My Transformative Morning Routine

Before I met my husband, I used to wake up in the morning and immediately check my email. Then I’d probably skip breakfast and be glued to my computer all day, eating lunch at my desk most of the time. In the evenings I’d either run out to dinner or an event (or two!), or work all night. My stress levels were high, but I was too busy to really notice.

My husband had several well-thought-out routines that helped keep him healthy, and made it easy for him to deal with the stress of daily life. So, with his help, I started on a path to find inner serenity (which, incidentally, is also a great way to find your soulmate, happiness, and career success.) It turned out to be much easier than I’d anticipated. All I had to do was make a few new actions habit. Here are the five things I now do every morning that have transformed my life, and can transform yours too:

Bathroom Sanctuary

Each morning, the very first thing I do when I wake up is head to the bathroom to brush my teeth. That’s when spa time starts.

I leave my Origins products out next to the sink so they’re easily accessible in case I’m really tired (and also because I love the look of the bottles on my counter). I love the line because it’s so natural, the products feel and smell great, and I respect that they leave out all the chemicals known to be toxic, plus they list all their ingredients on their website.

If my hair is feeling dry, I’ll put some Ojon Rare Blend Oil Rejuvenating Therapy on it and throw it up in a ponytail. I start with Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum and apply it all over my face. Then, to instantly make myself look more awake, I slather on Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff under my eyes.

Then I quickly dry brush my skin, which takes about a minute and helps to exfoliate and get my circulation going. After that, I apply Origins Comfort Mood Whipped Vanilla Body Soufflé (in the summer I use their whipped vanilla body soufflé, and in the winter I use their ultra-rich vanilla body butter) to my whole body, to keep my skin looking young and healthy. The smell helps me to wake up, and relaxes me at the same time, keeping my mind off of all the tasks I have to do that day.

Drink Some Water with Lemon

After my bathroom sanctuary ritual, I go into the kitchen and pour some warm, filtered water into a mug, along with a teaspoon of this organic lemon juice (but fresh organic lemon is better, if you have the time to go get some). Drinking that helps my body to detox, gets things moving internally, and balanced my stomach’s PH levels. It’s my daily detox routine that takes a total of 2 minutes. Here are some more of the many benefits of drinking warm water with lemon.

And speaking of water, keep a bottle or pitcher of it next to you at all times and sip throughout the day. I also love to have organic detox tea in the morning and throughout the day.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Repeat after me: “I will never, ever, ever skip breakfast again.” Good.

I know you’ve heard it before, but breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. It keeps your blood sugar stable and gives your mind the fuel it needs to work efficiently. That’s all assuming you’re eating something healthy, and not rushing.

Avoid sugar and gluten/carbs, and stick to veggies, grains like quinoa and chia, and proteins like tempeh and free-range eggs. Skip the heavy meat and sugary juices. If you’re going to eat fruit, have it 15 minutes before other food, as your stomach uses different enzymes to digest fruit quickly, and if you eat it with other food, it’ll literally be pushed aside to rot in your gut while the other food is broken down first. Yuk! If you want more food advice, I love this book.

They say it’s best to eat within 10 minutes of waking. So, drink your warm lemon water, then go to the bathroom and brush your teeth, then make yourself a healthy breakfast. This part requires some willpower: Don’t multitask. Seriously. Save your new emails, stress and the news for at the office. This is relaxing time, so sit at a table in silence and eat slowly, making sure to chew everything thoroughly, so your stomach has an easier time with it.

Meditate

Now, I know you’ve heard this before, but meditation works. If you’re not sure how to do it, just commit to 5 minutes per morning for the first week, then increase it by five minutes per week until it’s 20 minutes per morning. Then, ideally, you’d do it in the morning and about 8 hours later, to help you through the afternoon slump.

A couple of times a week I apply my Origins Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, or my Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Mask, before I meditate, as 10 minutes is the perfect amount of time to let the mask set. On cold days, or when my neck feels sore, I’ll heat up my Origins Feel Good Hug Warm Ginger Body Wrap and throw it over my shoulders, because I love how the smell calms my mind and the heat calms my shoulders.

Not sure how to meditate? It’s easy — don’t worry. Sit down in a relaxed and upright position. Set the alarm on your phone for when you want to come out of it (I recommend finding an app that has a soft, gradual alarm). Close your eyes. When you notice that you are thinking, just redirect your focus to your breathing and how your body feels to clear your mind. Does your jaw feel tight? How about your shoulders? Relax them as much as possible.

You can take lessons or use a DVD to help you get started. I personally love Transcendental Meditation (www.tm.org), which has classes and teaches you to repeat a series of sounds (you can pick, but mine is “sharimmm”) whenever you notice you’re thinking thoughts. I also love this meditation video by Gaiam, which helps you to meditate through breathing techniques that effectively clear your mind.

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.