I find that everyone has that ‘thing’ they do in the mornings to set them up for success. There are so many articles and videos on the morning rituals of successful people. I mean, countless! Although reading and viewing this material is a great way to get inspired, you do not need to follow every step of [name successful rich person here] to reap the benefits of having a successful day. It’s all about what will work for YOU, and ultimately bring YOU joy. Your morning ritual should not be a chore, it should be something you look forward to. Again, this will look different for everyone. And given your schedule or circumstance, maybe it is just one thing you add to your morning, and that may include taking five deep breaths and saying a prayer. And that’s great. There is no wrong or right way.
Personally, I don’t open any apps on my phone or look at social media for the first 30 minutes to an hour upon waking up, and I make sure I’m up before my husband to have my quiet time. This allows me to have full control of my morning, tune-in to how I’m feeling, maintain good vibrations (or create a path to good vibrations), and decide on what I really need to focus. Here is a list of my morning rituals to help me maintain my sanity and have a happy and productive day no matter what. I usually do 1-3 things from this list depending on how late I sleep in, LOL, or what I truly feel I need. I hope it inspires you!
Drink a full glass (16oz) of water
I always keep a full glass of water on my nightstand. I like to hydrate as soon as I wake up to feel lubricated and to get a little pick-me-up before I do the following rituals. Sometimes it’s with lemon and sometimes not. Again, it depends on how much time I have. Also, I don’t drink coffee until after 10 am (it’s way better on your body and adrenals!)
Meditate or take a few deep breaths
I am by no means the best meditator, but it really helps to start the day by centering myself and looking inward. I notice when I am consistent and do just 10-15 minutes, I am less reactive to things during the day, and I am more clear-headed and grounded.
Pray
Sometimes I feel like I am praying all day, haha. But in the mornings it can be a quick, ‘Thank you, God, for waking me up this morning’. And other days it is much longer.
Exercise for 30 minutes
This is the most important one for me aside from drinking a glass of water. It is essential to my having energy and feeling my best. When I miss a day, I feel like crap. I alternate between, Low-Intensity Steady State Cardio (LISS), strength training, yoga and pilates. I try to do LISS at least three times a week. And I always listen to whatever my body needs that day.
Journaling
I could sing the praises of journaling all day. I have been journaling since I was a kid. I never stopped. I almost feel like it’s even more powerful now that I am older. How I approach journaling depends on what’s going on in my life. I will usually carve out 5-10 minutes to either release my thoughts and feelings, write affirmations, or jot down my goals for the day. And I always include points of gratitude. It helps give me clarity and to hone in on what’s important to me.
Watch, listen or read something positive
Many times while I’m on the treadmill doing LISS or taking the dog out, I will play a motivational YouTube video or listen to interviews to get me inspired. Or read the bible or another book right after I journal. I do not listen to the news, yet. That’s a no-no for me.
Yearly goals review
Typically, I add this to my routine at the beginning of each quarter, to check-in and see where I am with my goals, and to see if I need to adjust things. I also use this to identify what I really need to focus on.
Carving this time out for myself in the morning is really important to me because I get so many benefits from it. If I can get my top three rituals in (meditation or prayer, journaling and exercise), I feel at my very best that day.
What is your morning ritual? Share in the comments!