Ankur Warikoo wakes up at 4:50 am. From sipping water to playing tennis, here’s everything he does before 9:30 am

Waking up before dawn might sound extreme, but for Ankur Warikoo, it’s a ritual that sets the tone for his entire day. At 4:50 am, long before most alarms ring, Warikoo and his wife, Ruchi, rise to carve out hours of uninterrupted personal time. This isn’t just about discipline—it’s about creating space for fulfilment, focus, and energy before the demands of work, family, and the world take over.

Slow start

Warikoo’s day begins after a full night’s rest, typically between 9 and 9:30 pm. He starts with a deliberate slow sip of water over ten minutes, awakening the body gently. This quiet moment transitions into 30 minutes of meditation, followed by 30 minutes of reading. He then helps the kids get ready for school. By this time, Warikoo has already immersed himself in practices that nurture both mind and body.

Body movement

Meanwhile, Ruchi completes her tennis session and then drops the children off at their bus stop. Warikoo then heads out for his own tennis session, dedicating an hour to movement, followed by 45 minutes at the gym. Upon returning home, he spends a brief 15 minutes with the newspaper before preparing for the day over the next 30 minutes, completing his routine by 9:30 am.

Eating schedule

Even his eating schedule is carefully calibrated—his first meal comes at 11 am, after an 18-hour fast, highlighting how he structures every aspect of life around intention and discipline. For Warikoo, the key to his routine isn’t just waking up early; it’s the conscious effort to give himself hours of uninterrupted personal time, cultivating peace and purpose before responding to the world’s demands.

Acknowledging privilege

Privileged with support at home for errands, cleaning, and cooking, both Ankur and Ruchi maintain parallel routines of tennis, gym, and mindful living, demonstrating how shared habits and mutual understanding can amplify personal growth and energy.


This daily structure underscores a central idea: a morning routine isn’t a checklist for productivity but a gift to oneself—a dedicated space for clarity, fulfilment, and momentum before the chaos begins.