They say how you start your day is how you live your day, and how you live your day is how you live your life. If that’s true, then the way we begin each morning is crucial to the kind of life we want to create. Experts agree that having a morning routine or ritual can significantly benefit both mental and physical health. But since everyone is different, each of us can benefit from habits tailored to our unique needs.
Our bodies have evolved to suit different natural rhythms. Some of us are night owls, while others are early birds. This dates back thousands of years, when early risers would hunt and gather while night owls stayed up to protect the tribe. Studies even show that these sleep patterns are embedded in our genes. So the idea that everyone should wake up early and stick to a 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t feel fair to me.
One of the beautiful things about humanity is that, while we’re all part of the same bigger picture, our details are different. These differences make us individuals, and the harmony of these contrasts creates a wholesome society. So whether your morning starts at 4 AM or 11 AM, the key is to wake up at a time that feels good to you and sets you up for an efficient and fulfilling day.
Some people love waking up to the sound of city traffic, the energy of people rushing around, and the smell of the urban landscape. Others prefer the sound of birds, the warmth of sunlight, or the gentle patter of rain. In today’s world, many of us don’t have full control over when or how we wake up, but that shouldn’t affect the way we start our day.
Experiment with different morning routines until you find what works best for you. The routines that energise you in the winter might feel less effective in the summer, and that’s okay. The important thing is to understand yourself, discover what works, and put in the effort to maintain those habits.
To give you an example, here’s my morning ritual. It might inspire you, or it might be the last thing you’d want to do. The key is to find what feels right for you:
07:00 AM: I wake up to BBC Radio 3, letting classical music fill the room for about 15-20 minutes. The first thing I do is kiss or pet my dog, Luna, who’s usually snoozing on the other pillow. I get up, open the shutters to let in some natural light, and make the bed. Then I clean my tongue, wash my face, change into my workout gear, and tidy up around the house if needed (like emptying the dishwasher).
07:30 AM: I take Luna out for a quick 5-minute walk. After that, I eat a handful of mixed greens with olive oil and vinaigrette, prepare my chia bowl, brush my teeth, and feed Luna.
08:00 AM: I hit the gym for an hour to an hour and a half.
09:30 AM: I take Luna out for a longer walk.
10:00 AM: After a shower and a fuller breakfast, I’m ready to start working.
10:30 PM: Work time!
I adjust this routine day by day—sometimes I start earlier, sometimes later. If it’s raining (Luna hates getting wet), we skip the long walk. And as a self-employed person, I have the flexibility to start work at noon most days. But I’ve found that when I follow this routine, I have a smile on my face and feel good about the day ahead.
Your morning ritual could be as simple as making the bed and washing your face, or as elaborate as breathing exercises, reading, skincare, or dancing. The important thing is to find what works for you, because when you start your day with self-care and intention, the outside world has less power over your peace of mind.
One final note: your morning starts the night before. I’ve learned that when I fall asleep on the couch in front of the TV, I wake up feeling groggy. So when I’m tired, I plug my phone in the kitchen (keeping it out of the bedroom has been a game-changer), wash up, and get ready for bed. Then I wind down with a book. When I stick to this nighttime routine, I sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed—most of the time, at least!
What about you? Do you have a morning routine ? If you do what’s one thing you love about your morning routine or what’s something you’d like to change? Feel free to share what works for you or what you wish you could do. Let’s open our eyes to better days, one morning habit at a time.
Here are few products that help me with my morning routine:
Ayurvedic Tongue Scraper by Urban Veda:
Radio Alarm Clock by Roberts Radio:
Cruelty-Free Silk Pillowcase by Ethical Kind:
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