Mindful Mornings.
Morning routines are popular as ever right now. Wellness experts, self-made millionaires, and TikTok-obsessed teens all swear by their waking rituals, ranging from pre-dawn Pilates to a half-hour of gratitude journaling and tea sipping.
And to be honest, without a mindful routine through lockdowns these past couple of years, I know my mental health would have really struggled. I created a simple morning routine in my Notes in my phone, and since then have continued these as part of my day, to give some structure to a normally chaotic morning and some mindfulness to normally mindless tasks.
By incorporating simple and mindful routines into my day, I shifted from sluggishly hitting the snooze button to waking up refreshed and ready to go when I roll out of bed in the morning. Here are some of my top tips to actually make that happen:
Prep before bed.
A little planning goes a long way to making your mornings run smoothly. Pack lunches while you clean up dinner, layout work and gym outfits when you put on your pj’s, and jot down your goals for the next day before turning in for the night. And always leave the kitchen sink and bench clean and tidy, with the diffuser on to clear out the stale air (my FAVE blend is On Guard, Purify and Litsea). This kind of prep will help you feel more mentally prepared for a productive tomorrow. Plus the joy you get knowing the kitchen is clear before you start the day is life-giving.
Give yourself time.
Getting up earlier can be the difference between having a calm start to your day versus feeling foggy and frantic after snoozing your alarm seven times. Not a morning person? Just start slowly and wake up 5 or 10 minutes earlier until you adjust, then keep going until you are waking up at your ideal time.
As a mum of 4, mornings can be crazy and chaotic. Choosing to set my alarm half an hour earlier than when the kids normally wake up - so for me that means 5.45am, because my kids are up at 6.15am - means I get to wake up for ME, slowly get up, let my mind wander before it switches into mum mode and if I'm lucky, sometimes even squeeze in a shower or a quiet cuppa.
A Mindful Wake up.
(make sure you have Balance or Frankincense on your bedside for this one.
First thing in the morning, before checking your phone, sit up it in your bed or a chair in a relaxed posture. Close your eyes and connect with the sensations of your body. Make sure your spine is straight but not rigid. Once comfortable, take a few drops of Balance and add them to the palm of your hands.
Cup your hands over your mouth and nose and take three long, deep, nourishing breaths—breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then let your breath settle into its own rhythm as you simply follow it in and out, noticing the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe.
Before you move, ask yourself a few questions to set yourself up for a mindful day:
How might I show up today to have the best impact?
What quality of mind do I want to strengthen and develop?
What do I need to take better care of myself?
During difficult moments, how might I be more compassionate to others and myself?
Hydrate yourself.
If you do not hydrate yourself enough, it can have a detrimental effect on your cognitive functioning. So after you take some time to breathe in the morning, have your drink bottle by your bed, to chug down as much as you can stomach - 2 glasses worth is ideal. Drinking enough water first thing in the morning also helps in activating your internal organs, paving the way for a healthy start to your day. Drinking water after waking up can also work wonders for your mental health.
Make your bed.
This might seem simple and trivial, but for me it is a non-negotiable. One thing I will always do before I leave my bedroom in the morning is make my bed. If my bed is made it gives me mental clarity for the day ahead. It makes me feel like I have accomplished SOMETHING even if all I'm doing that day is keeping kids alive. If my bedroom is clean and clear, I feel like I have a safe-haven to come back to when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
Wake up your senses.
No motivational morning routine is complete without a diffuser blend to set the tone for the day. Looking for a seize-the-day scent to start your mornings? Blend Peppermint, Lemon and Citrus Bliss for a lively and inspiring aroma that says, “You’ve got this.”
Rise and Shine diffuser blend
4 drops Peppermint
3 drops Citrus Bliss
3 drops Lemon
Want something that goes better with slow, easy-going mornings, a buttery croissant and a steaming hot cuppa (we can dream right?!)? Then you’ll need Balance and Frankincense. Simply pop a few drops of each in your diffuser, breathe deep, and feel like you just woke up in Paris sans kids.
Bonjour, Beautiful diffuser blend
3 drops Balance
3 drops Frankincense
Dress for the day you want.
Even if you have nowhere to go, take a few minutes to put on something that makes you feel powerful, whether it’s jeans instead of tights, a nice top, instead of activewear or even some big hoop earrings. Try styling your hair instead of chucking it in a mum-bun, and put on a little makeup if that feels like you. Getting ready for the day is a simple way to lift your spirits and your confidence.
Boost your breakfast.
There’s nothing like the thought of an exciting breakfast to motivate you to bounce out of bed. When it comes to having good morning routine habits, eating is one of the most important things. If you eat something within an hour of waking up, it helps in getting your blood sugar levels up and, in turn, works towards preventing grumpiness and irritation. Since you have been fasting for the entire night, your body needs replenishment to function properly. Make breakfast amazing by including healthy nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, protein, and complex carbohydrates. Eggs, vegetables, good fats, yogurts [raw dairy or coconut], nuts, and fruits have been seen to help people feel better both mentally and physically when incorporated daily.
Some of our go-to's include:
Overnight chia breakfast bowls
Dippy eggs and sourdough (with some smashed avo of course)
Homemade granola, yoghurt and berries (prep your homemade granola a week ahead)
Mango, banana, berry smoothie bowl (prep all the ingredients into a container in the freezer to just tip and whizz in the morning - and don't forget the fun toppings!)
Loaded veggie omelette (prep all the veggies into diced pieces the night before, to simply fry up in the morning!)
Do something for YOU.
Power up your morning with an activity that makes you feel ready to take on the day. For some, a slow and simple skin care routine may be what you need to feel awake and refreshed. Others might prefer a relaxing ritual of pilates or meditation. If you’re not a fan of routines, feel free to mix up your morning activity day to day. Here are some ideas you can try:
Move your body. Stretch, go for a run, or do some push-ups, planks, and jumping jacks in your bedroom for 20 minutes.
Wake up your face. Cleanse, tone and moisturise with a gua sha massage.
Have a cuppa. Sip on a Peppermint or Lemon and On Guard tea while you read, journal, or water your plants.
Feed your brain. Listen to a podcast, do a crossword puzzle, or research a subject that interests you. While you’re at it, diffuse an get-up-and-go aroma like Spearmint and Motivate.
Whatever you decide to do, keep it short and sweet. You don’t need to jump into an hour-long morning routine—even a few minutes of intentional activity can change the whole tone for the day.