February 15, 2019 | Categories: Health
If your morning routine is a rush of blaring alarms, coffee on the go, traffic jams and all-out chaos, you’re probably not starting off your workday feeling as cheerful and relaxed as you could be. Here, happiness experts, authors, and fitness professionals share the morning routines they follow each day to feel energized, productive, and happier all day. Steal their habits tomorrow for a better day!
“Don’t go on your computer to answer e-mails or check social media until after a certain time of the day. My rule of thumb is to stay off of the Internet until 11 a.m. Instead, I spend my morning reading spiritual materials and then meditating for 15 minutes. I follow that up with rowing and taking my dogs for a 15 to 20 minute walk. Finally, I spend time in the garden, which is my greatest pleasure.” – Fran Sorin, author of Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening
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I do my morning meditation upon awakening. I’ve found if I don’t do it then, it doesn’t get done, as the busy day begins to fill in the minutes and hours. I begin by slowly repeating, ‘I breathe deeply… and completely…’ I repeat the phrase over and over, inhaling slowly as I say, “I breathe deeply,” and I hold the breath a few seconds and then slowly exhale with the “and completely.” I was taught this relaxation technique in my first experience with meditation many years ago. I was always so surprised at how the meditation practice could quiet my rapid, firecracker mind, allowing me to truly relax and enter a different level of consciousness.” – Peg Conley, author of Imagine the Life You’d Love to Live then Live It
“Every morning between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m., I use either an elliptical or treadmill machine in my condominium gym. I breathe in through the nose for four seconds and breathe out through the mouth for four seconds during the 30-minute cycle. It is a mindfulness and meditative movement. The results are always immediate. One caveat you must be consistent and follow through every day. Your brain output and overall energy levels will soar long after your session.” – Mark Solo, San Francisco based Conditioning Coach
“I love to wake up sans alarm, which means going to bed at a decent hour. This has been quite difficult with an infant but my normal routine is to go to bed around 9:30-10 p.m. and rise around 5:45 – 6:00 a.m. I have a cup of organic fair trade coffee with a bowl of flax cereal. While eating, I love to scroll through positive quotes on Pinterest, read some excerpts from motivational business books, and flip through my current favorite cookbook, Clean Slate. I’ll use this time to think about the next few days’ schedule, like when I’ll exercise, if there has been a shift in client appointments, and when I’ll fit in a trip to the grocery store. Doing this helps me feel organized for the day, so my brain isn’t scattered or wondering where/when I may have a gap of time, or if I’m missing anything. Before actually walking out the door I’ll always kiss my husband and son.” – Melissa Paris, NASM personal trainer in New York City
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“Every morning, I begin my day scrolling through my email for the ‘Word for the Day’ from Gratefulness.org. I reflect on the quote as it sets my intention for the day. Then I try to set out on a walk with my dogs on the bike path near my home, soaking in the sun rising and the quiet before the world comes alive around me. I spend that time with no cell phone, just in quiet reflection of the gifts I am grateful for. By 8 a.m. I’m energized and excited about the day ahead.” – Mary Beth Sammons, co-author (with Nina Lesowitz) of The Grateful Life: The Secret to Happiness and the Science of Contentment
“Before leaving my house, I write down three to five intentions for the day. How do I want to act? What do I want to accomplish? What do I want to experience? Setting the intention for what we want places it front and center in our minds. Then throughout the day, I check in and see how I’m progressing.” – Melissa Heisler, author of From Type A to Type Me: How to Stop “Doing” Life and Start Living It
Go on a gratitude run! For the duration of your run, repeat a mantra that starts with, “I am grateful for ___.” Gratitude shifts your perspective from what you don’t have to what you do and helps you feel better. You attract more ‘good” into your life and maybe even a miracle or two!” – Carrie Roldan, author of Run Yourself Happy
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