Morning Rituals to Set Your Day

The blaring sound of the alarm echoes through my bedroom and then--

I turn it off in frustration. Let's face it, life can get pretty hectic. For me, it begins on Mondays—always on a Monday, sometimes even on Sundays. To lessen the load, I've made a list of morning rituals that I've started doing to get my day going. Hopefully, you can find some solace in these or, at least, a bit of inspiration.

Exercise:

I know how hard it is to get into a routine, but all you need is thirty minutes a day. If you suffer from anxiety like I do, it helps—truly. My favorite exercise is old-fashioned walking. I've found great success in just walking alone, which began back in high school. I never do it alone; I'm accompanied by my husband, son, or both. It could be around your block or neighborhood, in your backyard (if it's big enough), or even in the forest (if it's safe). Steps, as I call it, can also help you get used to moving your body and releasing added stress. Best done in the morning—trust me, it feels amazing. If you're more advanced, try high-intensity workouts mixed with weight training. Remember, it doesn't have to be over an hour—just enough to get you moving.

Coffee:

There's nothing more refreshing than sitting in your living room or on your porch, enjoying a warm cup of coffee or tea. You don't even have to speak; just sip slowly, savor the taste, and let your mind focus on the flavor. When was the last time you truly enjoyed a cup of coffee without the noise? Try daydreaming while sipping and think about an upcoming vacation or places you'd like to explore?

Sage Burning:

I love this one. I don't do this every single morning due to time constraints, but I try to fit sage burning (preferably white) around the house in the morning while humming, to clear up any negative energy from dark spaces. I say this respectfully—trust in the sage. The thickness shows you exactly where you need to focus, and if you enjoy the smell of burning leaves, it adds a woody fragrance around the house. Open windows while doing this, and always let the last smoke out at the front door.

Music:

I find music so inspiring, especially when working in a creative field or cooking (which is creative, if you think about it!). In the morning, I usually choose something cool, calm, and collective. It doesn't have to be songs with words—I think music compositions work just as well, if not better. Imagine lying in your bed with headphones on, listening to the sound of the beat. The way the piano hits a note or the violin strings beautifully in the wind. Music helps, I promise.

Writing:

Last but not least, if you're a writer like me, it's always good to make time for it in the morning, preferably before work or on early Saturday mornings before I leave for the day or the house gets crazy. I find that setting aside either words (100-1000) per day gets what's in my head onto paper (or a word file). Alternatively, try setting aside minutes—usually, it takes me about an hour if I go this route, especially when editing at the same time. Please, don't do both editing and writing—it takes way too long and can sometimes cause un-motivation, which we don't want. Try writing in the morning; it will help.

If you have any morning rituals list them below, I'd love to hear them.