Why You NEED A Morning Routine!
Cultivating your perfect morning routine is a real art! Let me tell you, it has taken me years. You would think that working from home, remote or for yourself would make it easier, and it should. BUT, when I first began working from home all the flexibility and control I had over my schedule created room for inconsistency. One day I would wake up and meditate and the next I would jump out of bed, grab a cup of coffee and head straight for my laptop. I knew I needed to have a consistent morning routine, but actually doing it every day seemed impossible.
The days I did a routine I would feel incredible, and the days I didn’t I was kind of a bitch if I’m being honest. Always going, in a rush, forgetting to eat or get up from my laptop. On top of that, I would be mad at myself for being so mindless. I was totally aware of my unhealthy habits, and the fact that it was on days when I didn’t do my routine, go figure! Once I came to that realization my mindset completely shifted. I knew that to be my best self I needed to prioritize myself at the start of each day.
Depending on the season certain practices may be added to my morning routine, but I have a set groundwork that I make sure to do every single day. It sets my day up for success and helps me get my mind right before what’s ahead.
Regardless of the time I wake up or season of life I’m in, my morning routine looks like:
Wake-up & do a little stretching in bed
Use the restroom, brush my teeth & tongue scrape
Meditate (with my crystals ofc) for 10-15 minutes- I open the blinds to let the sunlight flow in and reset my circadian rhythm
Inner bath- my morning tonic made up of himalayan sea salt, apple cider vinegar, a squeeze of lemon and 16 ounces of water
Take a probiotic, while listening to a motivational podcast or my morning playlist depending on what kind of mood I’m in
Jump on the rebounder or do a yoga flow for 10-15 minutes
Journal- 3 things i’m grateful for and a writing prompt
All in all my routine takes me about an hour, give or take a few. Throughout my journey I would test out different practices, but when starting out I want you to pick ONE practice. Whatever you want- meditation, an inner bath, journaling, prayer, yoga- whatever it is, pick one and do that every single morning. I once heard it takes twenty one days to form a new habit, and it’s always stuck with me. Pick a practice, do it for 21 days, and when you do that add another practice. Repeat that cycle and go from there!
Ultimately it is up to you and only you! It takes self-discipline, which let’s be honest, can suck sometimes, but I can promise that once you commit to it you will begin to see the impact it makes on your life, productivity and overall happiness. What I came to discover was that taking an hour at the start of the day is KEY in owning my day and keeping my healthy hustle alive and well! Whether you have to wake up a little early or shift your schedule around (if you have that flexibility), prioritizing YOU at the start of each day will fill your cup up in a way that empowers you to add value in all areas of your life.
When crafting your morning routine I want you to think about 3 aspects- mind, body and soul. In order to unleash your most vibrant self you want to nurture these 3 areas of your life, daily. There are plenty of ways to do this, which I will lay out below, but the important takeaway is to show yourself some love every single day- mentally, physically, emotionally & spiritually.
To nurture your body-
Move– go for a walk, do yoga, hit a pilates class or get down at the gym to get your heart pumping and wake up your brain
Nourish– eat whole foods and opt for making meals at home. Avoid packaged and processed foods!
Hydrate– drink plenty of water- half your body weight in ounces is a good rule! Add a squeeze of lemon to spice it up and detox your body
Light– expose yourself to sunlight first thing to reset your circadian rhythm and tell your brain it’s time to get up
To nurture your mind-
Read a chapter of a book or listen to a podcast or audible- this helps me get out of my own head, learn something new, get inspired and expand my mind
Meditate– my sweet spot is 10-15 minutes in the morning, BUT even if I only have 3 minutes to stop, close my eyes and take some deep breathes I do because it totally shifts my energy
Journal– writing down what I’m grateful for, my goals, dreams, fears, feelings or situations I am experiencing helps me release negative energy, shift my perspective and get clarity.
To nurture your soul-
Affirmations– creating “I am” statements and reciting them in the morning empowers me to live my best day
Pray or connect to source- regardless of what you believe, taking time to sit with and show gratitude to a higher power will give you comfort and guidance. I love to pray in the mornings either when I first open my eyes or to conclude my meditation
Go for a hike– when I go for hikes it gives me time to get outside of myself and remember how damn big the world is. Connecting with nature and getting fresh air gives all the good vibes
I hope you’re inspired to pick a practice and commit to it for twenty one days. Whatever it is, I want you to remember that the magic only happens if you actually show up and do it.
So take a moment, think about what would make you feel good and start setting that positive momentum! Keep me posted on how it’s going and if you have any questions feel free to contact me.