Lately, it seems like more people are talking about their morning rituals. And for good reason. Morning rituals can help you win the day. No matter what might’ve happened yesterday, starting a new day with a familiar routine acts as a reset button.
When you start your day with a tried and true intentional routine, you’ll experience more productivity, mindfulness and positivity throughout your day. Oh, and as a bonus, you’ll experience less stress.
So what does an effective morning routine look like? It turns out this is one of those things where there isn’t a single secret formula. You decide. With that being said, there are a few recommendations that tend to yield the best results.
Here are four morning rituals that are guaranteed to raise the bar on your whole day:
1. Make Your Bed
The thing about morning routines is to keep your tasks small and simple. Something as simple as making your bed starts your day with a win. That little sense of accomplishment that comes from getting something done immediately sets the tone for the rest of the day.
2. Stay Unplugged
When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you reach for? The snooze button? A glass of water? Your phone? It’s incredibly tempting to wake up and start scrolling through your notifications and social media feeds. Especially if your phone doubles as an alarm clock. Make staying unplugged part of your morning routine. Give your mind a chance to settle into a new day before bombarding it with a ton of content. Decide how long you’ll wait until you pick up your phone.
3. Journal
Rather than scrolling through your phone and consuming content, try creating some content of your own through journaling. There are no rules when it comes to journaling. And you’re not trying to write the next great American novel. Write down the things that are on your mind; give your thoughts an outlet. If you have no idea what to write, start by writing whatever comes to your mind. Even if you literally start by writing, “I have no idea what to write….”. You can also journal by listing three things that you’re grateful for. Or what you plan to accomplish that day.
4. Meditate
Starting your day with a morning meditation encourages you to be more mindful for the rest of the day. Mindfulness keeps you focused on the present and keeps your mind clear. There are lots of apps that offer guided meditations, or you can sit quietly for five to ten minutes and focus on your breathing.
As you build a morning ritual of your own, the goal is to create a consistent daily routine. Keep your unique routine simple. Include three to five things that you do every day, in the same order, for a month. If you forget or miss a day, get right back on track the next day.
Are you ready to raise the bar on your health and fitness? Schedule your first free class at Rhapsody CrossFit in Charleston today.
