One of the most profound tips I’ve ever heard is: to set an intentional morning ritual.
Annie Dillard once famously said ‘how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.’ This might seem simple, but try stay with it for a moment. Given that each of our lives are solely made up of what we fill them with… are we choosing wisely in each moment? Your early morning thoughts, actions and pace will essentially set the tone for your entire day.
Finding presence with yourself before you do anything else can be like setting your internal compass. Regardless of what may arise – you’ll naturally feel more equipped to navigate life’s unfolding with clarity and ease. Here are some tips.
‘When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive. To breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.’ – Marcus Aurelius
Waking
Given the modern world we live in, with all of its stimuli, noise and stress – having a natural and peaceful wake up can help set a grounded pace to the entire day. The opposite can cause grogginess as we wake up from shock, instead of the natural rhythms of our sleep cycles.
This means step one to your morning ritual could involve becoming your own alarm clock.
If you’re not doing so already – it’ll likely take some time and practice to wake up without an alarm, but it’s worth it! Doing so will help set your body’s natural circadian rhythm, bringing extra vitality to your day.
Consistency will be key for setting your internal alarm to autopilot. This means waking up at the same hour every day (including weekends). To help, you could try apps like Sleep Cycle, which use sound analysis to track your sleep pattern, or even a light alarm.
Gratitude
Yes, we tend to mention gratitude a lot… but only because it’s extremely important!
Gratitude opens a pathway to contentment, presence and happiness. By cultivating a space in which you’re noticing (and finding gratitude for) the blessing of your life, you’ll make room for more. Why not begin your day with a simple mental list of five things you’re grateful for? You could still do this in bed with your eyes closed!
In my own morning ritual I also add in a 5-point ‘excitement’ list – to add a little spark of momentum to the day. What are the things that you’re most excited and looking forward for? This could help with our next tip.
Intentions
Similar to the above point, but a little different. I call this the ‘agenda’ segment of my morning ritual. Rather than having a cloudy to-do list, what are your main intentions for the day? What would give you a feeling of progress and contentment – marking a mini-completion of your day?
Remember, this could include simply relaxing, or being more aware of your breath.
Self-care
If you do have the time, giving yourself (and your body) a little love each morning can certainly evoke positive feelings, and confidence throughout your entire day. This could be anything from a 20-step skin routine, to simply giving your hair a good brush. Regardless, doing so with the intention of nurturing yourself will make all the difference.
We’ll always recommend a quick yoga flow and stretching, to get the body and prana flowing.
Lastly, if you’re going to get the most out of your day, you’ll also need to eat a nutritious breakfast. Starting with drinking some warm Lemon water, can improve digestion and provide a plethora of vitamins and nutrients.
Morning is one of the best times for superfoods and healthy recipes.
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For morning ritual inspiration you can always pop in for a visit. From nourishing and sleepy yoga to delicious fruity breakfasts, we’ve got you covered!
Nisha is a freelance writer and Vedic astrologer, based in the magical Byron Hinterlands. As well as running her candle business, her life and loves involve: yoga, gardening and all things esoteric. You’ll find her out in nature, or curled up at home with a good book. Happy Buddha is one of her most treasured places on earth (and indeed where she met her fiancé!).
