Morning Rituals: Tips To Start Your Day With Mindfulness
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Morning rituals are different from morning routines. The latter is simply the set of actions you do when you wake up – shower, wash your face, brush your teeth and hair, have breakfast, etc.

A morning ritual, on the other hand, is about a practice or a set of practices that has meaning and value. You create a morning ritual based on your preferences and the goal you pursue with it. Some people do morning rituals to feel energized, others do it to clear their minds, get motivated to tackle the day, etc.

In this article, we discuss the importance of having a morning ritual, and what are some ways to make the mindful start of the day a habit.

The Importance Of Morning Rituals

Morning rituals are not a waste of time. They help you set the tone for the day. No matter what mood you wake up in, you start the day with a routine that you enjoy. Here are the benefits of having a morning routine.

• A positive start to the day
• Improved productivity
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Time for self-regulation
• Enhanced mindfulness

Even if you know you have a lot to do for the day, do spend the first minutes of your day doing your morning ritual. It will give you a sense of having everything under control and will take away the feeling of being underwhelmed.

9 Ways To Create A Mindful Morning Routine

A mindful morning routine is not an extra point on your to-do list. Starting your day mindfully is just as important as any other task you have to tackle throughout the day.
You don’t have to follow the morning ritual of another person who claims that it works amazingly for them. Just on the contrary, you should create a morning mindfulness ritual that works for you – for your preferences, the pace of your life, your goals, etc.

Here are 9 ways to create a mindful morning routine.

1. Meditate
If mornings are pure stress for you because of the annoying sound of the alarm and the rush you are always in, try making meditation a part of your morning ritual.

Meditation boosts your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, improves productivity, enhances focus, increases productivity, etc.

The best part about meditation is that there are different types of meditation practices. You can surely find the type of meditation that is right for you.

2. Do Breathing Exercises
While breathing is our primary impulse, there are days when life is so hectic that we forget to breathe deeply and properly.

Take a few minutes in the morning to do breathing exercises. Breathing exercises raise your awareness and reduce anxiety. They lower heart rate and blood pressure, relax your muscles, improve focus and concentration.

3. Journal
Journaling is an excellent way to start your day if you tend to be in the writing mood when you wake up.
You can write down anything you want – how you are feeling, what are your goals, what are you grateful for, etc. You can do freewriting too and write anything you want for a specified period of time.

4. Stretch
If you are struggling with waking up your body when your mind is already awake, do a few minutes of stretching as a part of your morning ritual.

Stretching helps relieve the tension and stiffness in the body. It improves body circulation and gets you ready for the day.

But it is not only physical benefits that stretching has. It also helps you loosen up emotionally. It helps you release suppressed emotions and start the day in a relieved state.
You can stretch in silence or while listening to your favorite music.

5. Make Yourself a Healthy Breakfast
Healthy food, including a nourishing breakfast and a soothing cup of tea, will provide you with energy for the day. Take your time to make yourself a delicious breakfast and enjoy it in silence, reading your favorite book, listening to music, or a motivational podcast.

Practice mindful eating as a part of a morning ritual. This is a simple mindfulness practice that enhances self-awareness and mental clarity.

6. Use Positive Affirmations
Another great thing to include in your morning ritual is positive affirmations. This is a great way to start your day with a positive mindset.

You can reiterate affirmations for abundance, success, health, and anything you want to direct your energy to. Read more on affirmations here.

7. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude comes with so many positive emotions. It brings happiness, peace, and satisfaction. Why not make it a ritual? Gratitude puts you in a good mood and allows you to start your day with love and kindness.

You can practice gratitude in a few different ways. Think of five things you are grateful for when you wake up. You can also write them down. Thinking of things you are grateful for instead of complaining about what you don’t have will instantly make you feel better emotionally and physically.

8. Schedule Your Day and Set Intentions
Planning your day in the morning can take away the feeling of being overwhelmed by the number of tasks you have to accomplish.

When scheduling your day, don’t forget to set clear intentions. Knowing what you want to achieve that day will give you motivation and enthusiasm to get going.