How Intention Setting Helps This Therapist and YouTuber Set the Tone for Her Day

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before you dive into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every week here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

We know that candidly talking about your mental health, let alone seeking help for it, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Kati Morton LMFT, is passionate about increasing awareness and removing the stigma associated with getting help.

In 2011, Morton started a YouTube channel with the hopes of using the platform to bring accessibility and to share her expertise on issues around mental health. Today, her channel has over a million subscribers, and her video topics range from teaching people applicable communication techniques to explaining how to deal with stress, anxiety, and more. 

Morton also knows the importance of employing self-care strategies in her daily routine. Keep scrolling to see how she starts her mornings and to learn her favorite easy tip for feeling less anxious throughout the day.

8:30 A.M.

The first thing I try to do is not get on my phone right away and let myself wake up and set the tone for the rest of my morning.

9 A.M.

I love to use mantras or just some positive statements to force my brain away from the dread or upset about having to get up so early and get to work.

I also am a huge fan of yoga, mainly because it's difficult and slow and forces me out of my head. I can't really stress about life while practicing yoga. It also pulls me into my body instead of out of it, so I think that has been helpful in quieting me down and allowing me to recharge. I like to stream classes from Power Yoga.

9:45 A.M.

After giving myself some time to force the positive thoughts, I will do a quick email check and then hop into the bathroom to wash my face with my Josie Maran face wash and brush my teeth.

I have also been taking vitamin C first thing every morning due to the pandemic and wanting to help my immune system any way I can. One of my favorites is made by LivOn Labs. Now I don’t know about you, but I wake up hungry, so breakfast is a must if I am going to get anything done during the day. I have been on an eggs-and-toast kick for a while now, so I get that ready while I make coffee.

10:15 A.M.

Next, it’s time to drink my coffee, get into my calendar and email, and figure out what needs to be taken care of first.

I have always been a fan of lists and Post-it notes, and I take the time to put together my list of to-dos for the day. Research proves that our to-do lists shouldn’t be more than seven items long because it’s hard for our brain to hold more than seven things in our head at one time, so I make my list and get into it.

11 A.M.

Oh, and also when I am feeling overwhelmed (which, I will be honest, has been happening more and more lately), I get up and take a quick "shake it off" break. Shaking out our bodies helps release any excess stress or anxiety and helps soothe our nervous system. It’s honestly the quickest way to make myself feel better, and don’t knock it until you try it. Trust me when I tell you it does work!

I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoyed learning a little bit about me and my morning routine!

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