I always keep it real, this post was suppose to be published yesterday. However, I wasn’t in a good enough space to finish writing it because I went to bed really late the night before, woke up tired and didn’t give myself the time to have my morning ritual. A morning ritual is a great way to start your day as it sets the tone for the whole day. I’m sure you’ve heard people say many times: “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Does that sound familiar?
I’ve been able to finish and publish this post by stepping back and restarting my day. I took time to do something I enjoy and that’s moving my body. Dancing does wonders for me and I know when all else fails or doesn’t get me quite where I want to be, I turn the music on and dance! As you know I’m a Zumba instructor and I’ve felt recharged after teaching a class after a difficult day.
How do you start your day? Do you meditate, take some time for yourself or do you go straight to checking your phone, e-mails, social media, the news or get ready fast and rushed out the door to get to work? Many of these things create stress, anxiety, and set the tone for our day….most likely it will be a pretty hectic and busy day where we feel like we’re constantly in surviving mode.
What do you enjoy doing, gets you in a peaceful state, makes you feel great and gets you energized for the day? That’s what you want to do in the morning. There are many benefits to having a morning ritual and one of the major ones is it allows you to get things done and truly show up in the world as your true self. When you start your day doing something you love, you are caring and loving yourself and it really impacts your day. Giving yourself 15-20 minutes in the morning to center yourself is important and you will be a much happier and successful person when you do this.
My morning ritual entails starting my day with a prayer and meditation and many times I’ll have a cup of warm lemon water with ACV (apple cider vinegar) and recently I added oil pulling to my am ritual as well. Then I practice a few yoga poses like sun salutations, cat and cow, some warrior poses and frog pose to get my body moving. Moving our bodies in the morning sends a signal that we’re ready to start a productive day. I’ve also done some spiritual readings and or some affirmations at times. It all depends on what’s on my schedule that day. However, my morning prayer and meditation is non-negotiable even if I shorten the time.
I didn’t always have a morning ritual and I started having one a few years ago when I realized the benefits and noticed the difference in my mood, I call it my spiritual bath. I’ve added to it and increased the duration over time.
Here are a few suggestions you may include or add to your morning ritual. Remember it’s important to find what you enjoy, resonates and works for you.
– Prayer
– Meditation
– Read a passage or a few pages from an inspiring/spiritual book
– Write 5-10 things you are grateful for in your gratitude journal
– Use affirmations, get creative if you want to and create your own (one of my favorites from Louise Hay is Life loves me and all my needs are met at all times)
– Yoga (a few poses to awaken your body or if you have time and choose to, a full class)
– A Cup of warm lemon water with ACV (I’ve also added honey to mine at times)
– A cup of your favorite tea
– Go for a nice walk
– Listen and dance to music you love as you get ready for the day (one my favorites to start my day now is Happy by Pharrell Williams)
Having a morning ritual that involves things you enjoy is powerful and impacts your whole day. Wake up earlier if you need to. As I mentioned, if one day you forget or oversleep, you can stop, get still for a few minutes and do something that you enjoy from your morning ritual for a few minutes to hit the reset button. It’s never too late to start the day again. Just because your morning and/or afternoon didn’t go well doesn’t mean your day has to end the same.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and please share your morning ritual in the comment section thanks! I’ve also added a link to the song Happy below; enjoy, dance and be happy now!
Love and light!
Comments 14
Great suggestions, Nadjejda! Thanks for sharing them!
Author
Erika, you’re welcome and thanks for the feedback!
great article. When I wake up in the morning I hit the ground running. I will attempt to add one of your suggestions to my daily routine next week. Thanks!!!!
Author
You’re welcome and thanks for sharing Brandi! Go for it and if you don’t mind, I’d love to hear how it goes for you. 🙂
Nice reminder about the importance of getting your day started off right! 🙂
Author
Indeed Hannah, thank you! Love and light 🙂
I just loved your post Nadjeda!
I too find morning rituals indispensable and that is why every morning I set my alarm a few minutes before the chaos of the day sets in, so that I can breathe, read a book, journal for a few minutes and sip my tea in peace.
Namaste.
Author
Great and thanks for sharing your morning ritual as well! Love and light 🙂
Having a regular morning ritual is one of those things that you don’t realize just how much of a difference it makes until you miss a day or two. I don’t care where I am, my morning routine comes with me, regardless of whether I am traveling. I find that when I stick to my morning ritual, those 20 minutes or so I spend doing it are more than made up in my ability to be product and effective through out the day. It is almost like making the decision to flow with the world instead of fighting it. Thank you for sharing this!
Author
Thank you for the feedback and sharing your own experience with morning rituals Cathy! It is true about flowing with the world instead of fighting it, well stated! Love and light 🙂
I don’t have a morning ritual and I should have one. My issue is I looooove sleeping so much I have a hard time getting up in the morning. I wonder if a before bed ritual would be as beneficial as one in the morning. I think I will try it anyways, an evening ritual would be more beneficial and fit my schedule and let me just sleep in the morning 🙂
Author
Hi Krystal,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Go for what works for you, that’s what matters!
Just a fyi: Your am ritual can even be 1-2 minutes. Love and light:)
Dear Nadjejda , what a great post and list of suggestions. I agree with you about starting the morning right. It can make all the difference between a good and bad day. I’m happy to report(?) that I incorporate most of your suggestions in my morning ritual. Sometimes I’ll throw in some Reiki as well. Love what you’re doing to spread the love xo
Author
Thank you for sharing Puja! I’m a fan of Reiki, awesome! Love and light 🙂