After adding a soul nourishing morning routine to my day, I saw my life change in the best possible way, mentally and physically. I’m going to share some things I do for you to incorporate in your routine bit by bit.
Studies show that for something to become habitual it needs to be done repetitively for 21 days which is why I suggest having a solid routine for a month. It starts with a simple decision to better your life for good.
Having a thought-out routine will lead to:
- Better eating habits
- Improved quality of sleep
- Better concentration
- More productivity etc.
These are just a few of the benefits.
Prepare or plan your day the night before
Write down any important things to remember to do throughout the day before the end of the previous day. Knowing and being prepared for these activities sees to less of a rushed-out morning and more of a peaceful and mindful practice. Set your food aside for the next day, journal or download a life organizing app to help you plan things smoothly. The anxiety of getting these things done, dissipates.
Breakfast….
As mentioned above, a morning routine should never be rushed, it should be slow. Rushing out many times leaves you out of the door with coffee and no breakfast.
Having a proper breakfast cuts out the possibility of you skipping meals during the day and in turn leads to overall good eating habits. Your body is a machine that needs constant check-ups AND FUEL.
Don’t forget to have your morning glass of water.
Getting up early
Having the actual time to have breakfast leads to this point.
The number one thing that seeped into my mind after considering having a proper morning routine was that it requires you to GET UP EARLIER.
I know right, shocker!
I went from waking up at 7:00am to be at work at 8:00am, to waking up at 5:00am to be at work at 7:30am. I was actually early at work for once in my life. It’s safe to say I was never a morning person; in fact I loved my sleep so much I dedicated my weekends to laying in and felt it was a necessity to get the last few minutes in.
How did I do it??
Start out at your own pace. I started with getting up 10-15 minutes earlier every day for 7 days. That’s it, that’s the hardest part about setting up a morning routine right there. My method I used is the “1..2..3..4..5” method. Speak or think this out loud the moment you need to get up, this will ensure you feel the urgency. Try an alarm (no snooze button), shut out any technology or set a positive intention for the day if you find this extra hard.
Move your body!
Simply stretching, going for a 10-minute walk outside, yoga poses, a quick random dance will wake up your body. Your body will thank you for the rest of the day. I incorporated a 30-day squat challenge for example. However, try activities and exercises that are not going to leave you reluctant to do it the next day again. Another option is to switch it up and try different activities each morning.
Meditate
A good set time for meditating is 10-15 minutes, this where your body get’s to be aware of your thoughts and be fully present. Enjoy this quiet time. A simple guided meditation from YouTube will also suffice, as long as you’re calming your body and mind. If you can’t find the time in the beginning to implement the other tips, this one is a ‘must’.
Have your “me-time”
This is the time in the morning that you tend to yourself, cleansing and moisturizing your skin, applying make-up, shaving, speaking lovingly to yourself in the mirror, setting intentions, saying affirmations, mindfully preparing your food, eating your favourite snack, visualizing your perfect day etc. Not only will this just make your day better but having a reward is going to make this routine stick.
Get some fresh air
Stepping outside, taking a moment to appreciate the clean air (and everything else) takes literally seconds and makes the worlds difference. I do this before I get into the car to head out and before stepping into my workplace. It’s so simple and effective. Gratitude through thinking, speaking or writing is one of the best practices to incorporate in your life in general.
Take a cold shower
This one is optional. I personally could never implement this in my routine but I’m adding it because I’ve heard the benefits of it, some including:
- Fat loss
- Improved circulation
- Lowers stress
- Better sleep at night
- Shiny and strengthened hair
If you find the cold shower is too extreme, I do the infamous cold-water face splash. It might not have the same effect, but it definitely wakes you up to an extent.
Find a companion
If the thought of a routine is daunting it helps to get someone to do it with you. Even if your ‘someone’ is your furry friend, I’ve found that having just my dogs up with me not only brightens my day but causes me to be way more productive.
THAT’S IT!
Creating your own mindful morning routine isn’t going to happen overnight but momentum picks up as soon as you set the intention and find the willpower. This is a fun way of bettering your lifestyle, as soon as you realize the small changes making a difference, you’re going to find it more easier incorporating your own little activities!
