If you’re reading this, you’re probably ready for change – whether it’s Sunday evening and you’re getting ready for a productive week, or it’s already 6am on Thursday and you’ve realised you need to start doing things differently, it doesn’t matter. I swear by the fact that a few small changes can make big changes to your mental and physical health, so I am going to share some of my favourites.
During winter, the cold mornings and lack of early sunshine can make it that much harder to get out of bed and start your day right, but once you have a plan and stick to it, these ‘rituals’ will become automatic. The key is to form a routine that works for you – whatever season, and whatever your mood.
Who Needs a Morning Ritual?
Many successful individuals swear that a good morning routine or ritual is the key to their success… From sports professionals and film stars to office workers and personal trainers like myself! Whatever your profession or life story, you’re here because your time is precious and you want to make the most of every minute of your day. If you have a goal, then a morning ritual is going to help you reach it!
My Morning Rituals and Routine
Firstly – I do this everyday (well, most days) – they are habits I have formed that shape every part of my day – they empower me and prepare me for anything thrown at me, making them a priority to me. My alarm goes off in my Perth home (or wherever I am in the world) and these are the first things I focus on.
- Step 1:
I open my book of positive quotes, flick to a page and read – starting my day with an instant injection of positivity is inspiring and puts a big smile on my face. That affirmation for the day is what gets me up in the morning and keeps me going until my head hits the pillow. - Step 2:
I shuffle my deck of dear universe cards. Picking one of my beautiful cards is another part of my ritual I really look forward to. It puts that spring in my step. - Step 3:
It’s time for coffee! Now this isn’t for everyone, but I do love my caffeine hit in the morning, and there is nothing wrong with that. I make a large mug with my favourite, almond milk, sit and relax. - Step 4:
Sip. This quiet time to myself is a rarity and I like to make the most of it – just spending time with my own thoughts and preparing for the day ahead. In a way, this is my time to meditate, get all my thoughts out and gives me the ability to start fresh.
Benefits of Morning Routine
My morning ritual is empowering – and so should yours! You should finish up feeling inspired and ready to take on the day. A good morning routine will increase your energy, raise your mood and help you hit targets, whether they are long-term or need to be complete within the next hour!
Tip: Your body-clock is also pretty quick at getting into a routine, so setting your alarm at the same time everyday (if your lifestyle allows) will also make it far easier to get up on a chilly winter morning.
How to Develop a Habit
It’s time to put your morning routine into practise. The first thing to realise is that this plan should be one you could wake up and do for the rest of your life – it needs to be achievable. So try and stick to a morning routine that you can keep up – think about the fact that you are going to try and do this on a daily basis, therefore you don’t want it to be too long, or too complex, as you’ll get distracted, or won’t ‘have the time’ to stick to it. Depending on your personality, you could make a big change now, or another option is to start small and develop your morning rituals over time.
Making Time for your Morning Rituals
If you’re one of those people that runs around the house every morning, multi-taking – breakfast in one hand, phone in the other, juggling everything you need to get done and rushing out the door, then things need to change. Whether you’re a morning person or not, unfortunately, a good morning ritual needs to take place in the morning, hence the name. Therefore, if your current routine doesn’t allow time for it, it might be worth setting your alarm clock just a little earlier to accommodate. Start small – maybe even just give yourself an extra five minutes and incrementally increase the time you need as your body clock adjusts to the change.
Reaching Your Health and Fitness Goals One Step at a Time
From morning stretching and yoga, to meditation or a cup of green tea, many successful individuals have simply found that ‘special something’ that helps them start their day on a positive note. Everyone’s morning routine should be different, whether it is a slight adaptation of someone else’s, or a number of rituals very specific to the individual – do what is right for you.
Remember, these rituals can be adaptable, they will inevitably change depending on different stages of your life. Although you want to form a routine and consistent habits, don’t feel like you are bound to one way of doing things. Sometimes it is good to mix it up!
Getting Started
Morning rituals are a great place to start, after all, they get you in the right mindset for the rest of the day – that’s why I thought this blog was an ideal place to start. With lots more exciting ideas for content, make sure to watch this space, follow us on social media, or subscribe to our emails to make sure you don’t miss out on the next one.
Need a hand putting together your morning routine and discovering the right ritual for you? Get in touch!
Denise, Bodytech Founder x