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.

Uzo Aduba made a splash with her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on “Orange Is The New Black,” and we haven’t stopped watching her since. After taking home a slew of Emmy awards for that iconic role, she’s gone on to exciting TV projects like “Mrs. America” and “In Treatment” (two favorites of our Senior Editor!). Meanwhile, she’s also had an impressive run in film and on stage and established her own production company, Meynon Media. And about eight months ago, she started her latest project: Motherhood. Whew, that’s a lot.

When Uzo isn’t in the midst of a shoot, her morning routine begins at her home in Los Angeles. She likes to be up early enough to enjoy the weather when it is still the perfect morning temperature. For her, the day always starts with family (near and far — calls are essential!) before emails and work meetings begin. We had heard that she prioritizes peaceful mornings and time with family, too, so we wanted to hear how she manages to find the time. Below, she shares her secret to centering in the morning — from heading outside before the sun rises to making the most of the early hours and having a later start to the workday.

6:30am | Already up 📱

I wake up. Well, to be honest, with an 8-month-old, I don’t really sleep. Can I say that here? I usually delete junk emails and talk with my siblings on the phone before heading to get the baby.

7:00am | Quiet backyard moment 🐾

I get my daughter from her crib, change her diaper (we’re huge fans of the Coterie brand), and feed her some milk. Then, we head outside to our backyard for morning quiet time and playtime with Fenway, our Airedale Terrier. He loves to fetch the tennis ball. It’s our morning ritual to sit together before life gets busy, and we love it.

Close-up image of green grass blades growing densely together.
A small white quilted pouch with a handle and blue snap button, featuring the brand name "Coterie" embroidered in blue near the top. The pouch is placed on a wooden surface.

8:00am | Mommy-and-me walk (and talk!) 👟

We head out for our mommy-and-me walks. This 3-4 mile walk has always been my thing, even before motherhood. I’ve just started bringing my daughter along with me. I usually throw on my Lululemon leggings and Hoka sneakers, then strap my daughter to me using our BabyBjörn carrier. I walk and talk on the phone with my elders in Nigeria, and my aunts, uncles, cousins, and family members worldwide.

A person holding a pair of white running shoes with blue, pink, and purple accents, and the brand name "HOKA" displayed prominently on the side.
A person smiles while carrying a baby in a front-facing carrier. They are outdoors on a tree-lined street.

9:00am | Balanced brekkie 🥣

I head inside to make breakfast: An omelet with bell peppers, cheese, two strips of turkey bacon, an English muffin, twenty-two blueberries, and a hot cup of green tea for me — and pancakes from scratch, fresh fruit, or fish for my daughter. We make all of her food by hand. Also, I love the brand ezpz for their cups, mats, spoons, and all infant mealtime needs. It’s been the perfect product for introducing mealtime to my daughter.

Once she’s done with breakfast, I put my daughter in her play area for supervised independent play until 9:45 am. Then, she goes down for her morning nap. Her nanny usually arrives at this time for daycare.

A person wearing glasses holds a child dressed in orange in front of a book and scattered toys on the floor.
A blue toddler cup and a matching plate with a bowl sit on a kitchen counter. Behind them is a glass vase with green leaves.

10:00am | Skincare classics 🫧

I prepare myself for the day, starting with a relaxing shower using Dove soap (a classic passed down from my mother, Nonyem), Colgate toothpaste, NIVEA Creme for intense moisture, and Shea Moisture body lotion. I usually keep it light on the face, but I love the product Lion Pose (backed by Mindy Kaling!). I wear braids when I can, and I love the low-maintenance effortlessness of wearing them in different styles, not taking me a ton of time to get ready, especially as a new mom. Just style and go!

Metal shower caddy mounted on a white tile wall with a long shadow cast from the sunlight.
A white bar of soap with a bird logo embossed on top is placed on a white folded towel on a bathroom countertop.

11:00am | WFH 💻

My work meetings begin. I head to my home office. Days tend to start with reviewing my calendar for the day and connecting with my team at Meynon Media, my production company. The rest of the time, I’m usually taking meetings and answering emails and calls. 

Like all mothers, when work gets busy, or I’m shooting a TV or film project, this schedule gets even more fun. I love it!

Featured images courtesy Uzo Aduba, Coterie, Dove, and Hoka