How we start our day can set the tone for how you feel for the rest of it. A well-crafted morning routine can be the difference between feeling scattered and reactive versus feeling grounded and purposeful. It’s about creating space for yourself before you start answering to the demands of daily life.
This blog is an invitation to reflect on how your mornings tend to go, and how you feel throughout the day. Is there a small tweak you can make that might serve you better?
Please start small! My morning routines are a combination of years of trial and error over a number of years, giving up, going back and changing; ultimately exploring what gives you joy and what you want to keep going back to.
The impact of a grounding morning routine
My day begins with 20 to 30 minutes on my yoga mat. Without this practice, I’m immediately swept up in the whirlwind of 'need to do, get done, go go go.'
My Yoga practice is rarely fast or challenging. It might 'just' be a breathing practice, or mediation, perhaps a few soft stretches or somatic movement. No matter how it looks, it is always a moment to check in with myself, before checking in with the rest of the world.
This time helps me tune into my energy, emotions, and capacity for the day. It’s like having a pep talk with my body and mind; a moving meditation. Depending on how I feel, I might ask myself. Moving while thinking helps me to allow thoughts to flow in and out without attaching to them. These are also great journalling prompts if you prefer a 'stiller' morning.
What do I need to get through today?
What can I do to enjoy today?
What can I do today that will make tomorrow easier?
It doesn't have to be as long as 20 minutes, even 3 minutes of breathing can make a difference. Maybe the small adjustments to how we start our day are the ones that have the biggest impact on our energy, productivity, and stress levels.
Why I'm being more disciplined with myself about mindful mornings!
When I create time for myself in the morning, I notice the following things throughout the day:
More focused
Able to prioritise
Better perspective on life/tasks/people
Energy levels feel more stable
My moods fluctuate a lot less 😅
What do your mornings look like? It's ok to admit if you're tearing around, cramming in a banana and a coffee-to-go on the train! There is always value in looking at your routine and asking yourself if it's working for you.
For me, time on my yoga mat, breakfast (without digital distractions!), and a cup of tea while reading a chapter of a good book set me up for a happier, more productive day. 🌻
The power of disconnecting
Another game-changer? Having breakfast and a cup of tea before checking my phone, emails, or work messages. The moment I reach for my phone, my priorities shift to someone else's needs. While those tasks are important, so am I. If I don’t take care of myself first, how can I show up fully for everything else?
By taking time to move, breathe, and nourish myself before engaging with the outside world, I make better decisions throughout the day. I avoid falling into the trap of 'everything needs to be done yesterday' mode, which only leads to burnout.
How to create your own morning rituals
Some research suggests it can take around 60 days to form a habit. But if it's something that you can easily fit into your day, enjoy doing, and feel instant benefits from, I think these healthy habits form a lot quicker than that. They become a part of you, your recipe for a good day. Your morning routine doesn’t have to look exactly (or anything) like mine. Whether it’s yoga, journaling, a quiet cup of tea, or a walk outside, the key is finding what helps you feel centred before the rush of the day begins. If you're not sure where to start, think about how you'd love to spend your morning in an ideal world. What does your ideal day look like? How can you bring even a tiny part of that into your every day?
Want to explore rituals more?
We are so excited to return for our 5th annual Winter Wellness Retreat. While we'll still embrace deep rest, this year our focus will be on creating beautiful practices that you can take home to support your wellbeing long after the retreat ends; your daily rituals.
Imagine waking up to gentle Yoga, guided meditations, nourishing food made for, and a chance to truly check in with yourself before anything else. Knowing the day will unwind in a gentle flow of country walks, naps, self massage workshops, creativity sessions, tea and cake, chats, rest, mindful movement, dinner you didn't have to cook, restful evenings and early nights full of nourishing sleep.
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