Did you ever document your morning rituals? You know, those tasks you enjoy doing each day that help you make your day better. If you never did this before, here are some tips to make your morning ritual exactly the way you want it.
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What is a morning ritual?
A ritual should improve your life. It should be easy to do, and you should enjoy it. It is not a rushed task though you can realistically decide how long you want it to take.
What are the benefits of having morning rituals?
- Gives you focus
- Helps you ease into your day
- Balances your energy and helps reduce stress
- Makes you the best of you
- Allows you to keep it real before work and all the other tasks that happen in your day.
What does a morning ritual look like?
I'm glad you asked. =) A morning ritual for me looks like this:
First, I woke up early before kids, at least an hour before bed, depending on when I went to bed. Mediation 15 minutes at the most or 4-7-8 breathing exercise I particularly like this one from Dr. Weil or 20 minutes of listening to an inspiring recording or podcast.
Then, I shower, take care of myself, and prepare for the day.
My husband and I will take the dog for a walk, then bring him home and walk with my husband for one hour and three miles.
Then, I make camomilla tea and another glass of ginger/turmeric/mint tea. I drink my tea at a delicate temperature so I can drink it right away.
While my water is coming up to a boil in the kitchen, I prepare my breakfast and read some articles before starting my day in my office.
It's still a work in progress. I would love to add more activities, like a workout. Some days I do an exercise when the schedule is less tight on time.
Start Your Day Off Right Tips
Here are some additional ideas to help you start your day off right:
- Add stretching. I remember my father doing yoga every morning as a kid. I was so impressed with his ability to do a headstand so easily.
- Add exercise (walking, then running 20 minutes).
- Read something inspiring.
- Talk about your life goals or ideas with your partner.
- Write down inspirational notes to yourself.
- Write down your to-do list and visualize your day.
How to start your new morning ritual?
Write down on paper the list of morning rituals you want to do. Start off with a few tasks and add as needed. Remember that it takes 30 days to make this a habit, so keep it up for 30 days and determine how it helps. Then, change as needed.
That's pretty much it. How do you start your day on the right foot? What is your morning ritual, and do you have any tips? Please leave a comment below and join the conversation.
Here are more tips from other experts to help you get your morning off right.
5 Powerful Morning Rituals for People Who Hate Mornings
The Zen of Waking Up Early: 10 ways to solidify a morning wake-up ritual
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Deb Lee says
Having a morning routine is essential to having a great day. I get up before everyone else, drink water, exercise, and then grab coffee. I’ve recently added something new to my morning routine. While I’m exercising, I listen to a business. So far, so good!
Seana Turner says
Morning is one of those times where rituals are most easily formed... before the worries of the day crash in. I begin with prayer before I get out of bed:) Then brush my teeth (and wash my retainers), and change my clothes. I head downstairs, sip some water, turn on my coffee and then go down to the basement for exercise. Then I come upstairs, drink a glass of ice water while preparing breakfast. Then is the best part - devotions, coffee, breakfast and reading. Some times I can spend an hour, other times I only have 10 minutes. I enjoy this routine because it feels like I get to start the day intentionally.
Diane Quintana says
I love my morning routine! I think having a ritual or a routine to follow is key to easily starting your day. I loved reading about your ritual and your suggestions.
Linda Samuels says
My morning rituals have shifted over the years. These days I work on a gentle waking up where I can ease into the day before work begins. I have a personal care regiment where I take my time to enjoy brushing my teeth and washing my face. That's followed by meditation which ranges in time depending on what the schedule is for that day. Journal writing comes next followed by making the bed, showering, and dressing. A simple breakfast with a nice hot cup of tea caps off my morning rituals. At that point, I'm ready, fully awake, refreshed and excited to embrace the day.
Beth Niebuhr says
I wake up 2 or 3 hours before my husband does. I'm a lark and he's an owl. I enjoy the leisure of riding my stationary bike, doing some exercises and getting started on my day's to-do list.
Christine says
My morning ritual consists of getting coffee into me as soon as possible, and reading the news on my phone! I would love to get back into the habit of morning yoga, it really makes you feel great!
William Rusho says
A great post. I think consistency with a routine is the key. As long as you maintain your routine, it is no longer a routine, but a habit. Once it is a habit, you will continue to do it.
Kire Sdyor says
The word ritual frightens me. I'll settle for habits. I have many morning habits that change as the seasons do.
Pamela Chollet says
Mornings are blissful and represent a day full of possibilities I start each day with 2 hours of Ashtanga Yoga practice. It's breathing meditation and yoga flow. You practice at sunrise when your energy is one with the dawning of the day. It's energizing, calming and fills me with gratitude.
Doreen Pendgracs says
Hi Sabrina: I definitely have my morning rituals, and my day just doesn't run the same if something interferes with them! I always get up at least an hour before my husband (except on weekends) so that I have time to read my e-mail, perhaps do a blog post or something else that requires concentration. If he gets up too early and cuts into my 'quiet time' it takes me awhile to get my focus back on track.
Jeri says
The day does not start until I get my 20-30 minutes of coffee sipping and morning news watching time. I'm trying to work meditation into my morning mix, but new habits take so long to properly cultivate and commit to.
Tim says
I can barely make my way into the shower in the morning without bumping into a wall let alone a head stand. Good for him. Now night time, that's when I come alive.
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
I never thought about getting intentional with my morning routines. I usually stumble around, trying to get the kids to school, and once they're gone I take a deep breath and figure out how to really start my day. You've given me some good food for thought!
Tuhin says
I have a morning ritual too. I wake up early to hit the gym without fail.
Until a year back, I used to wake up very late every morning. Thanks to this ritual, I feel better now...
Nice post Sabrina...
Erica says
I totally can't imagine doing a headstand first thing in the morning, but good for your dad! My morning routine is somewhat similar to yours. I focus myself, shower and make my morning smoothie. On certain days when I have time, I then do yoga. So I do at times do a headstand in the morning, but I've been up for a couple hours at that point!
Lenie says
My morning rituals - ones that I love. In Winter grab my coffee and watch the fire in my stove - totally mellowing. In Summer, I take my coffee to my backyard patio and either drink it sitting down and enjoying what's around me or else walking around talking to my plants. Either way, the most relaxing way to start the day.
Phoenicia says
I have my morning routine;
Pray
Read the bible
Prepare 'to do list' for the day
Brisk walking
This part of the day is just for me!
Donna Janke says
It's good that you incorporate healthful stress-reducing things in your morning ritual - e.g. meditation. My own morning ritual has been changing over the past couple of years as my lifestyle changes, so I cannot say at this point I have a consistent ritual. And the consistent parts change when I winter in Arizona, but I appreciate the value of a ritual to start the day.
Marquita Herald says
Wonderful topic. I never thought of it as a ritual but now that I read your tips I think it definitely qualifies. I let my dog outside and start the coffee. Then I spend a little time in the dark on my deck enjoying the quiet Maui morning and all of the stars as the sky begins to slowly grow lighter and the sun rises over Mt. Haleakala. Then I read the morning news and take my dog for a nice long walk before I get to work. Simple, but it really starts my day the right way.
Patricia Weber says
Morning rituals are what propel me through the rest of my day. When I miss them (like if we are flying out early or something like that which interferes) then the rest of the day seems to miss beats. When I rise I read the bible, meditate, write my top 3 to 5 things I am grateful for, make coffee for my husband (and sometimes me), herbal tea for myself and then I'm ready to shower and all those bathroom activities! By the time I'm finished my husband is up and we might enjoy a protein drink together. Then the day begins. I actually look forward to my Pomodoro breaks (every 25 minutes) to hula hoop or some other 7 minute exercise routine. Gee, my day is pretty ritualized!
Jacqueline Gum says
Oh I do enjoy my mornings. I start with coffee while I watch the sun rise...in silence! This is my form of meditation. Then I stretch before I work out and then tackle my to do list!