Ten Easy Ways to Create a Daily Morning Practice
The alarm rings, it is time to get up. A brand-new day is waiting for you. Do you feel enthusiastic about this day? How does your morning look like? How will you describe your morning in one word?
- Hectic
- Chaotic
- Maddening
- Stressful
- Draining
- Breathless
- Frustrating
I am breathless as I write this, almost experiencing those chaotic mornings I use to have. Two things helped me to alter those times. They will help you too.
- You are not alone
- This CAN Change
You need to find another way to begin a new day. A day that starts slowly, silently and serenely makes you balanced and grounded. This is a time when you should explore some anchoring practices. Don’t worry; you don’t need to create an elaborate practice.
Reasons for Creating a Daily Practice
A daily practice connect you with your higher self. It nourishes and makes you feel lighter.
- To feel happy
- Become grounded and centred
- Begin the day in a nourishing atmosphere
- Be more present in your life
- Create a path for a successful day
Some Easy Practices
Simple morning practices require few seconds or minutes.Here is a list of practices you can select.
Get up Early
Get up ten minutes early and go to the balcony or terrace. Take ten deep breaths and check your feelings.
Adopt a Plant
Select a plant to sit with each morning. You might get a gift. I was once rewarded with lovely blooms early in the morning.
Journal
A gratitude journal is a great way to begin your day. Write five things you are grateful for here and now
Sound Therapy
Put on a music CD. Close your eyes and listen to a calming music track or guided meditation.
Affirm
Read ten affirmations. Let the meaning of each affirmation soak in your heart. At the end of the session be thankful for what is.
Do one practice for at least one month to form a pattern that creates a habit. If after a month you don’t feel happy doing the practice, try another. There is no right or wrong practice.
It is easy to add a practice together with a habit you already have. For example, if you have a routine of drawing the curtains of your windows and doors when you get up, open your window and take five deep breaths. Practice in place, right?
Benefits of a morning practice
- It lifts your mood
- It makes you contended
- It gives you an anchor
In a busy household and with maddening schedules, these will be few moments to look forward to.
Ten Tiny Morning Practices
- 10 deep breaths
- Drink warm water laced with Lemon and honey
- Write five lines in your journal
- Spend five minutes with your pet or plants
- Light an aromatic candle and sit still for five minutes
- Look at a photograph/picture that makes you smile. Close your eyes and let the feelings touch your heart.
- Make a note of natural sounds you may hear.
- Observe the trees. Try to see the hues of the same colour. You would be amazed to see many shades of green on one tree.
- Write three things you would do for yourself today.(call a friend, listen to music,read few pages of a book,laugh loudly with your kid)
- Watch the sunrise
These small rituals will transform your mornings. Soon you will feel cheerful when the alarm rings.Any morning practice that relaxes your body and stills your mind is a great way to begin a new day.If you miss your practice someday just relax. Start again the next day, remember it’s a practice where we need to be curious not judgmental.
Do you have a morning practice? Please share your practices and experiences in comments.
Cynthia says
I completely agree, a morning routine really helps tackle the day in a more positive way.
Mine involves making myself my favourite tea in my favourite cup and go sit in my favourite spot. It comes before I do anything else.
nupurt says
Thanks Cynthia for reading this blog. Yes, it’s always good to have a self-care practice in the morning. I also make tea and sit in the balcony amidst my plants.
Chloé of beyond blessed says
Love the idea of lighting a candle while journaling! I am so adding this to my routine! Might as well start now before we add kids into the picture!
http://beyondblessedblog.com/
nupurt says
Thanks Chloé for commenting on my blog. Yes lighting a candle has a calming effect. And it helped immensely when mmy daughter was a toddler.
Jessica says
I really enjoyed reading this. My mornings start pretty abruptly [when my 19 months whimper turns into a scream]. Thanks for reminding me of the importance of grounding myself with a few deep breaths in the morning before I jump to it! It’s worth the cost of a few extra minutes of snoozing.
nupurt says
Many thanks Jessica for reading and commenting on my blog. And thanks for the appreciation. I am glad you found this helpful. Yes deep breathing is bliss!
Nanou says
I love morning rituals and meditation is the first thing I do as soon as I wake up. It does make a huge difference for the rest of the day. I really liked your post and all the ideas you shared 🙂 Thank you.
http://www.theboxofhappiness.com
nupurt says
Many thanks Nanou for reading and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I read many blogposts on your blog yesterday, and loved them. I have bookmarked your website and will be a frequent visitor.
Alana says
I do some exercises while listening to the Weather Channel, listen to a couple of news reports, and edit the blog post written the night before/publish (this, to me, is relaxing). I am past the child raising years, and so don’t usually have to worry about interruptions.
nupurt says
Many thanks Alana for reading this post. It’s nice to read about your morning practice. Yes, you have the time to do it now.
Vinitha says
Some valuable tips there! I have to start with my morning ritual. Now it is all messy as I have to nurse my 4 months old through the night and then start preparing things ready for my 7 year old to school. Miss that meditation and time with journal so badly! Thanks for the reminder, Nupur!
nupurt says
Many thanks Vanitha for your kind words. I am so glad that this helped. I can understand what you are going through. Start small, a tine practice can also be anchoring. Or try to do a night practice. All the best!
Bellybytes says
What a lovely idea. My morning practice consists of having a goooooood long stretch in bed. Then I quickly jump into my clothes and have a brisk walk. Then a good hot cup of coffee while doing sudoku. ( incidentally if I get the Sudoku that day goes well for me so this is like a ‘signal’).
This doesn’t happen every day and all the time but when it does………..my day goes well
nupurt says
Thanks Bellybytes! Loved reading about your morning practice. Brisk walk and coffee sounds great!
I love Sudoku but I do it in the evening.