It’s 9:30 PM and I can be found sipping on peppermint tea while munching on some chocolate. For me my morning routine begins the night before. It begins with going to bed around 10:00 PM so I can ensure that I get a full eight hours of sleep.
I’d like to mention that I am most certainly a ‘morning person’. I have been one for as long as I can remember and truly enjoying going to bed early and getting up early. I set my alarm anywhere between 6:00 and 7:00 AM and make sure that the alarm that wakes me up is a calm noise, not abrasive. This way when I hear my alarm in the morning it doesn’t immediately put me in a bad mood. Before I go to bed each night I turn my phone on airplane mode. Doing this ensures that I don’t wake up to a plethora of text messages and emails. Instead I have a blank screen and therefore a clear mind. I also DON’T have my phone charging right next to my bed. By charging my phone on the other side of the room I ensure that I don’t fall asleep looking at my phone and this also requires me to get out of bed in order to silence the alarm.
As soon as I turn off my alarm in the morning I let my first thought be one of gratitude. I am grateful to be alive and healthy. I tell myself what I am grateful for before I have any other thoughts enter my mind. No matter how poorly I may have slept I know that I have an infinite number of blessings in my life to be grateful for.
I make my bed, roll out my yoga mat, and grab the small piece of paper I placed on it the day before. On this little piece of paper are my wants and desires; what I am actively working towards manifesting into my life. I read over the list a few times and let the words sink in, feeling as if I already have that which I desire.
I start drinking my liter of water, open up my laptop, and begin my yoga practice for the day. Moving my body first thing in the morning (whether it is a 45 minute yoga video or a 5 minute self-guided flow) sets my mood for the rest of the day. It doesn’t have to be yoga, simply stretching in the morning can get your blood flowing and get you ready for the day ahead.
Once my yoga practice is complete I drink more water and then lay on my back. I recite my daily affirmations, set a timer for 10 minutes, close my eyes, and begin meditating. As I said in a recent blog post, meditating is a HUGE part of my morning routine. By doing it after my yoga I can pretty much ensure that I won’t be tempted to fall back asleep. I take time each morning to simply be. To not think about what I have to do today but rather to be present in the moment. Once my timer goes off I drink the remainder of my water and head downstairs.
I make breakfast, which is guaranteed to be oatmeal or a smoothie, and turn my phone off of airplane mode. While answering text and emails I eat my breakfast and put water on to boil. Once my tea has brewed I lock my phone and look outside while sipping on a big cup of happiness.
FULL DISCLAIMER: This is what I aim to have each morning look like. I’d be lying if I told you that EVERY morning went exactly as I wanted it to. Having a set routine has allowed me to start my mornings with self-care. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish. I believe that in order to best serve others we must first care for ourselves. I have found that this routine is what works best for me, but that doesn’t mean yours is going to look exactly the same. If there are a few parts of my routine that I could emphasize the most, it would be having a calm alarm, putting your phone in airplane mode, and moving your body.
Your alarm is the first noise you hear in the morning. If you hate how it sounds then you are waking up with a feeling of hate…which doesn’t sound like a pleasant way to start your day. I realize that not everyone can put their phone on airplane mode; some people have jobs or lives that require them to be on call. But if you are in a position that allows you to do this each night, I HIGHLY encourage it. Lastly, I cannot emphasize enough the utter importance and benefits of moving your body in the morning. After lying down for six to nine hours, your body has become stiff and tight. Even something as simple as touching your toes can help you get into this habit. Moving our bodies is an act of self-love, an act of gratitude.
Having a morning routine is all about MAKING TIME. By going to bed earlier you can ensure that you will get enough sleep and still have time for yourself before the rest of your day begins. Having a morning routine grounds me and allows me to start my day feeling inspired and motivated. So find what feels good and what works best for your unique schedule. Don’t be afraid to prioritize self-care; only then can we truly serve others to the best of our ability.