Starting A Morning Routine
Fall is coming! September brings in the return to routine. The emotions that come from the ending of summer and the beginning of autumn are something that many people feel deeply. Our RI therapists believe in harnessing the energy of the new season and setting some new intentions for your daily routine. Big feelings about changing seasons can be settled with investment into a new morning routine.
Starting the morning off right can set the tone for the day ahead. Research has shown that having a positive attitude before starting the work day can help with productivity and higher performance quality.
Here are some suggestions from our RI psychotherapy team to incorporate into your morning routine:
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. This will allow you to wake up with the optimal rest. If you are an early riser, plan your bedtime to allow for this important chunk of sleep. Excessive snoozing of your alarm isn’t great for quality sleep and disrupts the circadian rhythm, so experts recommend working on improving sleep hygiene rather than relying on the snooze button.
Stretch in bed - it’s good for you! Once you’ve opened your eyes, start stretching out your body while taking big deep breaths in and out. Feel free to add a mini meditation, mantra, positive affirmation, or send a good vibe out into the world while you stretch out your body.
If you must scroll on your phone before getting out of bed (we all do it!) then engage in mindful and inspiring screen time that will help set your day up right. Check your calendar for the day, send a good morning text to a friend or loved one, do a mini guided mediation, and/or look at some positive affirmations.
Once you’re out of bed, add in some mindful movement and/or meditation. Just 10-15 minutes of yoga can help awaken your mind and body and put you in a good mood to start the day. Some people are able to get a complete workout in before starting their day - if you have time to go for a run, hit the gym, or go to an exercise class - this is a great way to get going! When you start off your day by caring for yourself, you are reminding yourself that your wellbeing is the priority.
Hydrate and eat a healthy breakfast. It’s ok to have caffeine as part of your daily routine and it’s even better when it’s balanced out with water and good food. Some people like to prep their breakfast the night before (overnight oats, fresh cut fruit) and some people need something quick and easy to assemble in the morning (smoothies, eggs, etc). Aim for some protein if possible. Take your breakfast on the go if you don’t have time to sit and eat, but be sure to eat something!
Listen to music - pick a positive playlist to play while getting ready, driving to work, or setting out on your activities for the day. Choose something that brightens your day with good memories, fun beats, or inspiring sounds.
Put things in writing - this could be a full to-do list, some quick plans on a sticky note, a set of chores, or a journal entry. Writing things down means you will be more likely to remember what you wrote and feel committed to doing it.
Do you have a morning routine tip that you want to share with our community?!? Comment below with suggestions:)