6 Steps to an Easy and Effective Morning Routine
Written by: Lauraine McDonald, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Wake up and spend time breathing
Breathing, especially using your diaphragm instead of your chest, is a great way to orient yourself into a new day and into your body. You can even do this from the comfort of your own bed if you like. It is easy to wake up, reach for the phone, get up out of bed and start ‘doing’ your day. So, this first step will help you change this habit and allow you to start your day in a calmer and more relaxed place.
Check in with your body to see how it is feeling.
And by this, I literally mean check-in. Ask your body how it's feeling. Our bodies talk to us constantly, and we seem not to respond most of the time. Your body will tell you if you ask it. You might experience a sensation, feeling, words, pictures, or smells. Trust that what you are given first is correct, and then listen. This little trick of mine helps to figure out energy levels for the day, alongside having more of an idea of what the body actually needs, wants, and desires, which will allow you to be more in sync with your body. When in sync more, you can work with it rather than against it. Knowing your energy levels will help you to pace yourself in a way that works for you.
Find a mantra to help connect your mind and body for the day.
Now you know a little more in terms of where your body is and what it is feeling, finding a mantra for the day, whether it is to help improve your mood and energy levels, or to sustain the place that you are already in, can help you stay grounded and centered throughout your day. Maybe you have a big scary meeting, and you need help to stay calm and in your body. Whatever is going on for you, positively talking to yourself will help.
Some suggestions:
I can do hard things
I use my voice to speak the truth
Today I will pace myself and go slow
I stay authentic to who I am today
I am whole, healthy, and well
I will send a smile to each and every person I see today
I am me
I am who I am
I know who I am
I take a breath before I speak
I am full of energy and ready to go
Repeating your mantra when needed will give you some support from the inside.
Set some intentions with your first cup of water.
We all drink water in the morning. Water takes on the energy you give it. If you speak negatively to water (or yourself, given that we are mostly water), the cells shrivel up. If you speak positively to water (or yourself), the cells expand into beautiful crystals. So, sit with your water for a moment, put some positive intentions into your glass, or use the mantra you created in step 3. This will give you some extra support for your whole day. If you try this and it works out well for you, you can also do this with every single cup of water you drink.
What is it that you need to set your day up for a successful one?
For example, do you need to eat a full hearty breakfast? Do you like to exercise in the morning? Take a long hot or cold shower? Etc.
What is it that you already know about yourself that your day always turns out better when you do?
Implement it and use it. You are already way more intuitive than you give yourself credit for, and this step shows it. You know what works for you, and you know what doesn’t. Permit yourself to continue doing it for yourself.
Check social media, emails, and phone calls as late as possible in the day.
We are constantly using some technology, and whilst this obviously has its positives, it has its negatives also. For one, it takes your awareness away from you. So, if you can spend as much time without it in the morning, you are really giving yourself the best chance to get in tune with who you are and where you are starting your day from, without outside influences. You are re-iterating to yourself that you are important and deserve time spent on you. So take your time before re-introducing yourself to the outside world.
Lauraine McDonald, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lauraine McDonald is an intuitive guide and empathic healer who has been working with Energy for over 15 years. She has two degrees in Psychology and relishes every opportunity to bridge the gap between the mind and body. Due to many traumatic experiences, she has dedicated her life to helping people connect authentically to themselves and the world around them. She does this by helping you to release past traumas, break free from cultural and societal boxes and innately see and express who you are. Deeply rooted in the Native American Way of Life, Lauraine brings a holistic approach to her work. Lauraine is also a Sexual Abuse Advocate and looks forward to bringing light to the mental health stigma of keeping quiet and holding on to secrets that belong out in the open. Her mission is, "Become you, speak your truth, reclaim your power and step into who you were born to be."
