As summer draws to its end in the northern hemisphere, and with it, the long school break while down under shakes off the winter cold, it is the perfect time to create a new and improved morning routine.
Yoga should be part of your morning routine. But the most important thing is to instill calmness to begin the day and a sense of purpose to help guide its unfolding.
Here are some great tips to help you become a morning person.
Avoid the Alarm (If you Can)
You can reset your body clock to wake up earlier. It may take some time to get your circadian rhythm back in balance so that you can wake up at dawn.
You can try a number of things, such as dimming the lights in the evening and bringing in more light in the mornings, staying away from technology and caffeine, and sticking to your mealtime routine. If you must, you can use a relaxing alarm clock.
Real Wake Up
Open the blinds/windows, and then head to the bathroom. Splash your face with cool. Warm water will not do. Give yourself a good splash and let it shake off any sleep that you may have had.
Sunrise is a beautiful thing to see
You can enjoy the sunrise by synchronizing your sleep cycle with nature or using an alarm clock. If not the first glimmer, at least the glow in the sky when the sun is rising above the horizon.
Even if you can’t see the sunrise or if the weather is overcast or rainy, you can still enjoy the sounds of the morning. Birdsong is a great way to hear the city slowly waking up.
The Lemon Water Glass
This should be your first beverage of the day. It is best to use filtered water. This will kick-start your digestion and prepare you for your breakfast.
Now is the time for yoga.
It may seem that you can only manage a few poses, but anything you do will be helpful. Begin by standing in Tadasana, or Mountain Posture. This will help you to ground yourself and connect with the earth. Standing tall and vertical after sleeping in a horizontal position is a great way to readjust your spine.
You can do a Sun Salutation, which is great for mornings, or, if you are short on time, try a few Deep Forward Folds (Uttanansa), interspersed by a half lift to flatten the back and then using your breath to get up to standing. You can add a backbend between the folds.
Please see below for more information.
If the house is still, I prefer to do just a few yoga asanas and use the quiet and still time for meditation.
Choose your favorite guided meditation, chakra meditation, or mantra and breathwork.
Set Your Intention
Watch yourself carefully as you focus on your words.
Make your intention not something on your list of things to do but a statement about how you want to live your life (e.g., Today, I will be compassionate towards myself and others or find peace in the busy moments.
Write down your intention.
Keep a journal to record your intentions, but you can also (or in lieu of) make a note on your phone for daily check-ins and accountability.
Write
It is a luxury that I can fit into my morning. Usually, meditation is sacrificed when I write or create. Many authors will tell you that they wrote the bulk of their books in the morning.
Try something creative instead of writing. You can paint, draw, or color in.
Morning Cuppa
Did anyone say coffee? Please take a moment to smell your coffee or herbal tea, whether it contains caffeine or not. Wrap your hands around the mug to feel the warmth. The kettle or coffee percolator/machine will be well worth the effort.
You can juice it up and then make a meal out of it
Green juices and smoothies are a good way to start your day, but breakfast should not be skipped. You can keep going past the mid-morning munchies with oats, eggs, and avocado.
Make Your Bed
Take 60-90 seconds every morning to make your bed. This is regardless of what else you do in the morning – showering, brushing your teeth, making your lunch, doing laundry, or getting ready for work. You will feel calmer when leaving your house and even more so when you return to your bedroom.
These tips will help you establish a positive new routine. Even if you don’t become the best morning person in the world, they will at least get you moving. Let us know what you think!
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