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The importance of mindful morning routine

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The alarm goes off and you hit snooze 18 times, getting more frustrated with each sound. You finally get up and when your feet hit the floor you start running. You are on default mode or autopilot as you run and do the things that must get done as quickly as possible, to get going. Maybe you stub your toe on the bed post, as you mindlessly rush and hurry. As you grab your coffee and take a sip while you are leaving the house to get in your car, you spill some on your shirt. You let out a verbally explicit word to the universe. You buckle up in the car and realize you left your keys on the counter. Your frustration level elevates as you run back to get them, as this is making you later and more stressed.

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This is an example of a NON-mindful morning routine. You can almost feel the hurried constraint and pressure this kind of morning creates.

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Kelly Spencer – Happy Healthy YOU

(Some excerpts in this column were taken from Kelly Spencer’s book Destiny, Life & Self-Leadership available on Amazon.ca)

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A nourishing morning routine that is seeped in mindfulness, clarity, vision and gratitude can set the tone for your entire day. Every morning is an opportunity to start fresh, to become fully awake to our lives in the present moment and let go the stresses of the day before. When we spend our time mindfully rather than on default auto-pilot we have decided to live our lives most fully and have chosen freedom instead of the chains of the past or the holds of the future.

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One of the most impactful mindfulness practices I have is my morning routine. Developing a morning routine can offer us beautiful and powerful tools that start and create a day that is grounded and appreciative.

I am not a morning person at all. I don’t like getting up when it’s dark. I function best on eight hours sleep. Years ago, when I was a Registered Nurse, I often woke up in the dark, ran around with my eyes barely open and then ran for a 12-hours shift. Then I would get home 13 hours later, exhausted and wide awake all in one, trying to process the day.

Now, I like my mornings slow. As soon as I wake up, I like to notice how I feel and first do some gentle stretching and taking some slow deep breaths. I like to immediately think of something that feels good to me, to set the tone. I wash my face and grab a coffee and sit with my dogs for a few minutes of meditation, clarity and focus, keeping the flow of gratitude. Then, when I feel grounded and centred, I start my workday on my lap top before going into work.

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The morning is a special time for us to be with ourselves, reflect within ourselves, and simply be present to the peaceful silence of the morning.

To develop a mindful morning routine, you don’t have to wake up super early or do anything specific, you could simply decide to wake up 20 minutes earlier and what you do in those 20 minutes would be your mindful morning routine. Whatever you do, do it with mindfulness, fully present in the stillness of the morning and find solace in the silence. Your routine is really anything that makes you feel healthier and happier.

Here are a few keys points to try but of course, alter and manage to best suit your individual life and what makes you expand.

1. Sleep. I know there are many recommendations for how much sleep one needs every night but each of us is individual. I like eight hours. Know what you need so that you wake up feeling rested.

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2. Prepare timeline. A morning routine for you, to set the proper tone for you and your day, may only take an extra 10 minutes of your time or up to an hour. Play around with both, shorter and extended times for mindfulness and notice which one feels best for you in this moment. Note, that might change in a month of practicing this.

3. Get grounded. Before doing anything, land in the moment. What does that mean? Check in with yourself. Take inventory of self. How does your body feel? Are there any areas that feel a little crunchy and you want to stretch? Is there anything on your mind? Perhaps you are thinking about events that you will be doing that day, so give them the space of acknowledgment.

4. Find a few minutes of stillness to connect to your life force. Our breath is so important. Take a few minutes to just take some slow deep breaths. The further stillness of body and connection to our breath can offer clarity of thought. You can sit comfortable on your favorite chair, on a meditation cushion or even stand as you stare outside at a tree. Connecting with our breath, through slow mindful inhales and exhales brings connection to the body and mind together, assisting us to feel more aligned.

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5. Visualize your day. Once you feel grounded, and have connected to your breath for a few minutes, begin to visualize your optimal day. Smooth driving, productive conversations, effective meetings, pleasurable conversations… whatever you would like to envision.

6. Tap into the feelings of the about visualization. How would it feel to be so productive, effective and smooth sailing? Tapping into the feelings of joy, appreciation, empowerment, gratitude and appreciation and let them expand, as you breathe in fully and exhale completely, several times.

7. Then add in any other morning ritual that would feel good for you. Perhaps yoga, a walk around the block, journaling, coloring, or some other inspiring ritual. I like to sip my coffee while cuddling with my dogs. I also like to watch an inspirational video or listen to a podcast that encourages or emboldens my energy.

Taking time each morning to notice all there is to notice and allow yourself the opportunity to tap into your vital and exuberant force of life, can create a day that is calmer, more productive and even more successful. Every morning is a new opportunity to develop self-leadership and create the day we desire.

(If you would like to see an article on a specific topic, please email kelly@indigolounge.ca)

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