Why you need a morning routine to kick off the day and what mine looks like.
A common habit shared by some of the most successful people in the universe is following a morning routine. This is true for world leaders, business executives, athletes, actors, musicians, writers, and artists alike. Why? Morning routines set the tone of the day, help foster the feeling of connection and organization, and harness the strength of will power at its peak. It builds momentum for all that unfolds throughout the remainder of the day. Routines and rituals also happen to be a commonality between centenarians and super centenarians... aka people who live very long lives. Studies have shown that strong morning rituals help reduce stress and mental fatigue. Perhaps this is part of the reason why.
My morning routine help me get going without having to ask myself the question, "Hmmm, what shall I do first", which can become extremely overwhelming and absolutely stressful. I definitely don't get to do all the things on the list all the time, but it's never all or nothing. I do what I can, and for the most part, here is what it looks like, weekdays and ends. (Gregg's routine is very similar. If you want to know exactly what it looks like, write a note in the comments).
- Wake up naturally between 5 and 5:30am.
- Rub some essential oils on my temples and third eye (usually lavender or frankincense).
- Do a couple of rounds of breathing exercises (to be perfectly honest, I often tend to skip this).
- Meditate for about 20-30 minutes.
- Perform a few mobility exercises, which are like meditation for my body (some combination of joint mobility or CARS, push-ups, The Founder move, spinal twists).
- Make the bed. This is 100% crucial....it is closure to all the morning habits that happen in the sanctity of my bedroom and I feel unsettled without it!
- Drink a LARGE glass of water with lemon and a bit of sea salt.
- While I'm drinking water, the coffee is brewing.
- With coffee in hand, I try to write in my journal. If my daughter is up and we need to get our act together quickly to get to school on time, I don't get to this. When I do, I write at least 3 things I am grateful for, sometimes sketch and/or write random notes and plan out the day.
What does your morning routine look like? Need some help putting one together? Let us know!