There’s nothing quite like waking up early and getting a jump on things. With the day just beginning, those first few quiet hours of the morning often feel full of possibility. They’re also a great time to reset the mind and body, and prepare for the day ahead. Here are some of our favorite ways to make your mornings even more magical than they already are.
Invest in an Old-Fashioned Alarm Clock.
So many of us rely on the alarms on our phones to wake us up in the mornings. But doing so means that as soon as we reach over to turn off the alarm, we can easily get sucked in to checking emails, replying to texts, or scrolling through social media. Checking on our phones first thing often means missing out on the morning quiet. Instead, using an old-fashioned, battery powered alarm clock is a great alternative that helps to remove the temptation to scroll and postpone phone usage until a little later in the day.
Try a Gentle Detox.
Do you ever wake up with umm...morning breath? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. In the eastern wellness tradition of Ayurveda, oil pulling and tongue scraping are common morning detox practices that can also help to kick that morning breath. This involves swishing with coconut or sesame oil for several minutes as a kind of mouthwash and very gently scraping the tongue with a tongue scraper. You can also use a toothbrush or spoon as an alternative if you don’t have a tongue scraper handy. Following morning oil-pulling and tongue scraping, Ayurvedic practitioners will also drink a glass or two of warm water, sometimes with lemon, before eating anything for the day as a way of gently cleansing the system.
Ease Into It.
Sometimes getting out of bed is just not that appealing, especially when it’s cold and dark outside. That’s why many people in Denmark practice hygge in the winters. Hygge is both a mindset and practice designed to evoke feelings of warmth, light and coziness, especially during those long, cold winter months. Whether you light a candle, make a cup of tea or play some soft music, embracing hygge is a great way to make the mornings cozier and ease into an early-riser lifestyle.
Expand Your Mind.
Before the day fills up and things get busy, the morning is a great time for a little self-reflection. Morning meditation, journaling or even creative practices like drawing and painting are all great ways to expand your mind and relieve stress, leaving you calm and clear-headed for the day ahead.
Fuel Up.
A nourishing breakfast is key to fueling your body for the rest of the day. Getting something to eat in the mornings, especially something with some protein in it, is a great way to support your body and energy throughout the day.
Get That ‘One Thing’ Out of The Way.
We all have it. That one thing that needs to get done, but that we keep putting off. It might be a tough email that we know we need to send or a pile of laundry to fold. It’s the dreaded task that’s been sitting there, taking up space in our minds and our lives. Whether or not we’re spending time doing that one thing, it can become a subtle, persistent distraction until it’s completed. Completing it first thing in the morning is a great way to free up time and mental space for the rest of the day.
Create a Bedtime Routine.
It’s difficult to have a magical morning after a poor night of sleep. A relaxing bedtime routine helps to signal to your brain that it’s time to unwind for the day and get a good night of rest. Whether it’s an epsom salt bath, some quiet time reading a good book or even just the simple act of putting your phone in airplane mode for the night, finding a bedtime practice that works for you can set you up for a good night’s sleep and a great morning ahead.
