As Americans, we live in a fast-paced culture where time is viewed as a precious commodity that must be maximized at every point of every day. But constantly rushing through your daily routines will leave you feeling worn, frazzled, and depleted.
There’s something to be said for slowing down and being more purposeful in your routines. For men, this starts with an intentional morning grooming ritual.
What’s the Hurry?
If you skim the internet for advice on how to maximize productivity throughout your day, you’ll come across plenty of content on morning routines. However, almost all of the advice is focused on how you can streamline your mornings, speed up processes, and check off more boxes on your to-do list.
While there’s nothing wrong with morning productivity, there’s something to be said for slowing down and adopting a purposeful approach. In doing so, you’ll be far more present.
“When you are more present, you are more able to respond to any situation, challenge, or opportunity that life presents,” life coach Nicola Albini writes. “Being present also means that you’re able to ‘receive’ insights and to calm down our nervous system.”
Other benefits of a slow morning routine include better problem-solving ability, greater fulfillment, and increased mental stability.
6 Ways to Slow Down Your Morning Grooming Routine
Women usually have some sort of grooming routine. For most men, this isn’t the case. The average guy rolls out of bed and tries to get ready as quickly as possible. But it’s time to implement some strategic speed bumps and adopt a more thoughtful approach. These tips will help:
1. Go to Bed On Time
A smart morning routine starts the night before. If you go to bed four hours before your alarm clock is set to go off, you’ll find it challenging to get out of bed with enough time to adopt a thoughtful pace. By hitting the hay at a decent hour, you’ll feel more receptive to a slow morning.
2. Brush, Floss, and Rinse
After getting out of bed, start your morning off with a little oral care. Thorough brushing, flossing, and rinsing will help wake you up and help you feel fresh and vibrant.
3. Shower and Condition
The next step is to take a shower. While we all love a steaming hot shower, try dialing the temperature back a bit. Research shows that a cold shower is far better for your skin. (It’ll also wake you up quicker.)
“Cold temperature decreases transepidermal water loss, contributing to better skin hydration,” dermatologist Dr. Terrence Keaney writes. “Cold temperature also reduces your skin’s sensitivity to irritants.”
You’ll also want to come up with a schedule for when you wash your hair. While it’s a good idea to wet and rinse your hair daily, excessive use of shampoo will strip your hair of important oils. Use a conditioning product on a daily basis, but try shampooing every second or third day.
4. Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliation should be integrated into your morning grooming routine for a couple of reasons. First off, it helps remove the dead skin on your face and gives you a better surface for shaving. Secondly, it feels great. Consistently exfoliating will take your morning grooming ritual to the next level.
5. Wet Shave
These days, most guys quickly shave in the shower or use an electric razor to knock down their facial hair – but nothing beats a clean wet shave. There’s something very personal and delicate about gliding a razor across your skin and transitioning from prickly to smooth. A quality safety razor is ideal for a close shave. You’ll also want to pick up quality shaving cream and aftershave, which can significantly impact the experience.
6. Style Your Hair
Finally, you’re ready to style your hair. Take a few minutes to run a comb through your mane and run a quality product through your hair. You don’t need anything fancy – just something that adds nourishment and gives you the ability to effortlessly shape your look.
Take Back Your Mornings
Stop rushing into your weekdays with hasty mornings that leave you feeling chaotic and disheveled. A slow, purposeful grooming routine will help you reclaim these precious hours and set a positive trajectory for the rest of your day. Give it a try and see what you think.