Upgrade Your Morning Routine
As a Health Coach, a very common question I get is “What is your morning routine?”. This is one of my favorite subjects, as setting up a good morning routine helps set the tone for the rest of the day: if your morning routine is stimulating and uplifting, you’re much more likely to have a productive day. If your morning routine is lazy and moody, chances are that the rest of the day will be filled with negative self-talk and obstacles.
Here are my top tips to start the day on a healthy note.
Don’t hit the snooze button. Have you noticed that when you hit the snooze button, you get up reluctantly and somewhat grumpy? Train your body to get out of bed without having to be reminded twice and you’ll feel more accomplished.
Get into child’s pose before getting out of bed. This posture helps your body and mind transition from sleep to awake. Child’s pose promotes a stretch from your lower to upper back, and releases any tension from the hips. At the same time, by pressing your pituitary gland onto the mattress, you clear your mind and stimulate your creativity. Take at least 5 long, slow breaths.
Meditate for at least 5 minutes. Meditation, even if practiced for a short time, is a very potent tool to clear your mind and start the day fresh and sharp.
Journal for 10 minutes. Journaling is a great way to be present, organize your thoughts and set up focused and meaningful intentions for the day. It’s a great ritual to ensure your actions for the day are aligned with your intentions and goals.
Drink lemon water. Your body is probably dehydrated after the whole night. A full glass of water with lemon will rehydrate it, cleanse, boost your immune system and balance blood sugar levels.
Take a cold shower. Cold water will help clear your mind, boost your blood circulation and give you an energy boost. This doesn’t mean the whole time in the shower has to be under cold water, try it for a few seconds at a time.
Eat a nutritious, balanced breakfast. When you are properly nourished, you are much more resilient to the ups, downs and stresses of daily life. You can focus and perform better. Make sure you include protein, greens and healthy fats.
Feel free to adapt the routine to your reality. As a mom of 3, I am aware that it’s virtually impossible to hit all those steps every morning. But, in my experience, if I make time to have a conscious and meaningful morning routine, I am much more likely to have a happier, smoother and more productive day. Do take the above routine as a template and adapt it to your needs. The idea is to add some rituals that stimulate you and elevate your vibration, so you can meet the day in full shape, both physically and mentally.