Start Your Day Happy With These Morning Routine Habits
How do you start your day? Do you jolt awake at the sound of your alarm beeping? Or do you mindfully ease into the A.M, ready to start the day with intention?
Never underestimate the power of a good morning routine! A morning routine can help you to start your day off on the right foot - boosting happiness, increasing productivity, reducing stress levels and getting you grounded and settled for the day ahead.
A positive morning routine also allows you to start your day with intention, rather than letting the day run away from you. You control the day; the day doesn’t control you. This positive feeling of being on top of things sets the entire ball in motion for the rest of your day.
As with many things in life, small changes lead to big results. It’s the compounding effect. There is a perfect morning routine that will make YOU happy and productive all day – you just have to find yours.
There are a number of things you can implement into your morning each day to improve your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Try these some simple morning routine habits to help you start your day happy.
Affirmations are a direct line between you and your subconscious. They are a powerful way to bring more positivity, awareness, and alignment into your day. Try repeating the below affirmations, or create your own, out loud to yourself 3-4 times each morning.
- I am capable of anything I focus on intentionally
- I am loved, loving, and loveable
- I am supported
- I am safe
- I am strong in mind, body, and spirit
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I inhale confidence and exhale fear
Starting the day with a relaxing ritual like morning journaling can have a huge impact on your mood and mindset, helping you start your day with a clear head, feel more motivated and prepared to take on the day's challenges. Below are some prompts to launch your morning journaling routine.
- How am I feeling this morning?
- What am I most excited for today?
- What are three things I can do to bring more joy into my day?
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How do I want to feel at the end of the day?
- Express gratitude
Practicing gratitude reminds you of the beauty in the little things in life that you currently have. It helps you look at situations in a more positive light, build stronger relationships with people you love, and helps improve your mental and physical well-being. Take a moment first thing in the morning, to think about how grateful you are for your life, your people, and the person that you are. It’s a beautiful way to start your day.⠀
Whether you take a brisk walk outside in nature, work up a sweat in the gym, or stretch your body at home, moving your body first thing in the morning has a fantastic effect on your physical and mental wellbeing. Not only will you have a boost of energy, but you’ll feel ready to tackle any problem that comes your way throughout the day.
- Hug yourself
Always start the day by showing yourself the love you deserve. The simple act of giving yourself a hug can be immediately beneficial in relieving feelings of anxiety and soothing your nervous system, and your soul. It can help you feel safe, secure, loved, empowered, and ready to take on whatever the day throws your way.
- Breathwork
Including a regular breathing practice as part of your morning routine is one of the easiest and effective tools to centre yourself, relieve any apprehension for the day ahead, and give you the energy to face what’s ahead. I want breathwork to be as easy as brushing your teeth - something you can implement each morning with ease. You’ll be amazed at how doing just 5 minutes of morning breathing exercises first thing can transform your energy levels and make you feel so much more awake and ready for your day.
Personally, I implement a breath as soon as I wake up. I will either sit in bed, or in my studio, and bring myself straight into the breath. Once that breath is underway and I feel connected in my body and awareness, I will always come back to myself and ask, ‘How am I feeling today? What can I do to make today great?’. By acknowledging myself breathing and asking myself those questions, I am starting the day with a good habit-forming routine and starting the day as I mean to go on - intentionally.
The morning breathwork practice below will allow you to find clarity, calmness, and inner peace before you take on your big tasks for the day. Your morning - and day - will flow more, and feel more in alignment. It’s about breaking bad habits, such as scrolling your phone as soon as you wake up, and bringing in the new to revitalise your body and mind, and ensure the best possible start to the day.
Try the below breath first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up.
Before starting this breathing pattern, adopt a comfortable lying position, perhaps in bed under the blanket, and place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Now close your eyes and let’s begin with the following breathing pattern:
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Start with a big breath, filling the lungs, and then a big exhale. Repeat 5-6 times.
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Introduce a big circular breath. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose through to the belly, and release with a big exhale through the mouth. Feel the breath circle through your body as you inhale and then exhale.
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Continue with this circular rhythm for up to 5 minutes, or as long as you need.
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When you are ready to bring your awareness back to your surroundings, fill your lungs with a deep breath in, and sigh out. Repeat three times.
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Rub your palms together and send that warm, kind energy from the palm of your hands into your heart. Embrace the love and warmth in this moment.
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As you open your eyes, take a long full-body stretch.
Use the breath to cleanse you. Imagine the sun above you, the light is shining down on your body, sharing its energy for you and your day.
If you’d like to diver deeper into breathwork and establishing a healthy morning routine, as well as a evening routine to end your day positively, join me in my 10 Day Show Up & Shine program where I will help you to feel calmer, more confident, energised, and lighter than ever before, all by using the power of your breath.
What does your morning routine look like?