“Good morning is not just a word, its an action and a belief to live the entire day well. Morning is the time when you set the tone for the rest of the day. Set it right!”
Fain Blake
Every morning when we rise, each and every one of us are given a precious and priceless gift. We have the opportunity to start fresh. Whether you consider yourself to be a morning person or not, creating a simple routine in the morning when you wake up can set you on the right track to move through your day with a little bit more ease and grace. And, who would not want a little less effort in their lives these days?
“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”
Meister Eckhart
1. Linger a little longer
Let the first thing you do when you open your eyes be just that. Open your eyes. Give yourself and opportunity to drink in this precious moment of awakening. Many of us literally dread that moment each day when you have to wake up. Let’s be honest. If you actually dread opening your eyes in the morning – is that really setting yourself up for a good beginning to the rest of the day? This may take some practice, but if you allow yourself 3-5 minutes to wake up slowly and gently, stretching your body, feeling the rest that you received the night before preparing you for the day ahead and actually visualizing yourself having a great day – then you are giving yourself the best possible start to having a great day!
2. Wait a while before turning on your computers
For at least 30-45 minutes after you wake up, try not to have any devices working on you. No television. No computer. No phone. Your email will be there. Facebook will be there. The to-do lists and the calendars will be there.
3. Have a glass of warm water with lemon.
Studies show that drinking a glass of warm lemon water supports immune function, battles bad breath, can jumpstart weight loss and much, much more. It also just makes you feel good. And that’s a good thing.
4. Find a few moments for stillness
It’s no surprise any more that meditation is good for the body, mind and spirit. Taking five to 15 minutes a day to still your mind and focus on your breath, a mantra, a flower or just simply taking a quiet walk in nature aids in lowering stress levels, more restful sleep and cultivating more mindfulness throughout your day.
5. Don’t forget to say “thank you”
Starting your day with a thankful heart is such a simple but impactful practice. You can end your meditation by taking a few moments to sit with gratitude for all of the things in your life you wish to give thanks for.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
Marcus Aurelius
