“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
Just like a good home is built on a firm foundation, a great day begins with a good morning routine. The way you start your day determines how you will face all the challenges that lie ahead, and there are many of them. After you leave home, many things won’t be in your control – from the commute to work stress. But the morning is just for you.
The process of morning self-care includes a few steps, from breakfast to a skincare routine. Here, we will lay out all the self-care routines that can help you kickstart your day.
Drink Water
Drinking a glass of water in the morning might wake you up better than a cup of coffee. Thirst can cause fatigue, and the six to eight hours you spend sleeping is a long period to go without drinking liquid. By having a glass of water as soon as you wake up, you will rehydrate your body in no time.
If you are not accustomed to drinking water right in the morning, try leaving a glass of water on your nightstand and drinking it before you have your coffee because caffeine can be dehydrating.
Meditate, Breathe Deeply, or Practice Yoright.
Meditation, deep breathing exercises with Breathwrk, and yoga are something we relate to evenings because we need to de-stress before going to sleep. However, these are also useful activities for the mornings because they can prepare you for the stress that will come during the day. They can also enhance the activity in the area of your brain associated with positive experiences and emotions. You will need just five to ten minutes for one session which can make a huge difference.
Exercise
Have you seen Anna Wintour’s (72) body, but more importantly, her amazing smile? Well, you should know that she has a morning routine of playing tennis. It begins at 5.45 am and lasts for about an hour. Other celebrities also work out in the morning. The reason is that exercise gets your blood flowing, fully awakening you and boosting your energy for the day.
Of course, you have the additional benefits of controlling your weight and being healthier. You can choose the workout that suits you best, from morning jogging to a 15-minute full-body workout.
Treat Your Skin Well
Your skin is physically closest to the elements such as the sun and the wind, and it also soaks up a lot of the stress you are experiencing. That’s why you need to treat it well from the very morning.
First things first, you need to clean your face and be careful not to make some of the most frequent face washing mistakes, such as using the wrong cleanser, exfoliating too often, and washing with hot water. Make sure your shower water is not too hot either (in fact, a cold shower would be most invigorating), and enjoy a ritual of applying a nourishing body lotion or oil afterward. Finally, don’t forget to apply sun protection (even when it is cloudy and cold outside).
Have a Healthy Breakfast
You’ve probably heard a million times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Since you were sleeping and you probably haven’t eaten right before going to bed, you have probably been without food for about 10 hours. So your body will need some energy source. Choose a nutritious morning meal packed with proteins, healthy fats, and some carbs. Some of the best breakfast foods for boosting your energy include oatmeal, Greek yogurt, eggs, chia seeds, and avocado.
Take a Relaxing Shower
Make time for a relaxing shower that will not include running in and out because you are late for work. Morning showers wake you up and rub off the sluggish feeling that many (non-morning) people associate with this time of the day. It also gives you time to think about your plans.
Plan Your Day
A lot of things can go wrong in a day, but the chances of something going wrong are significantly bigger when you don’t plan your activities and goals. Try writing down things you need to do during the day, including grocery shopping and work activities. You can cross things as you are doing them, so you’ll have your small accomplishments during the day.
Do Something Fun
Mornings don’t have to be an obstacle on the road to better parts of the day. Take some time – five, ten, or fifteen minutes to do something you love. Play your favorite album, read a book, do some doodling… anything that can turn the beginning of a day into a happy time for you.
Mornings can be difficult. But when you establish a routine that wakes you up, prepares you for your day, and relaxes you at the same time, it can become really pleasant. With these routines, you might even become a morning person.
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