Welcome to Waking Up Well, a column where we hand-select people we admire and ask them to share how they start the day. We think morning routines are a crucial part of an intentional wellness journey and we’re fascinated by the practices of our favorite figures.

When author Anna Malaika Tubbs is on a book tour, she takes pains to stack her schedule so she can wake up in her own bed as much as possible — even if it means an 8 a.m. flight across the country, and arriving home in LA at 1 a.m. “My home with my family is my favorite place to be,” she says. 

“My home with my family is my favorite place to be.”

Anna is a multidisciplinary expert on current and historical issues of race, gender, and equity. Her “New York Times” bestselling books — “The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation,” and “Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us” — explore the invisible systems and figures that have led to the America that exists today. She’s known for her vibrant and engaging storytelling with an academic prowess that will change the way you think about everything from American history to motherhood. Might we recommend her TED Talk “How Mothers Shape The World” (which has nearly 2 million views)?

At home, she uses the most reliable alarm known to man: A child waking up. Anna and her husband co-sleep with their 19-month-old, and then their older kids (age 3 and 5) come in for morning cuddles. “Starting the day speaking affirmations to my children and holding them in my arms brings me such peace and reminds me to try and see the world through their eyes,” she says. 

We are so inspired by this beautiful ritual — and we love the way Anna centers her family even during her thriving work and travel schedule. Read on to see what follows her family snuggle, and how mornings at home ground her with a peaceful, loving foundation for a busy day.

7:00 am | Stretches and airplane mode 📴

I stretch in bed before I sit up to try to avoid startling my body. I take big sips of water to refresh my mind and increase my energy. I also keep my phone on airplane mode until I am ready to start work later on. I find it too distracting to see notifications when I don’t have time to respond to them and when I know they will simply overstimulate me. I put on my sports bra and some shorts, I make my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I take my headscarf off and put my hair in a bun. 

A woman sits cross-legged on the floor, holding and embracing a baby in her arms, in front of a large window.
A clear glass jug, a glass of water, and two stacked ceramic cups are arranged on a white surface against a plain light green wall.

7:15 am |  Visible values 🚴🏽‍♀️

I bring my water bottle with me to start my Peloton ride and walk through the kitchen where the kids are eating breakfast. I make sure to tell them that I am about to exercise because research shows that kids are more likely to find fitness important if they see their parents prioritize it. I don’t eat breakfast until I am finished working out. I usually do a 20-minute ride with Ally, or Cody, or Alex. 

Woman in athletic wear taking a selfie while using a stationary exercise bike indoors, with a screen and yoga mats in the background.
Woman taking a mirror selfie in a bedroom, wearing a sports bra and black shorts, standing barefoot on a carpeted floor.

7:40 am | Skincare and athleisure 🫧

I shower and get dressed so I can switch off with my husband and spend time with my kids before taking them to school. Some of my favorite skin care products are from Kora Organics, Relevant, and Retrouve, and I use a combination of their products for my face wash, serum, SPF, and body lotion. I try to use as many organic ingredients as possible, including my Weleda deodorant. I am an athleisure queen and I wear leggings and a pullover 90% of the time, either a Fabletics set or an Alo one. 

A bottle of Weleda Wild Rose 24h Deodorant Spray sits on a wooden surface with a basket and green plant blurred in the background.
A woman stands indoors with her hands on her hips, wearing a black sweatshirt with a cut-out detail near the collar. She has light purple nails and a neutral expression.

8:00 am | Personal stylist duties 🪮

I finish getting my kids ready for school. I’m usually doing the final touches like brushing their hair. 

8:20am | Tea party 🫖

I make myself some breakfast, usually a scrambled egg with a few pieces of avocado, and we all have tea together. I am an avid tea drinker and I pride myself on how deliciously I prepare a variety of teas. I’m very happy that my kids love herbal teas as well. I make myself a cup of loose-leaf English breakfast tea to avoid the harmful chemicals found in tea bags while I make the kids a decaf peppermint tea or fruit tea with a little bit of honey and we talk about what we’re looking forward to in our respective days. 

Three white cups and two glass mugs filled with different beverages sit on a dark wooden table, accompanied by a tray, a pack of cigarettes, and a key pouch in the background.
A honey dipper with honey on it and a small drop of honey beside it, placed on a plain white background.

8:40 am | Hydrate and go! 🚰

I take the kids to school or my husband does, and once they’re on their way, I make sure my water bottle is full, I have some fruit ready to snack on throughout my day, and I sit or stand at my desk to start my work 🙂

A person wearing a white shirt holds a black smartphone in one hand and a black water bottle in the other, standing outdoors.
A glass jar filled with fresh raspberries and blueberries viewed from above, set against a light background.

Thanks to Anna Tubbs for providing images for this piece. Additional imagery from Weleda.