SELF CARE | Morning Rituals
10.3.21
Do you wake up in the morning and struggle to get out of bed and get moving? If the answer is yes, you are probably in need of creating some healthy morning habits or 'rituals' to get you up and going with a spring in your step.
Morning rituals can help to reset the tone of your whole day. Committing to introducing a new, positive or productive action to your mornings will guarantee that you start out with a more positive and productive mindset, ready to tackle the world.
What exactly are morning rituals?
Morning rituals are merely small habits, actions or decisions that we can make to create more ease and flow throughout our day.
Why are they so important?
Morning routines set the tone of the day, good or bad. Sound overblown? We promise it's not. For example, you may be in a routine of clinging to your pillow until the very last minute every morning, then experience stress at being late for work which then seems to carry over most of your day. Not fun for you, your loved ones or your colleagues who probably don't want to talk to you until at least the third coffee has kicked in.
Scroll down for our few tips on how you can create a new, healthier morning routine and turn you into a nicer person to be around.
"Consider setting your alarm just 10 to 15 minutes earlier and meditate".
Start meditating.
Consider setting your alarm just 10 to 15 minutes earlier and meditate. Meditation has been shown to decrease stress, improve concentration and generate an overall sense of well-being.
If you're not sure where to start, download a free meditation app. And remember, there are literally so many ways to meditate. You can't mess it up, and after a little practice, you'll find a method that resonates with you.
Eat a healthy breakfast.
You'll be surprised at how good you start to feel when you actually fuel your body in the morning. Eating a balanced breakfast each morning is guaranteed to give you energy and improve your mood and concentration. Don't you want some of that same brainpower for your day?
Start stretching.
Take a cue from your cat. There are several benefits to a solid morning stretch. It improves your posture, enhances circulation, and can help you release mental stress. And who isn't craving a good, deep stretch session after seven or eight hours of sleep?
Over time, if you keep up with this morning habit, you'll increase your range of motion and lose the little niggles and soreness most people experience first thing.
Move your body.
You don't need to complete a hardcore, full-body workout each morning. (Though you can if you want to.) Just get up and get moving. Whatever works for you - it could be anything from a walk around the block or a few jumping jacks when you wake up to a HIIT session at your local gym. Getting your body in motion is energising and can improve your concentration and productivity throughout the day.
Don't touch your phone.
Most of us immediately reach for a screen when we wake up. And while checking our phones first thing may seem like something insignificant; it's not a good habit.
When you wake up in the morning and see a list of notifications, it triggers the brain into feeling that it has to take immediate action. A quick check of the phone can take you down a rabbit hole that inevitably ends up sabotaging plans for a relaxing start to the day.
To make this new ritual easier, get a real alarm clock and start charging your phone in another room rather than right next to your bed.
Drink water.
After eight hours of sleep, your body needs water to kickstart hydration for the day. Aim to drink at least one full glass of water within thirty minutes of waking up in the morning. Staying properly hydrated with help to improve concentration and ensure you don't develop a headache.