Robin Sharma Archives - Routine Hacker

Darshan Shah

Wellness Tip:

Count Wins for Wellness

Small wins make a big difference. They build momentum, boost your mood, and keep you moving toward your goals. That’s why counting them is so important!

At the end of each day, try writing down three wins. They can be as simple as choosing a healthy snack, taking the stairs, or just showing up. The key is to focus on progress, not perfection. Every time you acknowledge a win, no matter how small, you’re training your brain to notice the good stuff, which creates a positive feedback loop.

Panda Planner has space at the end of each day to record your wins, and the act of physically writing them down makes them more memorable and concrete. Have you been counting your wins lately? Try it tonight!

Routine Breakdown

Dr. Darshan Shah, Longevity Doctor & Host of the Extend Podcast

How a Longevity Doctor Starts His Day

“I am no longer tired. I want to wake up every morning, jump out of bed, and attack the day,” says Dr. Darshan Shah, owner of a longevity clinic. After years of feeling drained, he found that dedicating just 40–45 minutes each morning to self-care was a “complete game changer.”

The Routine:

Makes a mushroom coffee. He drinks coffee blended with lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms.
Journals briefly while waiting for his coffee to brew.
Meditates for 20 minutes.
Exercises. He does a 10-minute strength training workout with dumbbells every morning. He also does a 40-minute workout at the gym three times per week.
Reads. “While I’m drinking my coffee, I read for 30 minutes.” He always has two books on the go, one wellness book and one fun read.
Skips breakfast and scrolling. Shah does intermittent fasting and only picks up his phone after his coffee is ready to drink.

Why it works:

While clinical research is limited, mushroom blends are popular in functional medicine circles for potential benefits like reduced inflammation, better focus, and immune support.
Journaling, meanwhile, has definite mental health benefits, as does meditation.
Strength training really is a must for healthy aging. A 2022 review found that 30–60 minutes of weekly strength training cut risk of death from all causes by 10–20%, including cancer and heart disease.
Reading prevents cognitive decline, says research. Try carrying a book with you, so when you’re waiting around, you can read instead of scrolling!
Intermittent fasting has some major potential longevity benefits, like reducing oxidative stress and protecting against diseases. However, it’s not right for everyone, so check with your doctor before starting.

We love Shah’s habit of journaling instead of scrolling while waiting for his coffee. It’s a small swap that makes a big impact! What small swaps could you make in your routine to make your mornings that little bit healthier?

Katie Wells

Productivity Tip:

Recharge Your Focus with Soft Fascination

Ever feel like your brain is at full capacity? Try reclaiming bandwidth through soft fascination.

Soft fascination describes moments when your attention is gently held by something—like drifting clouds or the sound of rainfall—without demanding your full cognitive effort. Unlike hard fascination (think action movies or social media), soft fascination leaves room for your thoughts to wander and unresolved ideas to surface.

This gives your mind a break and restores your mental energy. Time in nature is a great option: one study found that just 20 minutes in nature significantly boosted focus and lowered stress.

Try this: Take a 15-minute break without your phone. Notice trees, birds, or flowing water. Don’t analyze—just observe. Let these gentle stimuli hold your attention while your mental batteries recharge.

Let us know how it goes for you!

Routine Breakdown

Katie Wells, Founder of Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama’s Balancing Morning Routine

“This morning routine has helped me reconnect with my body, feel more energetic, and reset my nervous system,”says Katie Wells, wellness expert and creator of Wellness Mama. She shares the non-negotiables that set the tone for her day.

The Routine:

Light and minerals. “Before I do anything else (yes, that means coffee!) I step outside within 30 minutes of waking up. Ideally I’m barefoot and I usually have a jar of mineral-rich water in hand.” She replenishes minerals lost overnight with a blend of magnesium, sodium, potassium, or fulvic minerals.
Oral care. “I detox my mouth before I detox my inbox,” says Katie, who starts her day with oil pulling, tongue scraping, and brushing to support her oral microbiome.
Gentle movement and lymph support. “This isn’t my workout for the day. This is about gently waking up my body and supporting the lymphatic system.” She rotates practices like lymphatic self-massage, dry brushing, mini-trampoline rebounding, fascia release, or a simple walk.
Protein and fiber before coffee. “I try to eat a solid breakfast with at least 40 grams of protein and a healthy dose of fiber.”Her meals include pastured eggs, veggies, or protein-rich smoothies before caffeine.

Why it works:

Morning sunlight helps suppress melatonin and raise cortisol at the right time, improving sleep, mood, and blood sugar regulation.
“Our oral microbiome is the front line of our gut health. Imbalances in oral bacteria have been linked to everything from bad breath to cardiovascular issues to cognitive decline,” says Katie.
Techniques like manual lymphatic drainage have been shown to help with a range of things, from swelling to fatigue and pain tolerance.
Eating protein + fiber before coffee helps stabilize blood sugar and cortisol, improving energy and hormone balance throughout the day.

Katie adds that she waits 60-90 minutes to drink her coffee. “Caffeine on an empty stomach can spike cortisol and lead to crashes later,” she says. One last tip? “When I do drink coffee, I often blend it with other things that nourish my body. These can include collagen powder, functional mushrooms, healthy fats, and adaptogens, like ashwagandha or cacao.”

Kim Foster

Productivity Tip:

Stop Trying to Wake Up Earlier

Tired of morning routine advice that tells you to get up at 5 am? Here’s a different take from Dr. Kim Foster, whose routine (below) flips that script. “If you’re already running on too little sleep, waking up even earlier is the fastest way to failure.” Lack of sleep has serious downsides.

Instead of waking up an hour earlier, change what you do in the first five minutes. “Take a look at your morning and ask yourself, what’s the first thing I do that drains my energy? Now swap that first habit for something better.”

For example, instead of reaching for your phone, take a deep breath and stretch. Or try a simple mantra, like I control my day, my day doesn’t control me.

“This may sound small, but neuroscience shows that your brain is in a highly programmable state when you first wake up,” says Kim. “What you focus on first sets the tone for your entire day. Change the first 5 minutes and you change everything.”

Routine Breakdown

Dr. Kim Foster, M.D, Coach & Wellness Expert

A Doctor’s Secrets to a Better Morning

“Small, intentional shifts in your morning can rewire your brain, reset your focus, and completely change the trajectory of your day,” says Kim Foster, M.D. She breaks down how to make the most of your mornings—without getting up earlier.

The Routine:

Do a 90-second reset. “The moment you wake up, move your body for 90 seconds. Just something that gets your body in motion,” says Kim. E.g., Stretch, do 10 jumping jacks or walk around while you drink water. “According to research from Stanford University, 90 seconds of movement can help to regulate your nervous system, lower stress, and increase alertness.”
Hydrate. “Before you reach for coffee, drink a glass of water. Your brain will thank you for it.”
Mind first, tech later. “Delay checking your phone for 10 minutes. That’s it. Give yourself a buffer before you let the world into your brain.” Instead, says Kim, use that 10 minutes to do one thing that benefits you, like writing a sentence about your goals or going outside for some sunlight.
Use the One Move Rule. “Before you go to bed, decide on one action that will make your morning easier. Lay out your workout clothes, set your journal next to the coffee machine… This works because decision fatigue is real. Setting up a simple decision the night before makes follow-through easier.”

Why it works:

While we couldn’t locate the study Kim refers to, short bursts of physical activity have definitely proven beneficial in research.
Experts say checking your phone first thing can impact your mood and brain functioning. As Kim says, “Your brain gets stuck in a dopamine feedback loop, constantly seeking more stimulation instead of focusing on deep, meaningful work.”
Decision fatigue happens when our mental resources are depleted. Setting things up ahead of time makes it easier to make better choices.

Says Kim: “You don’t need a 2-hour routine. You don’t need to wake up at 5 in the morning. You don’t need a complicated system that adds more stress to your life. You just need a few small shifts that create momentum.”

Gaelle Dudley

Wellness Tip:

Reappraise Your Stress Response

When you’re stressed, cortisol levels rise. That’s your body making sure it’s prepped to survive. Cortisol sharpens your thinking, speeds up your reactions, and gives you a quick burst of energy by increasing glucose in your bloodstream. Pretty cool, right?

It’s when cortisol is chronically elevated that you have a problem. So, here’s one thing you can do to better manage your stress response and stay healthier: reappraise arousal.

Put simply, change how you think about stress. When you feel that racing heart or sweaty palms, try telling yourself, “This is my body getting ready to perform.”

Research shows that reinterpreting stress responses as signs that you’re gearing up (not breaking down) can actually improve performance and reduce the harmful effects of stress on your body. Why not give it a go?

Routine Breakdown

Gaelle Dudley, Founder & Creative Director of GLDESIGN

A Design Guru’s 5 Steps to Winning The Morning

Founder of design firm GLDESIGN, Gaelle Dudley, has a 5-step routine for starting the day right.

The Routine:

Wakes at 6am and makes the bed “as the first powerful ritual to set a positive tone for the day.” She follows this with an iced coffee.
Gets moving. “Whether it’s a relaxing walk on the beach or a full kick-ass workout, I always feel revitalized by the endorphin boost.”
Fuels up. “Nourishing my body post-workout is key for setting the tone for the day. A protein smoothie is my go-to to help keep me feeling energized and focused.”
Meditates. “For five minutes a day, I also make an effort to carve out a few moments of meditation and relaxation to help keep me centered.”
Gets glowing. “A solid skincare routine helps keep my skin feeling fresh and protected and ready to face the day.” At nearly 50, she prefers to skip the Botox and lather on serums and moisturizers to age beautifully.

Why it works:

Making your bed can give you a sense of calm and a feeling of accomplishment to start the day.
Exercise indeed releases endorphins—brain chemicals that can improve mood and reduce pain.
Eating protein after exercise helps build muscle by boosting muscle growth and stopping muscle breakdown.
Even 5 mins of meditation can boost mental health.

Whatever your morning routine is, it should make you feel good. Remember that true productivity is doing the things that matter to you, not just staying busy or ticking boxes to follow the latest trends. It can take some experimenting, so stick with it!

Clarissa Cappelletti

Wellness Tip:

Reduce Springtime Allergies

Springtime got you sneezy? 🤧Here’s a tip: jump in the shower before bed. Why? Pollen clings to your hair and skin throughout the day, and if you don’t rinse it off, it ends up on your pillow and triggers those sneezes and itchy eyes while you sleep.

Another tip is to swap out your pillowcase more often during spring and summer. It’ll help keep allergens at bay so you can sleep soundly.

Read more about preventing nighttime allergies here.

Routine Breakdown

Clarissa Cappelletti, International Country Manager at WeRoad

A Travel Pro’s Grounded Morning Routine

Clarissa Cappelletti from global travel brand WeRoad tells us she needs 8-10 hours of sleep to perform at her best. She normally wakes at 7, but she’s flexible when on the move: “If travelling, I tend to be a sunrise catcher and love taking on a night hike to enjoy the best views as the sun comes up – I can then recoup the sleep in the afternoon (I do love a siesta when travelling!),” she says. Here’s her routine when at home.

The Routine:

Immediately drinks a glass of water. “This is a non-negotiable for me to rehydrate myself in the morning.”
Takes supplements. “I take creatine (3g every day to support my bone and muscle health) and a herbal mix to support my lymphatic system.”
Showers, then cycles to work. “I tend to avoid public transport as much as possible and cycling helps me clear my head for the day.”
Eats when hungry. “I tend to have breakfast later in the morning – around 10/11am – as my stomach is still ‘asleep’ when I wake up.”

Why it works:

Many (though not all) claims about drinking water first thing are true: it does rehydrate you after sleep, keeps you regular, and helps prevent dehydration that could impact your cognitive performance.
Evidence suggests creatine can help maintain muscle mass. Bonus: It’s also been shown to improve cognitive function and decision-making.
Cycling to work has a bunch of benefits. (Here are 12 of them!)

When Clarissa gets home from work, she takes off her makeup, puts on comfy clothes, and makes dinner while calling family or listening to music. “This is one of the best moments of my day, where I am taking care of myself and my loved ones without rushing,” she says. Let’s not forget that savoring these small moments can make a huge difference to our days!

Simon Salter

Wellness Tip:

Start Your Day With Positive Self-Talk

We picked up this tip from Simon Salter, whose routine is featured below. He says:

“I know the brain is in a vulnerable state when it first wakes, so I make sure my first words to myself are encouraging and uplifting. It feels fantastic, and the brain takes it all in, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.”

He’s onto something—science shows that the brain is in a theta-dominant state just after waking, which means it’s more receptive to suggestion. That makes your first thoughts especially powerful. Positive self-talk in those early minutes can influence your mood, stress levels, and resilience levels.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a double board-certified psychiatrist, recommends starting the day by saying, “Today is going to be a great day,” out loud. He explains that this simple affirmation programs the subconscious mind to focus on positive experiences throughout the day. Give it a shot tomorrow—your brain is listening.

Routine Breakdown

Simon Salter, Co-founder at DIRTEA

How a Mushroom Coffee Founder Primes His Brain

Co-founder of mushroom coffee brand DIRTEA, Simon Salter, tells us he wakes between 5.30 and 6 every morning. “My window is always open, and the dawn chorus acts as my natural alarm. It’s a much gentler way to wake up,” he says.

The Routine:

Starts the day with positive self-talk (see above!).
Makes his bed. “I learned the value of this from military strategies—completing a simple task like making the bed gives a sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for a productive day.”
Morning gratitude prayer. “I give thanks for waking up and seek guidance for the day ahead.”
Hydration, stretching, and breathwork. “I stretch to activate my muscles and get my blood flowing, then move into breathwork. I do 50 breaths per round, holding after each exhale. The science behind it is amazing. The breathwork increases oxygen in the blood, expels carbon dioxide, and helps shift my body’s pH. It’s magic for mental clarity.”
Takes a cold shower. “I’ll be honest—my mind screams, ‘Forget it,’ but I use the Mel Robbins 5-second rule. If I don’t act within five seconds, I’ve already negotiated myself out of the day. So, I dive in.”
Coffee and journaling. “I have my DIRTEA coffee, which gives the taste and kick of regular coffee but with 80% less caffeine, plus the brain-boosting effects of lion’s mane. It’s my ritual, and I can’t live without it.” While drinking, he journals on paper. “Writing by hand helps me release mental clutter, and there’s something about pen-to-paper that works neurologically in my favor.”

Why it works:

While studies on bed-making are scant, many people agree that it creates a sense of accomplishment and control, which can flow on to the rest of your day.
Morning gratitude prayer combines gratitude and spiritual reflection, both associated with improved well-being, reduced stress, and enhanced mood.
Hydration, stretching, and breathwork all activate the body’s systems. Stretching increases blood flow, reduces stiffness, and may release mood-boosting endorphins.
Cold exposure has some science behind it. For example, it stimulates brown fat activation, which helps regulate body temperature and may improve metabolic health.
Lion’s mane mushrooms have some surprising potential benefits, from protecting brain health to relieving anxiety. Meanwhile, handwriting activates brain regions involved in memory and emotional processing in ways typing doesn’t.

Have you tried writing in a physical journal or daily planner like Panda Planner? How do you find it compared to digital formats?