A good self-care practice starts first thing in the morning as it sets the tone for your entire day. I consider my morning routine the backbone to the life I live today. Dedicating 30 minutes (or less!) of my morning helps me be more efficient, active and just simply happier. Here are 3 small steps that inspire me and I hope do the same for you to have a healthier morning!
Keep your phone out of reach
Reaching for our phones first thing in the morning primes our brains to be distracted and can cause stress levels to be heightened from the moment you wake up. Not to mention, the blue light from our screens plays tricks on our bodies into thinking it’s mid-day. Many of us use our phones as an alarm clock – I know I am definitely guilty of this! However, the moment my alarm goes off, I simply turn it off and leave it in my bedroom while I carry on with my morning routine. If you don’t have the will power to not check the notifications after turning your alarm off, my tip is purchasing an old school alarm and keeping your phone out of reach upon going to bed!
Journal
There is just something about putting what is in our minds onto paper. Studies have shown that you are more likely to remember and execute something if you have written it down. Each morning I journal for two specific reasons. One, to set an intention/goal for my day. This could be an affirmation to yourself, writing down something you have been putting off, or maybe a simple quote you want to lead the day with. My second reason is to practice gratitude. After I set my intention for the day, I then write down what I woke up feeling grateful for. By having these two things in writing, I’ve made a commitment to myself to start the day with.
Hydrate, then caffeinate
Caffeine dehydrates us – yet the majority starts their day with a coffee or tea prior to having any water. Naturally, we wake up dehydrated, so reaching for caffeine first thing is a recipe for why we feel a mid morning “crash.” To avoid this, I drink a full glass of water with a half of a lemon squeezed into it while my coffee is brewing and I am writing in my journal. Such a simple way to help you feel more awake and promote gut health!
What steps do you take in the morning to set the tone for your day? I would love to hear about your morning routine!
Living Intuitively 