As a busy working mom with 4 small kids, a sweet puppy, and an amazing but non-morning person husband, I know what a struggle it can be to start your day off on the right foot. You might envision waking up with a soft smile as you leisurely stretch in your immaculate all-white bed with the sun peeking in through the curtains. You then enjoy some alone time (whatever that is) with a steaming cup of coffee (inexplicably held with both hands) as you gaze thoughtfully out the window in your beautiful silk pajamas. Then Real Life steps in. There are alarms that didn’t go off, rushing around with stubbed toes, children screaming, people crying (maybe you??), hair that refuses to cooperate, and clothes that you absolutely cannot wear out of the house.
There is certainly no time for gentle stretching, gazing out windows, or pajama sets.
There has to be a better way… Hint hint! There is ;)
I've used the tips below to create true calm amidst the chaos, and start my days with intention, purpose, and more energy than I knew I had. Still working on the matching jammies 😉
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT A
MORNING ROUTINE?
I'm glad you asked! Research shows that positive morning routines lead to:
Calm, focus and ease
Greater happiness
Reduced Stress
Increased Productivity
Better Sleep
Enhanced Confidence
Let's plan it!
#1 A GREAT MORNING STARTS
THE NIGHT BEFORE
You know this already, but it bears repeating....
Get to bed early (or at least earlier - especially if you often wake up exhausted).
Put your phone down, turn the tv/computer off, read something (make it boring to accelerate sleep mode), or try a sleep meditation, and get some rest.
Set out your exercise clothes for the morning and anything else that will set you up for a successful day. As you may know, this is one of my very fav Snudges that helps me make good decisions around daily movement.
# 2: WAKE UP EARLIER
You knew that was coming 😉
Join Oprah, The Rock & Martha Stewart and get up early.
Create time for YOU.
Now, I know some of you do not consider yourselves 'morning people'.
But what if sleeping in, hitting snooze 30 times, or having trouble waking up was just a habit you've been practicing for sooooo long that it just feels like the truth?
Could you work to change your perspective on what that can look like in your life?
What if instead of "I'm not a morning person", you practiced telling yourself, "I'm working on waking up rested and happy at {insert time}".
What do you think could change??
Btw - It doesn't need to be 5 am; 10 minutes earlier than normal wake up time makes a BIG difference.
#3: ENJOY A QUIET MOMENT
Try a meditation, 3 breaths in bed (my fav!), a visualization, or just a moment of stillness.
No phone, no paper, no to-do list, just you + quiet.
BEST way to start the day.
Click HERE to learn about my experience at a 3 Day Silent Retreat and how you can successfully and happily incorporate more quiet time into your life.
#4: JOURNAL
"The simple act of writing something down is one of the most powerful tools we have for clarifying our own thinking." - David Allen
Yes!! I love that.
This inner reflection reduces stress, and leads to clarity, deep inner connection, and understanding.
This is by far, the BEST thing I do for my mental health.
Start small with 2 min a day (really, 2 minutes!) and work up to longer sessions if it suits you.
#5: MOVE YOUR BODY
Bodies in motion stay in motion.
Start every day with a few minutes of movement - 30 jumping jacks, 10 pushups, a walk around the block, or 20 sit- ups.
** IMPORTANT! Move to feel good in your body, not to change it.
BONUS! SPEAK KINDLY TO YOURSELF
"Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love." - Brené Brown
Start your day with positivity and self-love, and you will change the course of your life.
Look in the mirror and say something kind, and importantly genuine, to yourself.
Yes, this might feel silly, but also, who cares?
👉🏼 I put a sticky note on the inside of my toothbrush cabinet to remind me.
This works great because I see it at least twice a day and I do not have a sticky note on my bathroom mirror which would make me legit bonkers.
Click HERE to get a printable PDF of this info and a customizable Habit Tracker sent immediately to your email so you can make these new habits stick!
Happier, more positive, and very productive mornings are well within your reach.
Remember, keep it small. Start with one tip and go from there.
I love to hear from you, let me know how it goes!
Here's to great beginnings ☀️
Carolyn
xx
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