep by 10:00–10:30 p.m.—especially since the Pitta time of night kicks in again around 10:00 p.m., which can lead to that infamous “second wind” of energy. Sleeping before that helps prevent burnout and supports deeper, more restorative rest.

Kapha body types benefit from going to bed a little earlier, around 9:00–9:30 p.m. Since Kaphas already have a lot of grounding earth energy, they tend to need more sleep than the other types. Sleeping a bit earlier keeps them light, refreshed, and energized the next day.

Make It Yours: Personalizing Your Routine

While it’s super helpful to use someone else’s routine as a guide, especially when you’re just starting out, the best routines are the ones that truly fit you.

Once you’re comfortable, start making adjustments to create a routine that works best for your needs. Experiment with what feels right, ditch what doesn’t, and tweak things along the way.

The goal isn’t to add another overwhelming “to-do” list—it’s to build a routine that makes you feel good and supports your well-being.

I'd be lying if I said I created this routine by myself with my own willpower. I utilized everything the Fabulous app gave me in order for me to get to the point I'm at now. What really helped me want to stick to my routine was their streak feature, where they keep track of how many consecutive days I stuck to my routine! This app really helps build consistency and makes it easy to create healthy habits—even the ones that take the most effort! Try it out, and I guarantee you’ll be on your way to living your best life in no time! If it worked for me, it can work for you!

Wrapping It Up: Small Steps, Big Impact

And that's it! That's how you create a morning and night routine!

It's all about coming up with a plan, keeping it simple, and keeping it personal. You should love your routine! A morning and night routine is all about self-love, not self-punishment.

Just take it slow. You don’t need to start with a dreamy, elaborate routine right away. Even something as simple as drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning counts.

That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!