When we think of morning routine, we think of breakfast, showering and finding something to wear. What we don't take into account is the first half-hour we spend laying in bed reading emails and checking our Instagram stories and messages.
When waking up in the morning, the last thing you should be doing is reaching for your phone, unless it is to turn off your alarm. Many of us do not use the first 30 minutes of waking up wisely. To ensure we start our day off right, we should begin with some stretches and breathing techniques.
The first thing I like to do when I wake up is to stand up. I keep a glass of water next to my bed that I drink first thing to let help my body wake up and get refreshed. I then open the blinds and crack the window so I can feel the fresh air on my skin. Next, I will spend about 10-15 minutes doing some simple stretches and yoga poses. By doing this, I am waking my body slowly and organically to prepare for the first hour of my day.
If you would like to start your day with a mantra or sort of meditative music, this will also help calmly awaken your senses. I would recommend something soothing and relaxing as music with a higher BPM (beat-per-minute), can trigger the fight or flight response in your nervous system and cause anxiety.
Another thing that can help with waking up in a calm and refreshed way is to light some Palo Santo or White Sage to cleanse the air around you. These natural gifts from mother earth provide a clean and ritualistic regime to many ancient peoples around the world.
