Finding yourself reaching for the snooze button every morning? We feel your pain. But waking up just 10-15 minutes earlier might actually be the solution to your morning madness. Research has shown that taking just a few minutes to focus on yourself during the early hours of the day can help to reduce stress, leaving you feeling better equipped to take on your to-do list. Here are some of the benefits of using tea to create a calming morning routine.
Try creating a relaxing routine to look forward to in the morning. Not only will this make it easier to get out of bed, it also sets you up for the day ahead - starting your day off on a positive and intentional note.
Setting up a morning routine is one of the best ways to make sure that you are incorporating self-care into your days.
MEDITATE
Morning meditation can help you to feel more awake and centered, leaving you more focused as you move into your day. Plus, it gives you the time to approach the day with a plan, allowing you to let overwhelming thoughts float away, leaving you more protected from stress.
Your morning meditation doesn’t have to be complicated or require too much time: just five minutes can be a great way to start your day. Ensure that you’re sitting comfortably, either in your bed, in a chair, or on the floor, using pillows or blankets to support your hips and keep you at a comfortable temperature. Let your eyes close, and focus on noticing every part of your body, acknowledging your thoughts and then letting them go, concentrating on taking slow, deep belly breaths.
BREW A CUP OF TEA
Of course we recommend starting your day with a cup of tea!
Swapping out your morning cup of coffee for a cup of tea can help give you a boost of long-lasting energy, without leaving you feeling wired. With so many different breakfast blends available, black tea is a great option for the morning. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, and can help get your metabolism going for the day, stimulating your brain and helping you to focus.
MAKE A GRATITUDE LIST
Often, we’re so concentrated on our plans for the day that we forget to take a moment to focus on all the good things that we have going on. Gratitude is such a powerful way to help set you up for the day because it helps to train your brain to notice the uplifting, positive things, inspiring a more optimistic outlook.
It’s totally simple, too: just writing down three things you are grateful for every morning can help. They don’t have to be big things, either. In fact, it’s best just to focus on something simple. The sun is shining or My heart is beating are both examples of beneficial statements of gratitude.
MOVE YOUR BODY
Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is jump out of bed in the morning, but there are some pretty powerful benefits to starting your day off with movement. Morning workouts are one of the best ways to give yourself a boost of energy and help you to feel mentally clear.
Morning workouts get rid of excess stress and give your brain a much-needed boost of dopamine, meaning that you’ll start your day off with a burst of joy. People who workout in the morning report experiencing better sleep as well.
Your morning movement doesn’t have to be intense. Starting off your day with a walk around the neighborhood or some morning yoga can help get your blood flowing and leave you better equipped to take on your day.
GIVE YOURSELF SOME AFFIRMATIONS
Affirmations are powerful, positive statements that allow you to focus on your goals, hopes, and intentions. They can help you reframe your thoughts and manifest what you want. Taking the time to focus on daily affirmations in the morning is like setting up a mantra for your day, giving you powerful words to repeat as you live your life.
One of the best ways to do this is to use “I am…” statements rather than “I will…” statements. You can also focus on visualization here, allowing yourself to picture being successful in the affirmations you’ve created for yourself.
Following any of these steps will have you well on your way to a relaxing morning routine. Before you know it, you’ll be like Cinderella, hopping out of bed with a smile and a song and letting small woodland creatures help you get dressed.