My favorite time of day is early morning. 5 AM is the perfect time to wake up, brew some coffee, light some incense, sit outside, and listen to the birds. No one is awake and no one expects or asks anything of me. I sometimes text with my brother, another early bird, and we chat and have coffee together. We talk about the weather, our cats, politics, and when he will be in town next to help our mom out around her house.
I like to check my garden and see how my vegetables are doing, and then I check social media (something I am doing less and less). Next, I settle in and read my growing list of favorite blogs. Most recently, I’ve added journaling to my morning routine as a creative and emotional outlet. Some of this may end up on my blog, while the rest will just serve to help my mental wellbeing. Both are equally productive and important.
A morning routine can set the tone for your day. I like it to be calm and slow. I want to enjoy hot coffee slowly. I follow the “slow living” blogs and a slow and relaxed morning routine is key to setting yourself up for a peaceful day, even when you have to-do list a billion items long. I don’t get a lot of time to myself, so this is critical to my wellbeing.
What can we do in the morning to create a morning routine that sets us up with a healthier mindset and attitude for the rest of the day? Here are some of the things I do. Mind you, I do not do all of these things every day, but instead pick and choose what feels right and what works best for me on a particular morning.
- Sit outside and listen to nature. Watch nature. Bring your binoculars! When we sit and listen to birdsongs and watch all the animals (squirrels, chipmunks, or if you are lucky enough, deer!) going about their morning, you become present in the moment. You aren’t focused on your phone, social media, your worries, or your list of tasks for the day. Being present and mindful of the moment is something we strive for in meditation and it doesn’t always come easy, but it does help us be calmer and more at peace.
- Go for a walk. Take your dog, if you have one. It’s good exercise and it can be fun watching all the people going about their morning. I don’t pretend to understand all the science stuff, but exercise releases the happy chemicals in your brain and that can only help you start your day right.
- Meditate. This is something I want to start very soon – outside on my porch. Put some zen music on (I use my airpods) and relax! Spotify has some great zen music playlists.
- Read. Read whatever it is you enjoy. I read blogs about simple living, gardening, and other mellow stuff like that. I also read novels on my iPad, most of which I borrow from my library for free. Just stay away from anything that causes you stress and anxiety (news, politics, etc.).
- Work in the garden. I’m not necessarily talking about hardcore gardening, but more like pulling a couple weeds, watering plants, and harvesting ripe veggies. It’s more like puttering and checking on how everyone is doing. Enjoying the work I’ve put in (or cursing the things that aren’t growing well, though that’s not very zen).
- Write. This is probably my favorite thing to do in the morning. When I am finished writing in my journal, I feel very relaxed and at peace. It’s very similar to the feeling I have after I do yoga. It’s more than a mental peace that I feel because it manifests itself physically. I can’t really explain it, but it is the thing I find works best for me. If writing isn’t your thing, find something creative that you enjoy – drawing, painting, etc.
- Do absolutely nothing. Nothing is okay, too, if that’s what helps you get going on the right track for the day. I’ve done this more than a few times in the morning.
Do what you enjoy and not what you think is expected of a morning routine. The purpose is to get your day started on the right track to make you a calmer and more peaceful person all day. You’re going to have people and things pulling at you from all directions all day long, so make your morning routine a time for yourself. Let it be something that serves to keep you sane and mellow for the rest of the day…or as long as you can.