Peace Lovey!
While there are obviously more than 12 ideas for holistic morning routines the ones that we’ll discuss in this letter can easily be considered the most natural and introspective. They will encourage you to dive deeper into you and you alone.
Per the usual I am wanting us to stay internally focused. I find that you build a stronger foundation if you do. This will benefit you in ways immeasurable. So let’s dive in!
Since COVID many have expressed how empty life feels. Even more have complained of loneliness and feelings of isolation. Meanwhile, there are reports of there being an increase in depression and anxiety.
These feelings are most likely attributable to a failure to connect to the abundance of life happening around you. If your awareness is constantly focused on what’s missing and lacking you’ll never see what lies before you.
“Each minute we spend worrying about the future and regretting the past is a minute we miss in our appointment with life – a missed opportunity to engage life and to see that each moment gives us the chance to change for the better, to experience peace and joy.“
~ Nhat Hanh
I love this quote because it’s a reminder that each day is enriched with a new serving of goodness. You only need to redirect your focus towards it. The best way to do that is via holistic morning routines.
So with that said the 12 holistic morning routines that we’ll explore are intended to open your mind to a more grounded manner of everyday living. They are simple, yet practical things that can easily be incorporated into your every day routine with no added pressure and take up only a minimal amount of time.
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. Spend some time on self care.
Any holistic routine has to begin with you, more specifically the care of you. You are the center of your universe. You are where it all begins. For this reason any act of caring for self upon waking is the making of a very solid foundation. You are no good to anyone else if you have neglected yourself. So it is imperative that you make you and your care a priority.
Each day spend some time caring for you. It can be as minimal or as extravagant as you need it to be. This is a time to focus on what you need.
One thing that I do each day in caring for myself is rinsing and moisturizing my hair. I see my hair as my crown and for me the care of it is of the utmost importance to me. Caring for my hair in this way maintains my conscious awareness of the need to always nourish my mind. It reminds me to always maintain an elevated conscious awareness of who I am.
2. Savour the moment.
The best way to start the day is to savor the initial moment of waking. I mean really savor it. Enjoy the deliciousness of it. The moment you open your eyes enjoy the beauty of being alive in that moment versus the alternative. Life is meant to be lived and every day that you awaken you are given yet another opportunity to do so. With that said savouring the moment is a most enriching holistic morning routine.
3. Complete a 3-minute mindfulness practice.
Now this one is kind of wide open. It can be any mindfulness practice of your choosing. Decide on something that inspires your. For me it’s silently saying an affirmation of my choosing for 90 seconds. This affirmation will be one that is relevant to how I’m feeling and/or what’s going on in my life at the time.
However, whatever mindfulness practice that you choose to incorporate should be something that you connect with. It should be something that puts you in a positive state of mind. It should also be something that can be done with ease.
4. Diffuse essential oils.
This is one of my absolute favs. While there are hundreds of essential oils to choose from the aroma of frankincense essential oil will always be my first choice hands down. Frankincense instantly puts me in a peaceful, self-reflective state. For that reason, it stays in my diffuser. Essential oil diffusers have a well-known reputation for setting a peaceful tone in a room, which in turn sets the tone for your mood. So essential oil diffusers can be a great addition to your holistic morning routine.
5. Cuddle your pet.
I know that not everyone has a pet. However, if you do you know that pets are always operating on a high frequency. Pet’s always have a pleasant disposition. Pet’s are always there and willing to share their loving vibration. Cuddling your pet will remind you to do the same throughout the day.
The positive impact of pets on our mental-enotional well-being is well documented. The animal-human bond has been shown to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state. Cuddling your pet can reduce loneliness and isolation as well as anxiety. This is all because of the calming effect of this simple practice.
6. Open a window.
This one may seem obvious, but just in case it slipped your mind never dismiss the healing power of fresh morning air. The benefits of fresh air are also backed by science. Fresh has been shown to positively enhance moods, improve concentration, and a 2005 study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh found that natural light had a positive influence on patients in post-surgical recovery. Patients experienced less pain, needed less medication and had improved outcomes overall.
Suffice it to say that a breath of fresh air can literally set the tone for your entire day.
Yet, why not take this practice a step further and more than just doing this activity, why not become it. Actually, set an intention to be a breath of fresh air. It might just work.
7. Acknowledge how you feel.
Now I can acknowledge that noone wakes up everyday bubbling over with positivity. It’s okay to ackowledge how you feel about some aspects of life that may be challenging. Yet the beauty of making this a part of your holistic morning routine is that it reminds you to actively resolve, heal and grow.
Acknowledging how you feel is the first step toward getting to a better feeling place. So immediately upon waking ask yourself how you feel. Assess what the significance of that is. Ascertain the means of actualizing the most heightened state of mind-heart-soul feeling possible. Internalize that mind-heart-soul feeling. Then in taking these steps you acknowledge how you feel.
8. Set an intention for the day.
Whether you do this consciously or unconsciously it will be done. So why not consciously set an intention for the day? This will give you more control over your day, your life, your existence.
While this may be among the most simplistic of the routines suggested it may just be the most powerful. Setting intentions help you take action, reach goals in a more mindful way and ultimately help you to optimize your life.
9. Water your plants.
Plants are a most pure form of life force energy. Despite their silence, the lessons that plants share with us speak volumes. Watering your plants remind you to nourish your spirit. It reminds you of the areas in which you need to grow. It reminds you to shed the dead ends and to direct your resources only to those areas of your life that are serving you. Plants remind you to focus on cultivating a strong foundation. This makes watering your plants a most rewarding holistic morning routine.
10. Ask yourself: what’s important today? Plan your day around that focus.
Before your mind gets jaded by thoughts of all the negative aspects of life, immediately upon waking ask yourself what’s important today. Stay in the moment and really focus only on that one thing. Then plan your day around that. Imagine how much progress you’ll make toward the manifestation of your goals if you do this daily. This leads us to the next suggestion.
11. Visualize your dream life. ask yourself what step you can take today to get one step closer.
An active part of focusing on what’s important is visualizing. However, the objective here is the get into the habit of visualizing your dream life and zooming in on what step you can take today to get a step closer.
Doing this upon waking packs a mean punch because you’re doing it before the negative Nancy daydreams worm their way into your mind. Also, because you’re also identifying what step can be taken today to get a step closer you won’t have the time to entertain contrary thoughts. So get to visualizing that dream life!
12. Listen to calming music.
Next, seal the deal with some calming music. Calming music puts you in a positive meditative mindset that encourages you to actualize all this goodness. It lets it all soak in and marinate.
The American Psychological Association published findings in their musicology journal that music, especially relaxing music, has great cognitive, emotional and neurobiological benefits. That seems to be more reason than enough to give this one a try.
So what is your favorite holistic morning routine? How has it improved your overall well-being?
Sunflower smooches!
