Now that we’re well into the New Year, it’s time to take a look at how we start our day. More specifically, our morning routine.
That might seem a little crazy to some, but how you spend your first couple of hours in the morning, sets the tone for how your whole day pans out…
This morning routine I’m about to share with you is how I started to Live My Best Life. And it’s incredibly simple to implement into your life.
I’m going to take you through just 8 things I do every morning (or at least strive to do 6 of these!) and why they have such a positive impact on the day ahead.
Not only are they setting up every day for success, but the weeks and months ahead. These 8 aspects to any morning routine are the keys to staying focused and motivated to your goals.
Are you ready to take control of your life?
Are you ready to completely up your game every day?
Start implementing these key morning routine practices and you’ll notice a real difference to how you go about your day, goals and life in general.
1. Read, 10 mins or 10 pages
To start the day I find it incredibly relaxing to take 10 minutes to focus on personal development work with a book.
Focusing on how to grow and improve as a person is key to starting the day in the right way.
The perfect places to start with this is The Secret by Rhonda Bryne, The Chimp Paradox and my ultimate favourite, Mindset.
2. Hydrate
This might seem like a really odd thing to make a part of your morning routine but it’s actually incredibly important. When you’re asleep for six to eight hours at a time your body wakes extremely dehydrated.
The best way to rehydrate in the morning is either a full glass of cold water or your favourite morning pick-me-up. Have you tried hot water with lemon? A healthy warm morning hydration.
Combine this with reading first thing to save time…
3. Gratitude
Straight after reading for 10 minutes (or just 10 pages – whichever comes first – everyone reads at different paces), I take out my A5 notebook and write down at least three things that I’m feeling grateful for.
“I am so grateful that…”
“I am so happy and grateful now that…”
Write your goals and dreams into existence with the practice of gratitude.
This is one of the most powerful exercises to take away from this blog post. If there’s nothing else you take from it, make it this one simple and short practice. I promise you that this has the power to change your life around for the better.
4. Journal
This is something new I have been trying out for the last few months… I’ve added a quick five minute journal to my morning routine. I ask the same questions every day to help plan the day ahead in a positive way…
What can I be excited about today? (If there isn’t something immediate, what can you make up to do or add into your schedule that you could get excited for?)
What or who might trip me up or cause stress today, and how can I respond in a positive way, from my truest self?
How do I want to feel as I go about my day today?
How will I approach what needs to be done today?
Who can I surprise today with a thank you, gift or moment of appreciation?
5. Meditate
This is another addition to my morning routine… Having overlooked the power and goodness of meditation for a good few years, I was reluctant to give it a go again. After reading and hearing so much good that can come out of it for so many other people, I had to give it another shot.
It is said that you should meditate every day for at least 10 minutes to really feel the benefits from it. My recommendation for you if you’re just starting out is to find a guided meditation on YouTube. Search for motivating or focus based meditations for the morning.
6. Affirmations
The last area of the mindful focused practices for my morning routine is Affirmations. For anyone that may not know what the practice of affirmations are; they are sentences or statements that you say to yourself in front of a mirror that gives emotional support or encouragement.
It is good to start of by writing 15-20 affirmations down in a notebook or on a piece of paper which you can then refer back to when you come to this practice each morning. Pick up to 10 affirmations each morning and feel the encouragement from yourself!
7. Movement
One thing I do in the morning that really gets me feeling awake and ready to take on the day is a quick HIIT workout or a bit of yoga. It’s really important to make sure you get some form of exercise, it helps to train your mind to be more focused!
If yoga isn’t your thing, why not try getting out for a quick run or brisk walk? Anything to get your body moving and those endorphins pumping! Failing this, a bit of stretching will do.
8. Breakfast
Okay, you’ve probably heard this a million times before and it’s probably getting pretty old now… But seriously! Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and one that you absolutely should not skip!!
You don’t need to be all fancy and prepare avocado and poached eggs on toast every day – no one has time for that during the week. Pick something easy and nutritious that will fill you up for the whole morning.
Whilst these eight things to do every morning seem great and really positive ways to start the day, they can also feel quite daunting. Especially if you’re not used to having a set morning routine in place.
It is important to understand that it takes perseverance to incorporate these things into your morning. It won’t happen over night. And the main thing is to not beat yourself up if for one morning you don’t have time to do them…
It will take time getting used to giving yourself well needed self love first thing in the day. Normally for many, self love only comes when everything else is done for the day. But by then all you really want is sleep.
Don’t worry, just keep at it when you can and you will get there.
I really hope this post has inspired you in some way to enhance your morning routine. Or if you don’t currently have one, given you an insight into some of the things that you could do to start your day well.
How do you like to start your day? Do you have any go-to practices that help you start the day more positively? Share it with us in the comments below!
Take care,
Jessica xo
References:
Journal, Woman Delice – https://woman-delice.com/kak-rabotat-iz-doma-i-ne-sojti-s-uma/
Breakfast, The Vivaluxury – https://thevivaluxury.com/2016/01/getting-grammy-ready-with-olay/
