I Tried the Mel Robbins Morning Routine For a Week - Here's What I Really Think

Get the Full StoryOne thing about me: I love routine. I'm a creature of habit, thrive on consistency, and find comfort in controlling my day-to-day habits. That being said, I'm always open to refining my routine to make it more efficient and productive. So when my TikTok feed flooded with Mel Robbins' morning routine, I had to see what the fuss was about.

If you're unfamiliar, Mel Robbins is a former lawyer turned bestselling author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. She's a self-help enthusiast, and her book, "The Let Them Theory," is the ultimate guide to living life on your own terms. Most recently, her six-step morning routine took the internet by storm, because as she likes to say, "how you set up your day is typically how it ends up."

So is the Mel Robbins morning routine worth the hype? In the name of science, I put it to the test. Here are my honest thoughts after trying it for a week.

What Is the Mel Robbins Morning Routine?

The Mel Robbins morning routine is a six-step process that Robbins claims will "supercharge your energy all day." Sounds promising, right? Well, here's the breakdown:

Don't hit the snooze button.

Make your bed.

High five yourself in the mirror.

Drink water before you have coffee.

Soak up the morning sunlight.

Move your body.

How I Tackled the Mel Robbins Morning Routine

Step 1: Resist the snooze button and actually get up when your alarm rings.

The first step of Robbins' routine is to get out of bed as soon as your alarm rings, and while I hate to start on a sour note, this step was definitely the hardest part. I know it's not great to kickstart the day by staring at my phone, but transparently, that's what I usually do. I don't necessarily hit snooze, per se, but I do tend to lie there for at least 10 minutes scrolling social media. It's my way of thawing out.

But nope, not anymore. For the last week, I was a rule follower and actually got out of bed when my alarm rang. It was a little jarring at first, but Robbins recommends counting down from five to make the process easier. By day four, I was in the swing of things.

Step 2: Make your bed.

Robbins preaches that making your bed is the "simplest way to practice discipline," and I absolutely agree with her. I've been making my bed every day since elementary school and have no intention of ever stopping. It's a small task, but a freshly made bed sets me up for an organized, orderly day.

When I'm stressed or anxious, I also find that tidying my room in the morning is emotionally regulating. It's something I can control and contributes to a calm energy. Not to mention, there's something to be said about crawling into a freshly made bed after a long day. Try it. Trust me.

Step 3: Give yourself a high five in the mirror.

I will not lie. High-fiving myself in the mirror felt unnecessary. I'm not one for positive affirmations and I usually skip any pat-yourself-on-the-back-type of exercise. But again, in the name of science, I committed to high-fiving myself in the mirror for a week.

Robbins says this step "requires you to focus on self-love and positive reinforcement," and while the concept is sweet, I didn't notice any change or feel any type of way while doing it. It's a harmless practice, but not one I'll stick with.

Step 4: Drink water before you have coffee.

Do I look forward to my morning cold brew? Yes. But do I also understand that I just went seven to nine hours without water and am technically dehydrated? Also, yes. In the past, I did start my day with coffee, but after previously reporting on the benefits of morning hydration, I now drink a large glass of lemon water before any food or caffeine.

Robbins says water in the morning boosts mental performance, and I find this to be true. I feel more alert and awake after downing a glass of water, and I've noticed it keeps me satisfied until lunch without a mid-morning energy crash. Now, if I could just be better about maintaining my water intake the rest of the day...

Step 5: Soak up the morning light.

There's minimal sunlight this time of year in the Midwest, but whether the sun was out or not, I went for a quick walk outside every morning. It was nothing crazy sometimes just one song's worth if I was short on time , but the blast of cold air was undoubtedly refreshing like a cold plunge, of sorts . Robbins explains that, even when it's cloudy, the morning light resets your body clock, improves mental health, and supercharges your energy levels, and she's right. My short morning walk did just that. It was an immediate dopamine boost that physically and mentally woke me up.

Step 6: Move your body.

I don't hate morning exercise, and sometimes I go through phases when I actually prefer it typically in the summer , but generally speaking, I like to work out in the late afternoon. But as Robbins says, "whether it's a walk, a stretch, or a workout, morning movement boosts your mood, clears your mind, and makes you more productive." So, for the last week, I woke up earlier than normal and got moving. I know my body, and my energy levels typically peak later in the day, so I kept my morning movement low impact. I attended an hour-long 7:30 a.m. hot yoga class three of the days, and the other four days I did a 20- to 40-min workout on the FORM app ranging from Pilates to lower-body resistance band burners. Some days I was more tired than others, but I can confidently say I never regret a workout. Whether it was 20 minutes or an hour, I always felt energized, productive, and in a way better mood than when I started.

My Takeaways After a Week of the Mel Robbins Morning Routine

The Mel Robbins morning routine was not vastly different from my own morning routine, but there were certainly some worthwhile takeaways. Going forward, I'll do my best to skip my morning TikTok scroll, and I'll continue to always make my bed and chug a glass of water before anything else. When it works for my schedule, I'll also prioritize morning movement, because I know I'm better for it. As the weather gets nicer, I think I'll combine steps five and six and try exercising outside. Personally, I will not be high-fiving myself in the mirror anymore - but hey, if it works for you, that's great. Embrace it.

Ultimately, I'd say Mel Robbins is onto something. After a week of tackling her six steps for success, I can say it does level-up your morning without being too extreme. At the end of the week, I felt like my mind was clearer, my body was more flexible, and my days were more productive. But you have to find what works for you. My take: If you're looking for an upgraded wellness routine that's still practical, give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose but a more productive morning.

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.

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