I peel my eyelids open as the sound of “marimba” chimes from underneath my pillow.
Like clockwork, I check in on all social media accounts, read MorningScene, breaking news stories and make sure my pregnant Tamagotchi is taking its prenatal vitamins. In that order.
I then stare at my curtains doing a “B minus” job of holding back the new day’s sunlight, reflect on the “Bob’s Burgers” episode my roommates and I watched last night and avoid eye contact with the crusty remains of Chipotle on my desk from yesterday’s DM fundraiser. (It’s for the kids, okay?)
Rise and shine. I must get my mind right before I jump into this day.
Most of us don’t dive into our days as fluidly as we might like. Some of us belly flop, others are pushed in when we least expect it, and those remaining few attempt a swan dive but realize half a second too late that it’s the shallow end and wind up with permanent cranial trauma.
From the first day of kind-e-garden, our species has gone through a morning routine in attempt to keep all chaos at bay. But as we barrel down the tracks toward adulthood, the person cutting the crust off of our peanut butter and fluffs took a leave of absence. In this absence, we find ourselves kicking off our days in whatever fashion suits us best. Burrito for breakfast? Sure thing. Sleep till 3:30? Even better.
I’m here to break some crucial news to this generation: a morning routine still matters. What I’m saying is this: spend 15 minutes with yourself, your body and your mind every single morning, and I’m not kitten you, your entire day will be teed off in the direction of fuck yes.
Do a chore. Make Mom proud.
I start the day by making my bed because I read an article one time about the correlation between a happy existence and doing chores. Additionally noted in Charles Duhigg’s book “Power of Habit,” “making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget.” Fascinating.
If you aren’t jazzed about fluffing pillows, you can engage in a variety of other chores. Swiffer that floor, Windex those questionable stains on the mirror or simply lick up the crumbs on your kitchen counter. It doesn’t have to be extensive, but damn it feels good to tidy up in some way or another. And when you’re down and out about the finance equation that you simply can’t wrap your head around, gaze toward your perfectly manicured bed or that pile of delicately ironed underwear and smile.
You’ve done something right today.
Drink productive fluids.
When we wake from our nightly slumber, it is important to note that we have just forgone the consumption of any substance for 6 to 8 hours. Scientifically stated, you’re thirsty as hell and your body could use a pick me up.
This doesn’t mean swinging by Starbucks for a large cup of cinnamon dolce syrup. A productive fluid can mean anything that is going to start your day off on a refreshing track whilst rehydrating your bod, sans the sugar. A fluid we all could use a bit more of is a fat glass of H2O. Water in the morning does a body wonders by firing up the metabolism and flushing out the previous day’s toxins. If you’re feeling freaky, add some mint, lemon, rosemary, or cucumber to spice up the mix.
Beyond water, you might enjoy some black coffee or some unsweetened Tazo tea. The options are endless but remember to steer clear of added sugar, we get enough of that shit throughout the remainder of the day. My personal preference is green tea with peppermint. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine (an amino acid found in green tea) has wildly synergistic effects. The pair do a particularly great job at improving brain function among other things.
Slurp on, pirates.
Do some yoga. Even if you suck at it.
In the same time it takes your cells to become dehydrated during the night, the blood in your body also circulates more slowly as you lay delightfully dreaming. Instead of wearing a brown sock for the rest of your days, roll out of your bed and onto the floor. That’s right. Grab a towel or your Targé yoga mat and give your body the stretch and revival it so desires.
Starting with a deep breath, I put my legs together and lean forward, reaching toward my feet, feeling the tension release in my hamstrings. I continue with my legs open leaning to the left and then to the right as my joints cracking happily. As I continue to stretch, I drift to a yogi’s paradise filled with gongs and incense. My muscles loosen and I can feel my body slowly reviving as I bend and twist.
You don’t have to be a lotus floating dragonfly to give your body the satisfying stretch it’s looking for. Here are a few stretch guides to get you on your way or to expand your existing contortion repertoire.
Ah, I can smell the essential oils already.
Do some breathing. The mindful kind.
After satiating your tense muscles, move to some breathing exercises. Don’t freak out, I’m not going to make you follow me into the redwoods and force you to eat Hare Krishna lunch (although it’s quite literally divine), however I do believe there is room for everyone to find their goldilocks niche on the spectrum of mindfulness.
As a beginner myself, I haven’t yet harnessed the constant chatter of my unruly mind, but I use a few applications and infographics to get my mind right. Remember, you don’t have to be Gandhi to reap some practical or spiritual benefits from a little time spent decluttering the proverbial junk drawer.
Try HeadSpace or peep this nifty Soul Sesh infographic to get started.
Write things down. Grateful things.
Finish the routine by grabbing an old notebook or a few pieces of scratch paper. Deem these papers your “Daily Grates.” (Terrible play on words, but who’s counting?).
Begin by writing down a few messages expressing some gratitude. According to a recent study, expressing gratitude is linked to a multitude of positive side effects. Those that regularly share their appreciation are said to be more empathetic, self confident and mentally sharp.
To give a few examples, I begin this exercise by sharing my appreciation of an old friend that called me to catch up, to my roommate for cleaning up the spilled mound of baked beans from the kitchen floor last night and to my mom for shipping me me a lifetime supply of postage stamps. Whether I give these people the messages or not is secondary; it just simply feels good to write down the things for which I am thankful.
When you find yourself wallowing in a moment of first-world pity, flip through this heap of paper and see how overwhelmingly lucky you truly are.
~
Conclusion: The routine wasted 15 entire minutes of your day and you feel like shit about it. Please pass the donuts.
Correction: You were entranced for 15 minutes in spiritual ecstasy and were reborn through the birth canal of serenity. Please pass the Kombucha.
More realistic conclusion:
After the routine, this Type A lunatic feels refreshed, rejuvenated, and dare I say it, centered.
Spend 15 mindful minutes taking care of yourself and establishing a pace for the day. It is entirely underestimated how remarkable giving yourself these few minutes each day can be.
So go on, avoid the impending belly flop, give yourself a dose of well deserved lovin’ and kick off the morning right. (Burritos still welcomed.)
Photos courtesy of: UnSplash
