What do successful women do before their workday begins? We asked, they answered

For many of us, mornings are often spent racing against the clock, squeezing in breakfast, checking emails and messages, and mentally preparing for everything the day might throw our way. Yet for some women, those first few hours are less about rushing and more about creating a sense of balance. Whether it is a few minutes of meditation, an early workout, time with family, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee in peace, these rituals become an anchor before the demands of the day take over.

There is no single formula for the perfect morning. Some thrive on structure while others embrace a little chaos. What connects these routines is the intention behind them. They offer a moment to pause, reset, and begin the day on their own terms. Ahead, entrepreneurs, founders, creatives, and industry leaders share what their mornings look like before they take the day head-on.

Astha Khetan, founder and director, House of Things

"I wake up around 7 am and spend the first 15 minutes of the day meditating before I get out of bed. It’s a brief but invaluable window of personal thought that I guard closely. I then map out the five key priorities for the day ahead, followed by a cup of coffee and a workout with my son, family, and friends. I then head to the squash court for a 20-minute practice before beginning the workday. The rest of the day is a whirlwind of meetings, creative discussions, and decision-making. I genuinely enjoy the energy that comes with it, which is what powers me through the day and leaves me excited to do it all over again the next morning."

Monica Shah, co-founder and artistic director of Jade by Monica & Karishma, founder of Grassroot Artisans Project

"For me, mornings are about creating a sense of balance before the day begins. I start my day with 20 minutes of meditation, which helps me centre my thoughts. I then have a healthy shot of amla, aloe vera, and grape juice, followed by a green smoothie. I also make time for yoga four times a week. Before leaving for work, I like to spend some time planning things at home and checking in on my sons. One ritual that is particularly important to me is reaching the office before the rest of the team arrives. It allows me to gather my thoughts and map out the day ahead."

Sharmila Thanki, founder, Tip & Toe

"My mornings begin early with a glass of water, followed by some light stretching, yoga, or a walk to gently ease into the day. I like to spend a few minutes reviewing important messages and catching up on business updates before moving into my skincare routine and breakfast. Before work begins, I go through my appointments, meetings, and priorities for the day. Having that quiet time to prepare helps me feel organised, focused, and ready for everything ahead."

Adeline Graham, founder, Fern and Ade

"I’m very much a morning person. Most days start early at my local cafe with my laptop, plenty of coffee, a catch-up with friends, and a quick clear-out of emails before the day gets going. I throw Pilates into the mix a few times a week for good measure. Those morning rituals are my social fix far more than late nights, and once I’ve had that time to connect and get organised, I’m energised, focused, and ready to tackle the day ahead."

Pooja Talera, Kosa Wellbeing

"I wake up at dawn and begin my day in the garden, barefoot on the grass, watching the sunrise. Those first few moments of light are sacred to me. I spend a few minutes grounding myself. I sit in silence, practise gratitude, and do some distance gazing—looking out at the horizon and allowing myself to be fully present. I find that this stillness sets the tone for everything that follows. It is less about doing and more about being. From there, I move into a few minutes of conscious breathing, deep stretching and gentle mobility work, often settling into malasana while oil pulling or doing facial exercises. I like to wake the body up gradually rather than rush into the day, allowing a few moments to feel grounded and connected. One of the boundaries I value most is not reaching for my phone until after 10 am. Protecting those early hours from the constant pull of information allows me to begin the day with greater clarity, presence, and intention. These quiet moments have become a ritual—a way to return to myself before I step into the demands of the day."

Rakul Preet Singh, actor

"My mornings are usually quite simple. I like to start the day with a big glass of water, spend a few minutes with my thoughts, and then get some movement in, whether that's a workout, yoga, or even just a good walk. The moment I start rushing, I feel like the whole day follows that energy, so I try to keep my mornings calm. With the kind of schedule I have, recovery has become just as important as training. Between shoots, travel, and long days, I make a conscious effort to slow down and recharge whenever I can. That's one of the reasons I enjoy spending time at Nuvana. It's a space where I can switch off for a bit, reset, and focus on feeling good. Nothing too complicated, just small rituals that help me feel more like myself before taking on the day.

Dr Reshma Shah, preventive and pediatric dentist and founder of 32 Reasons Multispeciality Dental Centre

"My mornings begin quietly, with a few moments of gratitude and a quick catch-up with my son in the US. Despite the distance, those conversations are the perfect way to start the day and keep us connected. I then spend some time doing yoga, which helps me feel grounded and energised for whatever the day brings. After that, it’s off to work, a place I genuinely love. Working with young children fills my day with joy, laughter, and endless learning. Their curiosity and innocence are a daily reminder to stay present and appreciate life’s simple moments. For me, the perfect morning is a balance of family, mindfulness, and purpose, setting the tone for a day I look forward to embracing."

Ridhi Choudhary, CEO, Mann & Salwa

"I wish I could say my mornings start with meditation or a workout, but the reality is much less glamorous. Most days, I'm woken up by my 3-year-old son, who usually has a very important agenda of his own and has often decided he's a different superhero that day. The first part of my morning is all about getting him ready for kindergarten. Breakfast negotiations, last-minute snack requests, and the general chaos that comes with a very energetic toddler. It certainly wakes me up. Once he's off to school, I come back home, I have a cup of tea and breakfast, and spend some time looking at what's ahead for the day. I don't separate life into neat buckets of home and work; they're constantly overlapping. So that quiet time helps me figure out what needs my attention most that day, whether it's family, work or usually a bit of both. My mornings aren't particularly structured, but they feel very real, and I've learned to enjoy them exactly as they are.

Nisha Lulla, co-founder, Superkicks

"My mornings usually begin around 7 am or 7:30 am, thanks to my son waking me up. We ease into the day slowly, reading books together, playing little games, and going through our own morning rituals. It’s a grounding part of my day that I truly cherish. After that, I head to the gym, come back home for breakfast, and get ready to take on the day ahead. But before work fully kicks in, I always try to carve out some quality time with my child. That balance between motherhood, movement, and moments of stillness  gives me the clarity and headspace I need before stepping into work mode."

Panchali Mahendra, CEO, Atelier House Hospitality

"Sports were a big part of growing up, but somewhere along the way, I lost track of it as work and responsibilities took over. About a year ago, I decided to change that and make my health a priority because you cannot show up for everything else unless you are mentally and physically fit first. I’m part of the 5 am club, that early window gives me one or two quiet hours to clear emails before the Middle East and India really wake up, especially since we work across time zones with the US and India. Then comes my non-negotiable, pickleball. I play six days a week for about two hours. Before I head out, I hydrate properly and start my day with soaked chia seeds, which have been great for my gut and help me feel light but energised. Pickleball has become a real passion; it is fast, engaging, and it has given me a community that keeps the routine consistent. After I’m back, I reset with a shower, a simple but steady skincare routine, and if I can manage it, some fruit since I’m not a big breakfast person. Then it’s straight into meetings and restaurant check-ins before an early lunch that’s nutrient-led with good carbs to carry me through the day. If I get a spare moment, it’s usually with my dog, a quick walk or just a few minutes together. It’s not fancy, but it’s a routine I stick to because it keeps me grounded and ready to take the day head-on. Every day is different, but a bit of sports, a bit of love and a bit of self-love is constant."

Lead image: Pexels

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