Every day, morning comes. It arrives with the light of the rising sun inching up to our windows and shining a beautiful setting in our bedrooms. Granted, the night is just as precious. But the mornings really set the mood of the day and are sacred. I know that during the pandemic, we aren’t leaving the house. We are stuck inside and therefore it’s really important that we take care of ourselves and take on each day with the best version of ourselves. Our morning routines are crucial. Now I am not talking about what time you wake up, that you should wake up early or later. Agreeably, everyone has their own time on the wake-up factor. That doesn’t apply here, what matters is the first thing you do when you wake up.
My foremost piece of advice is to wake up an hour earlier than when you need to start your schedule, whether it’s 7 a.m. or 11 a.m. The first hour of the day should be yours. This way you can give yourself a head start to the day and time to breathe and take it all in. You should take this time to sip on your favorite drink, meditate, or do any hobbies you like to start off your day with.
The one thing that you should never do is to look at your phone during the first 30 minutes to 45 minutes after you wake up. It’s tempting. Every time I wake up, I tend to think about my phone from time to time. But that’s not a good way to start off your day. Phones can be distracting, overwhelming, noisy, and can leave your brain scattered for the day ahead. I recommend starting off with your favorite cuppa and just meditating for the first 5-10 minutes. Those inhale and exhale breathing exercises really help to clear your mind and ground you. You may think “why do I need meditation in the morning, I just woke up” but it starts your day with some positive and relaxed energy.
Indulging in your favorite thing to do is also a must. That way you can always look forward to your mornings. Personally, I love reading a few chapters from a book while I drink my matcha latte. Whether it’s cooking your favorite breakfast, knitting, chilling, exercising, or reading, it helps to satisfy your internal self and prevent you from feeling too suffocated in your work or becoming worried throughout the day. Last but not least, get ready for the day in clothes that make you feel good, cozy, and confident.
When I first started trying to figure out my morning routine and what worked best for me, these tips helped me be content in my day to day life and gave me a serene sense of mind. I think that is what we really need during these hard times with classes on Zoom, being remote, and social distancing. So, give yourself the love you deserve and cheers to our relaxing mornings!
(Also, don’t forget to vote!)