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My Transformative Morning Routine
This morning routine changed my life for the better.
Make a List
When I wake in the morning, right after eating and meditating, I make a list of ten things I’m grateful for today. Five may be the same each time (my loving family, my husband, our cats, my health, etc.), and five change daily (I get to go for a walk and the weather is perfect outside, I’m going to spend time with friends that I love today, I have an exciting vacation coming up, etc.) This helps you start the day on a positive and optimistic note.
I also make a list of five things I want to get done today. One of those things is always this: Take breaks! Stand up and stretch. Go for a walk. Move my body. When I get distracted by Pinterest (so addictive…), or something else, I can check my list and it helps me get back on track. Plus, it feels great to cross the items off each day!
Move That Body!
Yeah, I know. Exercise takes time and isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. But it’s worth the effort. I promise.
If you’re strapped for time and don’t want to ride your bike to work or make the trek to the gym, you can always get an exercise machine and put it in your apartment. Then just commit to using it for 15 to 30 minutes a day, before you shower in the morning. Or for an even faster workout, try this 7 minute workout, which does a body wonders. Depending on my mood, I alternate between yoga/stretching, the 7 minute workout and my exercise machine.
Not only does exercising boost your mood and make you healthier, but it makes you more productive at work. So, the time you use up exercising will pay off in time saved by being a rock star of efficiency in the office. Oh yeah — I almost forgot! — it’ll also improve your relationship by making your moods more stable and revving up your sex drive. Now who wouldn’t want all that??
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Origins.
Tammy Fuller
Hmmnnn.. I like the idea of applying a face mask before going on meditation. It’s not exactly multitasking, but it helps you fall into that meditation state easier because of the relaxing feeling that face masks give you. You also get nicer looking skin, heheh. Love that idea. Although, I don’t plan on putting face masks everyday, so maybe I could also go old school with sliced cucumber as an eye mask. I need depuffing every morning. Nothing can beat cold cucumber slices.?
CHRISTINA VILLARREAL
How many minutes should we really exercise in a day? I was told 30 minutes at least. But I can’t even last 10 minutes on my treadmill.?
Dawn Gonzales
I’m one of those people who dislike exercise because I feel like I can’t fit it in my busy daily life… I guess that’s just an excuse that I make for myself but I never got around to doing it.
Bernice Perry
I agree with your husband that you have to keep doing these routines religiously. It’s not good to have very high stress levels the morning you wake up. It happened to me before and it wasn’t fun. I’d sleep at night feeling really tired and wake up in the morning feeling twice as tired. I was not motivated to do anything at all, I felt like I just wanted to go on a vacation and forget about work. It was very draining and stressful. I felt like I was on the verge of getting depression. These morning habits can really shift your mood almost instantly.
Rosalia Russell
We all live such a busy life and we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. We’re the priority here. Our health is.
McNulty
Dry brushing makes my skin really dry. So when I’m using exfoliating tools, I have to use a body wash to help with the softening of the bristles. It also hurts dry brushing and I don’t like it at all.
Ani Hoker
Maybe you’re using the wrong brush? The one I have is really soft. Maybe the brush you’re using isn’t meant for dry brushing.
Devon Carlson
It’s great to keep a small notebook in your desk that will remind you of the things that you need to do for the day. ?
Anne Knotts
I also try to keep my skincare near me at night. Even if I’m really tired, I know that the 5-15minutes that I spend cleaning my skin and doing my skincare are worth it. I used to think that it’s okay to keep my makeup on and that I’ll be removing it the next day anyway, but that was so wrong! I will never do that ever. I also think that the minutes I spend doing my “spa routine” is very relaxing and has helped me sleep better at night. I also try to use products that have lavender and chamomile at night or anything that has a cooling and relaxing effect.
Kayla Carlson
Great idea in using chamomile and lavender infused products. I find those ingredients very relaxing because of the scent.
Nicole Carlson
I do my wishlists / list of things I’m thankful for at night. It makes me feel triumphant at the end of the day and I’m able to sleep better because I’m left with good thoughts before going to bed.
Deanna Woods
My boss used to meditate for 15 minutes at work. She says that it helps her feel focused afterward. We thought it was funny at first.