Until very recently (er, like, today) my morning routine went something like this. Wake up. Check the time on my phone. Check Instagram. Check Twitter. Check Facebook. Check emails. Drag myself out of bed. Head straight to the kitchen to get caffeinated, possibly tripping over a pair of shoes I left in the hall the previous night.
Not exactly the best start to the day I could give myself, it’s hardly surprising that I feel fuzzy and unfocussed until at least midway through my second cup of coffee.
I want to be one of those people who eases themselves into the day instead of kind of stumbling into it. Tomorrow being the longest day of the year I figure there couldn’t be a better day for me to start a new morning routine. All that extra time I’ll have, y’know. Here’s what it’s going to look like…
No phone
I’ve bought an alarm clock so that I don’t have to keep my phone in the bedroom and I’m not tempted to OD on social media before I’ve even really woken up. I’m predicting this is going to be the hardest change for me to make.
Stretch
Before I roll out of bed I’m going to give myself a full body stretch, reaching my fingers towards the bedhead and pointing my toes towards the bottom of the bed, then I’ll hug my knees into my chest, like at the end of savasana in a yoga class, before stretching out again and then slowly getting up.
Write
I’ve just started rereading The Artist’s Way
Light a candle
I love that when I walk into the main room at my favourite yoga studio there are always candles burning and a lovely scent in the air. Instead of just using my candles as decoration I’m going to actually light them (I know, what madness!) allowing their soft light and gentle scent to add an atmosphere of calm to my flat.
Drink
Instead of mainlining coffee from the minute I wake up, I’m going to make my first drink of the day a mug of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. Pretty much every wellness guru recommends starting your day with this immune-system-boosting, pH-level-balancing, digestion-aiding drink. I’ve tried this before and didn’t love it, so this will be the second hardest thing to do.
Get outside
Then, weather allowing, I’ll go sit on my balcony with my water and lemon drink, sipping it slowly and breathing deeply as the world wakes up around me.
Roll out my yoga mat
Finally, and even if I’m planning to go to a yoga class later, I’ll do a few asanas to wake up my body. Some gentle stretches and twists, a forward fold, maybe even a couple of sun salutations. Then a final stretch and, after that, who knows, but how can I fail to have a good day after that start?!
What are your morning rituals? Do share below!
Images: Margaret Howell Spring 2011 campaign
Miranda you need a Lumie light / alarm clock – best thing ever. Wake up to sunrise and then birds tweeting and go to sleep to sunset.
That sounds like the perfect way to wake up/fall asleep Victoria, definitely need one of those in my life!
Sounds perfect! I started doing the warm water and lemon drink two weeks ago, and I’m still not loving it, but I will persevere. I also want to by an alarm clock – I currently use my work Blackberry as an alarm clock and hate looking at it first thing in the morning. My other morning ritual is chasing my 2 year old around the house trying to get him dressed for nursery, but unfortunately I can’t think of a way to make that any less stressful.
Do you think we’ll eventually start to like the hot water and lemon thing Vicky?!
Just reading this post makes me feel really calm Miranda.
I heard that just by moving your phone to a different room at night can have a really positive effect on sleep. It’s definitely worth a try x
I’ll let you know how I get on! x
Yep, I started putting my phone to charge in the living room. Saves so much time (because I’m not checking Facebook before/while getting dressed) and I feel so much better for it. I’d also recommend a cup of green tea (or matcha) as a great way to start the day.
Ooh, I do like a cup of green tea with mint Claire, I’m yet to try matcha…
I really should do the phone thing – so guilty of alarm going off and looking at Instgram straight away!
I do get up and head straight to the gym though which always makes me feel good in the morning – then breakfast and hot water and lemon. Stick with the hot water and lemon – I used to do it just because it was ‘good for me’ but now I love it. Mornings when I have forgotten a lemon are bad mornings!
Instagram is always my first check Bryony, so I can catch up on what Australia and LA have been up to while I’ve been sleeping! Exercising in the morning works well for me too. Good to hear that you’ve grown to love hot water and lemon!
I just bought an alarm clock this week so I can clear the bedroom of iPhone! Husband has been told no iPhone or iPad as well! I have to say it’s been nice to wake up to the radio but I have been a bit twitchy not being able to check twitter if I fancy – I don’t do it every morning but sometimes….
I started using Headspace recently and would love to give myself 10 mins in the morning to do it but when it’s week days I just don’t have enough time and I know I’d end up sitting thinking about everything I have to do.
Happy new routine!
Ooh, yes to Headspace too. Although I’ve fallen off the wagon recently – need to clamber back on.
OK, definitely doing Headspace!
Thank you Lynn! I’ve heard good things about Headspace. One to add to my app collection!
I’ve wanted to get an alarm clock and ditch the phone in bedroom for ages…and this isn’t just an excuse promise! But I can’t find a nice enough alarm clock to go in my bedroom!
I know exactly what you mean Francesca, the one I’ve got is very functional looking…!