Something most of us complain about is not having enough time in the day to do what matters most. Most mornings you wake up hitting the ground running! You gulp down your cup of coffee, take a quick shower, and bundle the kids into the car to get them to school before heading to the office. And, by the time you really start your day, you feel THAT exhausted feeling as if you’ve run a total marathon.
But, you shouldn’t be starting your day frazzled. When you do, the rest of the day turns into a jumble of uncompleted tasks as you rush from one job to another. You feel as if you’re on the hamster wheel, going round and round at a frantic pace. At the end of the day, when you eventually flop into bed you may, for a moment, wonder what you actually achieved that day. And, you bemoan the lack of time to do anything constructively.
If this scenario sounds like your daily life then you need to tap into some simple BUT powerful morning rituals to kickstart your day. Read on to find out what I am talking about so you can empower yourself to start and run your daily life in a positive and beneficial way.
What Are Morning Rituals?
Morning rituals are daily practices you perform before you actually start your day. They transform the way you live your daily life, allowing you to overcome small and big challenges in a more useful way.
These rituals help you to consciously and subconsciously manage your thought processes so you’re able to be calmer and more balanced when dealing with everyday situations.
When you install morning rituals into your life, you’re performing a series of actions that’ll serve you for the rest of the day. They’re designed to enhance and develop your self-awareness while giving you the energy and drive to see each day through with gratitude and success.
The power of these morning rituals not only makes your days run a whole lot smoother. But, you’ll suddenly discover that you have a whole lot more time to do the things that really matter to you.
What to Do the Night Before
In order to make your morning rituals powerful, you need to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. This means getting to sleep at a decent hour so you can wake up early enough to perform your morning rituals.
I also find it helps to do these simple tasks before going to bed:
Tidying up the scatter cushions on our couches in the lounge so the room looks neat
Washing up the dirty dishes after dinner and giving the kitchen a quick wipe down
Taking a warm bath
Enjoying a cup of tea with a spoon a hydrolyzed collagen
This little evening routine winds me down for the night and gives me a sense of calm when I wake up in the morning. I get easily rattled when my home environment is messy so by ensuring it’s tidied every evening, I know I can start my day feeling calmer.
9 Simple Morning Rituals to Kickstart Your Day
Some people call these morning rituals “magical” while others tell you they’re a “miracle.” Some say they’re challenging but so worthwhile once you get over the initial grumps of getting up early.
But, anyone who practices morning rituals will agree that it’s one of the best habits they’ve installed into their daily life when they start seeing the benefits from Day One.
1. Get Up Before the Family
The trick to turning your morning rituals into a miracle is getting up before anyone else in the house. This includes your baby who is cooing for mom’s attention by 6 am! The same principle applies if you’re alone in your home. Getting up at least one hour before you start your day is essential if you want to get the most out of your rituals without any disturbances or rush.
By getting up earlier and giving yourself at least one hour to perform morning rituals, you can pay full attention to whatever ritual you’ve chosen to start your day with. This way you’ll get all the benefits without feeling rushed or stressed.
2. Drink Hot Water With Lemon
Before diving into your cup of coffee, take a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon. This helps to eliminate toxins from your body while giving you a good dose of Vitamin C. Hot water and lemon also help to decrease inflammation in the body, relieving joint pains. It also gives you five minutes to fully wake up before starting your morning rituals.
Starting your day caffeine-free also means you can eliminate the early morning jitters which often lead to low levels of anxiety. Instead, hot water and lemon soothe your body while preventing any blood sugar drops.
3. Get Physical
You have a few options to pick from here. I like to go for a 45-minutes walk as the sun is rising. This is a wonderful way to spend time clearing my mind and preparing for the day ahead. I also take in the fresh air, revel in the sounds of birds singing, and enjoy the peace that comes with every sunrise. My energy levels rise with the prospect of a new day.
Any physical activity will improve your serotonin levels which increases your positive moods. By using movement in your morning ritual, you’re strengthening your body while improving your mind's thoughts.
4. Perform Yoga Poses
Yoga is a good way to start stretching your body and getting yourself tuned into the day ahead. Performing a yoga sun salutation routine connects you with your mind, body, and soul while also strengthening your core muscles. The postures align your whole body and you can do this routine in five minutes or in one hour.
By moving your body in a gentle but conscious manner, you’re bringing alignment to your whole being. This allows you to go into the day feeling stronger, balanced, and in control.
5. Meditate
I like to do a five-minute meditation at the end of my morning practice just before I start work. I sit on a comfortable armchair and close my eyes. I bring my attention to my breath and simply sit for five minutes allowing whatever thoughts to come into my mind. Other people like to spend longer on their morning meditations and you may enjoy doing a guided meditation to start your day.
Meditation helps you get in touch with your inner self and improves mindfulness to stay grounded. The practice is known to clear the mind, bringing clarity while rejuvenating you to start the day with new energy.
Get Esther Hicks, "Getting into the Vortex: Guided Meditations Audio Download and User Guide" and let Abraham take you on a meditative journey.
6. Write in Your Journal
Spending 15 minutes writing in your journal every morning is a good way to capture your thoughts, reaffirm your goals and visions, and write down any dreams you had the night before. Reflective journaling is another empowering tool for increasing your self-awareness as you go inwards and do inner work.
You can also use your journal to express your gratitude, write down your successes, or find solutions to problems bothering you.
Discover what Julia Cameron's' "Morning Pages" can do for you in her book, and make them part of your morning ritual.
7. Communicate With Spirit
Communicating with Spirit first thing in the morning is another powerful way of kickstarting your day. This can be done in the form of prayers or through meditation. I know some people have a special devotional corner in their home where they go and sit as they pray or communicate with a Higher Being.
By communicating with Spirit, you’re giving yourself a headstart to feeling calmer and in harmony with all that is around you.
8. Make Your Bed
Making your bed every morning before heading out of the house or starting your day’s work is one of the most powerful morning rituals you can perform. Not only does a clean room make you feel less stressed about the day ahead. But, it also gives you a sense of achievement having completed a simple task before the day even begins.
By making your bed every morning, you’re also setting the intention of creating good habits that serve you, resulting in a more productive day.
9. Ask These Questions
While you’re brushing your teeth, having your morning shower, or sipping on your hot water and lemon, ask yourself these five powerful questions:
What am I grateful for today?
What am I happy about for today?
Who do I love?
Who loves me?
What can I do to make today fabulous?
These powerful questions put your mind into a positive frame as you come up with answers that motivate you to have a good day.
Final Thoughts
These nine simple morning rituals take very little effort and yet, they result in you having a better day. Every day you’ll end up feeling more fulfilled and content knowing you’ve achieved what matters the most to you. Your state of mind will be more balanced and you’ll have a greater overall sense of well-being.
This post was originally published on October 29th, 2021, and updated on November 23rd, 2022.