Inspiration for your Morning Ritual

Throwing off the bed sheets, scrambling out of bed, and frantically rushing to get everyone ready in the morning is not my idea of a good start. In fact, it’s pretty much the last way I’d want to begin the day. I don’t do well if I’m startled out of bed first thing in the morning, and I’m pretty sure no one really does. That’s why it’s essential for me to wake up before the kids, so I can practice my morning rituals. There’s plenty of evidence supporting the fact that morning rituals empower us for success throughout the day, and I am a firm believer in the healing power of daily wellness practices. Sticking with a routine helps support my physical health and my mental sanity, as well as fosters a spirit of wellness. And it makes me a better wife and mom.

If you’d like to begin your own morning ritual or maybe add to what you’re already doing, here are 15 of my favorite ideas to support wellness and self care:

Get outside. Spend some time in nature and simply enjoy the surroundings. Notice what your senses experience. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? What do you smell? Not only does this encourage Vitamin D production, it is a wonderful way to support your natural circadian rhythms, too. Exposure to natural morning light is one of the best ways to nourish optimal sleep patterns.
Be mindful. Practice some simply breathing exercises or use an app like Headspace or Calm for mindfulness prompts.
Move. Start the day with a simple stretching routine or a short movement practice to invigorate your body. This is another great way to help support natural circadian rhythms too. Because exercise encourages release of cortisol in the morning, it sets up our bodies to have a normal cortisol cycle that falls as the day progresses.
Drink water. Sip on a delicious detoxing drink by squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water. Alternatively, down a couple cups of water first thing in the morning to re-hydrate your body. I always aim for 16 ounces right after I brush my teeth.
Fill your diffuser. Diffusing essential oils can make such a difference in the ambience of your home without adding chemicals into the environment. In the morning, blends that are invigorating and uplifting can be a perfect choice. One of my favorite combinations includes Peppermint, Bergamot, Lavender, and Citrus Fresh. I also love Valor, Peace & Calming, Stress Away, or Frankincense.
Practice gratefulness. Jot down a few ideas in a gratefulness journal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – simply grab a notebook you already have and write down a few things for which you’re grateful. Diffuse some of your favorite essential oils to help you get into the right state of mind.
Encourage natural detoxification. Take up a dry brushing practice before you get in the shower. It feels good, is great for your skin, and can help encourage your body’s natural detoxification processes.
Get in the Word. Read your Bible or do an independent Bible study. Double up by sitting outside and enjoying nature at the same time. This is one of my most favorite things to do when the weather permits. Even if it’s really hot and humid, I still often sit outside to take advantage of a little sweat detox at the same time.
Read. Instead of scrolling through your phone, pick up your favorite book (yes, the one that’s been gathering dust) and read a chapter. Or even a few pages. The point is to spend a few minutes for yourself doing what you want to do. Again, you could double up by taking your book outside to soak in some rays.
Drink your antioxidants. Make an antioxidant-rich Matcha latte to fuel your body, give you energy, and fight those free radicals. I like Ujido’s Ceremonial Blend, mixed with a scoop of powdered medicinal mushrooms, cinnamon, a dash of stevia, and some collagen, topped with my favorite frothed cashew milk. Alternatively (or in addition!), gulp your daily shot of NingXia Red to support overall wellness. My family loves NingXia, and I feel great about all the goodness they’re drinking.
Oil Pull. Try oil pulling to encourage natural oral health while making lunches or doing the dishes. I oil pull on days I don’texercise because there’s only so much time to go around. I use about 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil (hardened coconut oil makes me gag, so I run hot water over the outside of a glass cup with the oil in it) and add a drop of Clove Vitality essential oil (look up all the reasons why clove is good for oral health!). It took awhile to work up to 15-20 minutes, but it’s relatively easy to do once you get used to it and I love that it offers natural detoxification. ALWAYS spit the oil out in the trash can and NOT in the sink. The oil will harden and do some pretty bad stuff to your pipes.
Make your bed. There’s something incredibly satisfying about walking into your bedroom when it’s put together and looks nice. It only takes a few moments and can really help to set a positive tone for the day. Keeping tidy spaces truly can be a form of self care.
Eat a meal. Make yourself breakfast and sit down to eat it. I’m talking a protein, veggie, healthy fat, and whole grain. Do it up! Breakfast is one of my most favorite meals of the day and I look forward to it every morning. I don’t skimp either, I have a full meal! If you’re up for it, try to include a fermented veggie or drink to support your gut health.
Set intentions. Write out a to-do list for the day. One that’s actually achievable. It helps to stay on track during the day so you’re not left wondering where the day went. And it’s empowering to cross items off the list … or maybe that’s just me?
Listen to music. What kind of music inspires you or makes you feel calm? Put that on as you start your day. I find that music really sets the tone in the house. As a homeschooling mama who is home often, I almost always have music playing. With the Pandora app on my TV, it’s easy peasy to pick a station that fits my mood and the atmosphere I’m trying to convey.