The Best Morning Routines

Are yours making the cut? How you choose to begin your day can impact how the rest of it plays out, not only for you, but everyone in your home!

Getting up on the wrong side of the bed isn't uncommon. We have all been there and had our mornings we wanted to opt out of. Maybe your mornings consist of various simultaneous alarms, rushed panic leaving, or yelling at your kid(s) repeatedly to get up and get ready-what if I told you that you could change all that just by really focusing on YOU for the first few minutes after you open your eyes in the morning. I know, you're probably thinking "Focus on ME?! Lady I have to get myself (plus others) up, ready, (hopefully fed) and out the door!". But what if I told you that it doesn't take longer than your usual expression of angst for the morning? It is as simple as literally waking up and forcing yourself to smile as soon as you open your eyes and really just feel your body out before you jump out of the bed, stretching every limb all the way like a cat. Next, as you sit up with your feet gradually making their way to the floor, try rolling your neck and shoulders all around really good while taking some full deep breaths in and out for about 30 seconds. All this while, try to focus on being grateful that you woke up and have another chance at life today when some do not. Focus on wanting the best for others and yourself in this life. Focus on the positive things you would like to happen for you today and set the intention for that energy to draw forward. Energy flows where attention goes so if you're waking up on a sour note and it happens to be an important day that needs you on your 'A' game, your morning will throw you off before you ever hit the field.

If you have children, depending on the age range you may have to tailor what suits your child best. However, I wanted to share how my morning routines have changed in hopes of it helping another tired and frustrated mom. I have done everything I've stated above to balance my own energy before I introduce it to my child as I pull them into a waking state. It's a whole different show than bringing my muddled energy busting into her room and blasting the bright lights at 6 am talking about some "Get up and get ready for school," on repeat every ten minutes for the next thirty because I can't adult today and need to lay back down for a second. My kid somehow knows what I'm up to and believes she's won a pass to get away a little longer with the same-oh what a rude awakening. It sets the stage for a different waking experience when I find my comfiest robe, slip into it, then dart over to her room where I turn on a dim light at her bedside, nestling up next to her and notice she can feel my presence as she slowly starts to wake on her own. I whisper positive affirmations which I begin by saying "Repeat if you can hear me Princess. I am beautiful, I am smart, I am admired, I am accepted, I am loved, I am worthy, I am well-behaved, I am respectful, I am respected, I am honest, I am helpful, I am kind, I am generous, I am brave, I am true". Usually, by this time she is fully awake and sitting up in bed grabbing at her school outfit and slipping into the days new gear with a smile on her face after giving me a big hug and kiss. Then I go make her a couple of pieces of toast with butter because it's what she prefers lately. It used to be bagels and strawberry cream cheese then toast with strawberry jelly, but every so often her taste will change again.

My daughter is then ready to seize the day and conquer the tasks at hand like brushing her teeth and hair, washing her face and hands, rubbing a little lotion all over then spritzing some smell good mist as the cherry on top. Stressing the importance of having the upper hand on how your day starts shows the benefits in itself. I find myself more productive and in turn so is my mini-me, it's a snowball effect I can roll with!

Rock the Routine that's Right for you!

• Prepared Approach: You're picking out your outfits the night before and having your children do the same so there's no arguments over wearing something they don't like anymore. You're prepping tomorrow's breakfast, lunch, and dinner before you ever call it a day. You are a hero to your future self.
• Hedonistic Approach: You're not in a rush to get anything done and you're not stressed about the things you won't get to right now. You understand that the mess will still be there when you get home and that personal hygiene outweighs breakfast this morning since you pulled an all-nighter binge watching Netflix. You are most comfortable just being comfortable and don't set unnecessary expectations for yourself or others. A lot of people may not get your life, but if it works for you then more power to you, friend!
• Procrastination Approach: You are living life on the edge hand in hand with procrastination. You find a heightening thrill in rushing to meet a deadline or pulling a project together for presentation at the last minute. There's a method to your madness, but it does cause you unpredictable and unnecessary stress. You're not quite living up to your full potential but have the capacity to do so if you're willing to apply more discipline into your lifestyle. You have the makings of the greats, you just have to get out of your own way.

No judgement is passed here if you find yourself familiar with one of the descriptions above. We are all unique and have to do what works best for us, but it doesn't hurt to realize when something isn't quite working. Trial and error is the difference between failure and success. We have to take what we find works best for us and be sure to leave out all the rest. Consistency is key as well. The more you include something as a part of your routine, the more likely it is to become a habit. We can all use better habits, but we have to remember we have the power to control them. It all starts with us!