morning ritual

Mornings are sacred. Each one offers us a brand new opportunity to write our future, starting right there and then. A day seems like a small unit of time, but they're the building blocks of your life. Everything great that was ever created was done one day at a time, and they all started in the morning.

Last week we introduced the notion of morning rituals and why you might benefit from them. This week I'm taking it a step further by providing you with a list of potential activities to help you create a morning ritual of your own.

What you do in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. If your morning is disorganised, rushed and something you start dreading the night before, there's a high chance the rest of your day will follow suit.

On the other hand, starting your day your way with a morning ritual that nurtures your health, wellbeing, and desire to achieve your goals can have a profound effect on your life. At worst, it puts you in the box seat to kick the day's butt - at best, it will set your day (and your soul) on fire, and will propel you towards the life you've always dreamed of.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. - Maria Robinson

Creating a powerful morning ritual

A powerful morning ritual is a set of activities that is empowering, intentional, and mindful, performed in the same order and fashion immediately after you wake up.

For the best effects, choose 2 or 3 of the activities below that make up a total of 30-60 minutes and perform them tomorrow morning in whatever order that feels good (just make sure it's the same order every time).

To kick start you, here's mine (though I warn you, mine takes about 1.5 hours!):
Wake, tongue scrape (more on that another day), warm apple cider vinegar drink, meditation, walk, leisurely and healthy breakfast. I very rarely stray from this little routine and feel quite out of whack when I do! 

So, what might you do, if not already?

Meditation

A daily meditation practice can change your life. Meditation relaxes and sharpens your mind, which skyrockets your focus and concentration, greatly drops stress and anxiety, and stabilises your energy. Start with 5 minutes as a beginner and move to 15-20 minutes later. Apps like Mindfulness or Headspace are great tools to help start your practice without too much effort. I am a vedic meditator.

Make your bed

It sounds small, but making your bed every morning can have a tremendous effect on your day. It's a tiny accomplishment you can tick off every morning that kick starts your momentum, stops you going back to bed, and offers a continuous touch of organisation and peace in your bedroom. And, it only takes 5 minutes!

Prepare yourself some tea

Preparing and drinking tea offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and become mindful of your body and sensations - for the Japanese, this commands a ceremony in itself. Choose yourself a special blend and a favourite mug, and perform the process with grace and gratitude.

morning ritual tea

Go for a walk

You can’t beat the feeling of fresh air on your skin in the morning. Just 15-20 minutes a day can unlock all of the benefits of walking, like boosts in your energy levels, a lifted mood, mental clarity, and improved physical strength. Walking is a natural way to wake yourself up and charge your energy for the day, which is why it's part of the morning rituals of some of the world's most effective people.

Write a journal

Reflecting and speaking your mind on paper every day weaves the threads your life experience together into the beautiful fabric that it is. It also clears space in your mind for the day ahead. Spend either 5 or 20 minutes scribbling about the day before, the day ahead, or even just what’s on your mind.  

Practice Gratitude

There is immense power behind a daily practice of gratitude. Feeling gratitude puts you in an energetic space of appreciation of things you love, which attracts more just like it. Keep a gratitude diary on paper or on your phone, and each morning take 5 minutes to write 3 things you feel thankful for being a part of your life.

Prepare a healthy breakfast

A nourishing breakfast is essential to healthy brain function and peak physical performance. Preparing a meal can be an enjoyable ritual especially if you’re creating something that gives your body the nutrition it needs. It doesn’t have to be complex or take long either – check out our healthy breakfast ideas for some inspiration.

Get a daily dose of motivation

I've left this until last because if there's anything you need to include to have an amazing day, it's this. Devoting 10-15 minutes to connecting with your heart and your goals will ensure you're staying true to yourself and heading in the direction of your dreams. Watch motivational videos, visualise the perfect day and how it would feel, review your life's purpose - then go out there and make it happen!

It all starts with one morning

It might be hard at first, but every time you complete a morning ritual your body biologically adjusts that little bit more - so the hardest time will always be the first. After that, it's all a slippery slope baby!

Have you got a morning ritual that sets fire to your day? Let us know below! 

August 04, 2016 — Amy Crawford

Made by Amy

be your truth