How To Create A Holistic Morning Routine
Oh those elaborate morning routines, they look great and all but who really has the time for something that extravagant? In this post, we’ll show you that a morning routine doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Join us as we guide you in crafting your own holistic morning routine that offers all the benefits you need in a fraction of the time.
Why have a morning routine?
One of the primary advantages of a morning routine is that it helps you start your day in the right energy and prevents you from falling into those low energy vibes.
By dedicating even a short amount of time to mindful morning activities, you can significantly improve your ability to take on the day ahead.
And if you’re like me and are not a morning person, a well-crafted routine can be the ultimate wake-up call to help you to get going in the morning.
Simple doesn't mean not effective
I haven’t shared my morning routine because, to be honest, it might seem rather boring because it’s so simple. But then I realized that simplicity has its own charm. My morning routine is quick, straightforward, and still it brings me all the benefits I need.
And let’s face it, I’m not exactly a morning person. If I had an intricate routine planned, I’d probably end up skipping it altogether.
So when creating your own morning routine, remember that simplicity doesn’t equate to ineffectiveness. Simplicity is going to be key for most of us in the morning whether it’s because you’re not a morning person or because you’re just limited on time in the morning.
Keeping it simple is often more effective because it’s easier to make it routine!
What makes a morning routine holistic?
The difference between a regular morning routine and a holistic morning routine is that a holistic one is designed to nourish your entire being. If you are new to the term holistic, when we refer to the ‘entire being’ we mean the body, the mind, and the soul or spirit.
Holistic living in itself is an entire topic you can explore but for now, all you need to ask yourself is, “What will nourish my body, mind, and soul in the morning?”
As you might already know from previous content, the body, mind, and soul are all interconnected.
For instance, exercising primarily benefits the physical body, yet your mind also receives benefits from exercise.
Even though all parts are connected, I find the most impactful way to craft your holistic morning routine is to allocate specific activities for each part of you.
This means incorporating an activity to benefit your body, an activity to benefit your mind, and an activity for your soul/spirit.
This approach enhances the mind, body, soul connection within you and sets a strong foundation for the rest of your day. If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry, it’s really not! I incorporate activities for all 3 parts of myself in the morning and it takes me only about 15 minutes.
Should your morning routine be structured?
Your morning routine doesn’t have to be rigidly structured, but if you’re someone like me who struggles in the morning and tends to be more intuitive at night, a bit of structure is helpful.
It’s worth noting that the morning is considered a more masculine time of the day, which explains why having some structure can be particularly effective.
Do you need to do this routine right after you wake up?
Ideally, if you can kickstart your morning routine as soon as you wake up, that’s fantastic.
However, if that’s not possible for you, don’t worry! The point is to make your morning routine work best for you.
For example, my dogs aren’t going to wait around for me to have a zen moment in the morning before they go out. So I take care of them first. I actually blend their morning routine with my own morning routine to save time.
Make this work for your lifestyle, doing so will keep you consistent!
One valuable suggestion to keep in mind is to resist the temptation of reaching for your phone first thing in the morning. Try not to check messages or emails until you’ve successfully completed your morning routine.
How To Craft Your Own Holistic Morning Routine
Now, we’ll delve deeper into the three core elements of a holistic morning routine so that you can learn how to create your own!
I’ll also provide insight by sharing my own morning routine to give you a clearer understanding of how it all comes together.
It’s worth noting that while I’m listing these three parts in a specific order, you have the freedom to arrange them in any order that best suits your personal needs.
1. Nourish Your Soul
First, let’s focus on nurturing the soul or spirit. This can involve engaging in activities such as meditation, chanting mantras, connecting with nature, or practicing some form of energy work. These are just examples, you should choose whatever resonates with you on a soul level.
Meditation can definitely be great in the morning but it might not work for all of us. If, like me, you find it challenging to meditate in the morning due to tiredness, there are alternative approaches to connecting with your soul/spirit.
To nourish my soul in the morning, I choose to connect with the Earth’s energy during my morning routine. And I do this while taking my dogs out.
I step outside and first acknowledge the presence of the sun, even if it’s obscured by clouds.
Then, as my dogs do their thing, I close my eyes and shift my awareness to my feet. I first send my energy down into the Earth. Then, I draw Earth’s energy back up through my feet to the crown of my head. I then take a moment to offer gratitude to Mother Earth and part one of my holistic morning routine is complete!
(If you do try this energy exercise, I suggest standing in mountain pose with the knees slightly bent, spine straight, and shoulders relaxed.)
If energy work isn’t your thing, remember that there are other options such as meditation or simply observing nature for a brief moment. The key is to choose what feels right for you on a soul level.
2. Nourish Your Body
Now, let’s shift our focus to nourishing the body. This step involves doing something that’s good for your body.
This can be eating a nutritious breakfast, drinking a revitalizing beverage, doing some gentle stretching, or, if you’re up for it….maybe working out.
For me, I’m a coffee lover, but I usually don’t reach for it first thing in the morning.
Instead, I prioritize rehydrating my body after waking up. To accomplish this, I opt for a small glass of water.
This is a simple yet effective way to nourish my body in the AM.
Some days I admit I’m quite lazy and stick to plain water. Other days, especially as the weather gets colder, I indulge in a cup of warm water with lemon.
So as you can see again, you don’t need to do something that’s super time consuming.
I also personally save time by caring for my mind while drinking my water to care for my body.
3. Nourish Your Mind
Now, the final aspect to address in your holistic morning routine is to find an activity to nurture your mind. This entails engaging in activities that support your mental well-being.
You can do something as simple as expressing gratitude for a few things to cultivate a positive mindset for the day. Another idea is to take time to explore a subject that piques your interest, perhaps through a podcast. Or, maybe you choose to read something up-lifting.
In my case, as I care for my body by drinking my water, I combine it with a mind-nurturing practice. I take a moment to read a few pages from one of the books I’m currently exploring. The book I’ve been delving into during my morning routine lately is about gardening and foraging. I read a little, learn a little, and with that, my holistic morning routine is complete and I’m ready for the day ahead.
When crafting your own holistic morning routine, choose one activity for your body, one for your mind, and one for your spirit.
You might be thinking that this sounds complex, but in reality, my entire routine takes just about 15 minutes. If I opt for regular water instead of hot water with lemon, it’s even quicker.
When creating your own holistic morning routine, remember to select one activity for your body, one for your mind, and one for your soul. For me, it’s connecting with the Earth’s energy, having a small glass of water, and reading a bit from a book. It’s super simple yet still effective.
If you find it helpful to have a checklist to keep you on track, I offer a free holistic living checklist that you can easily download.
This checklist serves as a useful tool to help you transition towards a more holistic way of living. Click here to access your free download.
May our holistic morning routines help us savor each morning a little bit more.
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