Bringing back a morning rhythm

Mindset shift and motivation

Being at home consistently has brought back a rhythm I didn’t even realise I was missing. The morning rituals that somehow had fallen by the wayside when there was more travel or commutes, to factor in offers of coffee dates and brunches or last-minute in-person meetings.

My morning ritual these past few months has become so comforting and so good for my mindset that it’s become a rhythm, and even as social isolation is lifted, I will fight to retain it.

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Mindset

Recently I shared something called the Coffee Ritual and how I use my first cup of coffee of the day to reset my mindset and focus, but that is just one element of my morning routine.

I believe in the four pillars of health, and that balance in all four pillars is crucial to our health. They are, of course, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, and for me, they are implemented as follows:

1. Physical — a few stretches first thing in the morning, a backbend and the plank for my back as I sit at the computer all day long

2. Mental — focus my mindset and prepare my perspective for the day ahead while I have my first cup of coffee

3. Emotional — write a few morning pages and get the nonsense and small things out of my head and out of the way

4. Spiritual — a short meditation and deep breathing to reset my intentions before diving into my day

Mindset is affected by all four pillars, and so it is crucial to address each one in my morning. What my morning rhythm has reminded me is that it does not have to be complicated!

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Motivation

Now every morning, instead of addressing these four habits individually or overthinking them, I fall into a rhythm, and it starts before even getting up.

Before my feet even touch the ground

I do a short meditation and take a few deep breaths from bed. I reset my intentions for the day and smile before I leave my bed. Yes, smile. It creates this optimism for the day before I even interact with another living soul!