Before the world wakes up, Ankur Warikoo gives himself 5 hours. His morning routine explains why

For many people, mornings begin with rushing through alarms, checking notifications and immediately responding to the demands of the day. Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo believes mornings can serve a different purpose: creating time for yourself before the world starts asking for your attention.

Warikoo recently shared his detailed morning routine on social media, explaining how a consistent schedule helps him start each day with clarity and energy. He said his routine is not about waking up extremely early or following a perfect checklist, but about making time for personal well-being.

Ankur Warikoo's 4:50 am morning routine

Warikoo revealed that he goes to bed between 9 pm and 9:30 pm and wakes up at 4:50 am. His day begins with a glass of water, which he slowly drinks over 10 minutes. He then spends 30 minutes meditating, followed by another 30 minutes reading a book. After that, he helps get his children ready for school.



By the time his wife returns from her tennis session and takes the children to the bus stop, Warikoo begins his own fitness routine. He heads out for tennis, where he plays for an hour, and then spends another 45 minutes at the gym. After returning home, he reads the newspaper for 15 minutes before getting ready by 9:30 am. Warikoo also follows an 18-hour fasting schedule and said he eats his first meal of the day at 11 am.

Why Warikoo says morning routines are not about waking up early

According to Warikoo, the biggest benefit of his routine is the time he gets for himself before starting his professional responsibilities. He said that by the time he sits down to face the world, he has already spent around five hours doing things he enjoys and values.


However, Warikoo acknowledged that many people feel such a routine is impossible to follow. Responding to those who say they cannot do it, he explained that a morning routine is not about waking up early and completing a long list of activities. Instead, he said the real purpose is waking up at the same time every day and giving yourself time before giving it to others. For Warikoo, this routine is something people should do for their own peace rather than to impress anyone else.

Warikoo acknowledges his privilege

Warikoo also addressed questions about how he manages to maintain such a schedule. He shared that his wife follows a similar routine, including playing tennis and going to the gym, and said having a partner with similar habits makes the journey easier.


He also acknowledged that his lifestyle comes with certain privileges. Warikoo said he and his family have help available for tasks like cleaning, cooking and errands, which allows them to focus on their routines. He added that he recognises this privilege and remains grateful for it every day.