Start the Day Right!
The way you start your day can make or break the rest of it. Create a morning routine that sets you up for a healthy, focused, enjoyable day.
A daily spiritual morning routine will help you be centered in your truth and help you cultivate your willpower - inner strength.
According to studies, willpower is highest in the mornings. And because our self-control typically decreases during the day, early morning is the best time to get things done. So whether your routine involves exercise, relaxation, or reading, accomplishing something in the morning is a powerful way to start your day.
And here's the thing.
Creating a morning routine isn’t about fitting in extra work tasks before breakfast.Instead, it’s about starting your day in a confident and peaceful state of mind. So, although establishing a morning routine might take some dedication, the benefits are absolutely worth it.
Do you have a morning routine? Probably not.
If your typical morning involves hitting the snooze button, grabbing something for breakfast, and rushing out the door, you’re not alone.
Most of us live time-poor and responsibility-filled lives. But when we start the day in a stressed state, we end up losing out overall. Fortunately, creating a consistent morning routine is one of the easiest ways to turn this around. By improving our morning habits, we can significantly boost our health, happiness, and productivity.
Most people are at their most productive first thing in the morning. You’re rested, refreshed, and ready to go. And when you create a routine that nurtures that energy, it can help you to stay focused for longer throughout the day.
Establishing a morning routine is a great opportunity to exercise more.
Instead of scrolling through social media for 30 minutes, you could develop a morning yoga practice or go for a refreshing walk.
It could even be as simple as dedicating five minutes to stretching. However you decide to do it, moving intentionally in the morning is a positive way to start your day.
Sticking to a routine also means you’ll have more time for a nutritious breakfast. A healthy breakfast helps to regulate blood sugar and energy levels, making it easier to focus. And when breakfast is part of your routine, you’re less likely to grab a cereal bar or sugar-filled drink on the go.
For many of us, finding ways to reduce stress is a major concern. Cortisol, the stress hormone, has been linked to health issues and research has shown that workplace stress can be as damaging as secondhand smoke. By establishing a consistent morning routine, you can give yourself the chance to intentionally look at your workday. If you prioritize tasks and break each one down into manageable steps, you might find that you can approach your day with less stress and more confidence.
Five Recommendations For a Healthy Morning Routine
1. Keep your phone away from your bed
Keeping your phone on your nightstand makes it far too easy to grab it in the mornings for some aimless scrolling. Checking news sites and social media isn’t the most positive way to start the day. And staying disengaged for as long as possible after waking feels refreshing. Cutting down on screen time is also a great way to free up space for exercising, meditating, or preparing for your day.
2. Set a positive tone for the day
Setting a positive tone for the day can be as simple as feeling grateful for 3 specific blessings in your life. Perhaps as simple as a kind word from a friend or the fresh water that flows from your faucet. Or it might involve a short meditation, five minutes of journaling, or practicing an effective relaxation technique. Doing something positive for yourself first thing is incredibly powerful – it can put you in a great state of mind for the rest of the day
3. Focus on your breathing pattern
As daily tasks pile up, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of slowing down. Breathing exercises are one of the most effective ways to connect with the present and calm the mind. So as part of your morning routine, spend a few minutes focusing on your breathing. Even Breathing (Sama Vrtti) , Alternate Nostril Breathing ( Nadi Shodahana) highly effective techniques that are suitable for beginners. And each one will help you start your day in a fresh and energized state of mind.
4. Get Your Prana Flowing
Make the most of your peak in willpower by incorporating exercise into your morning routine. You don’t need hours to do this – you could flow through a 15 - 30 minute yoga routine, go for a run near your home, or follow a short workout. Check some of mine out here>>> Get moving in the morning and your body will thank you.
5. Eat a nutritious breakfast
A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. It can be as simple as oatmeal with blueberries, a green smoothie, or a couple of poached eggs. But eating a nutrient-dense breakfast in the morning will give you the energy you need to have a productive, successful day.
Health experts, entrepreneurs, and coaches now agree that a structured morning routine can help us to achieve success in our daily lives. What that routine involves, and how strictly you follow it, is up to you. But no matter what you decide, simply starting your day on a positive note has the potential to increase your overall health, happiness, and productivity.
A morning routine or daily spiritual practice helps us dismantle the confusion in our mind, so we re-enter life with clarity and a strong inner purpose.
May all of our lives be filled with purpose and intention.