There’s nothing more valuable than a consistent morning routine. Your waking habits can make or break the rest of your day. Establishing a routine to start your day is said to improve energy, productivity and positivity, while also being beneficial for your mental health, something that is becoming increasingly important in light of the ongoing pandemic. For this reason, it’s ideal that you’re mindful about what actions you take as you rise out of bed.
To help you start your day off right, here are some suggestions on what to incorporate for a mindful morning routine:
Start a Journal
The benefits of keeping a journal are numerous. Journals give you an opportunity to vent your frustrations, plan your goals for the day, and check-in with yourself. By recording your thoughts and feelings each morning, a journal becomes a useful tool to help you become more mindful.
To get you started, we’ve provided a mindful morning journal exercise sheet below. Print out the sheet and fill out the prompts as you wake. If you make a daily habit of this exercise, you’ll be able to begin your days with more intention and purpose.
Download the mindful journal exercise here.
Meditation
While meditation has been around for thousands of years, the practice is more relevant today than ever before. Our attention spans are at an all-time low as we scroll through TikTok and Instagram watching funny videos and avoiding our problems. Meditation first thing in the morning helps you calm your busy mind and reconnect with the present moment.
Although the practice might seem intimidating, there’s nothing to it. All you need is a quiet space, a comfortable place to sit, and a timer. Set your timer for five to ten minutes and focus on breathing. If you get distracted, don’t worry. Refocus your attention back on your breath and wait until your alarm sounds.
When you sit consistently, you start your day on the right track and train yourself in patience and mindfulness. In the long run, meditation can help you reduce stress and sharpen your focus.
Get Your Body Moving
For a boost of energy in the morning, there’s nothing better than exercise. Whether you’re doing yoga or lifting weights, moving your body makes for a great start to the day.
Particularly, running is one of the best ways to get your mind active and burn some calories while you’re at it. To make things more interesting, you might even do laps around a nearby park for a scenic jog. Just make sure that you have the right athletic sneakers for women. Especially if you’re running on concrete, you want to ensure you keep your feet healthy and protected.
Positive Affirmations
When optimism doesn’t come easy, positive affirmations can make for a perfect morning activity. All you have to do is choose a phrase that you want to embody and repeat it until you’re satisfied (the more times the better). Here are some helpful affirmations you can use:
- I am in charge of my own life
- I am a magnet for wealth and abundance
- Every day I become a better version of myself
- I will attract fulfilling, loving relationships
- I am loved, I am valued, and I matter
For an added reminder of positivity throughout the day, use one of the wallpapers below. Every time you see an affirmation on your lock screen, repeat it either out loud or in your head. You’ll be feeling more cheerful in no time.
Download the affirmation wallpapers here and here.
When you start your mornings with a dose of mindfulness, your day can only get better from there. That being said, don’t try to incorporate too many new habits all at once. Change takes time. With incremental progress, you’ll have a solid morning routine before you know it.
