Now that the world is opening back up, it can be difficult to shift back to our normal routines. While some people are still nervous to be in public, others are ready to mingle and meet new friends. Regardless of where you stand on the spectrum it is still important to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Morning routine
How you start your day will determine the kind of day you will have. Although we all love to sleep in, waking up early gives us time to focus on ourselves and not rush while getting ready.
As you rise, drinking water is recommended. Our bodies are very dehydrated, we just experienced 8 hours of no food or water. Drinking water will stimulate your body and give you the energy you need for your routine. Incorporating movement is very important as well, whether you like to go for a run, hit the gym or, my favorite, enjoy a relaxing Yoga, Tai Chi, or Chi Gong session. Movement gets our hearts pumping and our blood circulating, which gives us good energy boosts.
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so let’s start with a wholesome meal. What you consume first will determine your eating patterns, so starting with a water-based meal is helpful. Pay attention to your body and eat a meal that you personally find energizing. Each person has different dietary needs and food is not the place to be a lemming. If a meal makes you feel sluggish, then change to something else.
Lastly, some people find it important to set an intention for the day. You may write down your goals, create a to do list and make any notes of how you would like to experience your day. This will feed information to your brain and will may make you feel inspired to complete these tasks. The list can also be a good reminder throughout the day to keep you on track. Having a morning routine can be beneficial to having a productive day. It’s important to have a routine that works for you. I gave up making lists when I suffered migraines from not being able to get through my lists. Those lists went out the window and my health improved. Routines help you stay in alignment with your goals and provide yourself with love, putting you in a better mood. I start each day by writing in a gratitude journal. I start every morning by writing, “I am so grateful for . . .”
Throughout the day
We all know our days can be a bit hectic but taking mental breaks helps keep us energized and motivated. After lunch is a really good time to go for a walk or to sit outside. Keeping our bodies moving and getting energy from the sun is a really powerful energy booster. If you can, take off your shoes and walk in the grass for a few minutes. By the way, if you replace your rubber-soled shoes with leather-soled shoes, you get better energy from the earth. Contact with the sun and earth allows our body to stay grounded and get back into alignment. It is also a mental check-in with yourself.
It is really easy to get caught up in the mundane minutia of our everyday lives. But these simple changes throughout the day can make a huge difference in your mental and physical health. They can make you more self-aware and give you more personal time. We don’t realize how draining it can be to provide for others all day. Although I am sure we love to support our friends and families we cannot provide for them if we cannot provide for ourselves first.
Nighttime routine
Just like a morning routine, a nighttime routine is just as important. Although we are asleep, our bodies and our brains are still activated. In order to have a good morning routine we must treat our bodies with the same love before bed.
To begin, eat your last meal around 6-8pm depending on what time you go to bed. Eating too close to bedtime can overwork our bodies while we sleep. It can make us restless and increase the risk of heartburn, just as going to bed hungry can keep us awake.
Next, begin to wind down by taking a shower or washing your face. This will give you a more refreshed feeling which will enhance a more peaceful sleep. After you have cleansed, practice doing some stretches or meditating with essential oils. Some people are energized by stretching. If you are one of those energized-by-stretching people, do something that is more relaxing for you.
Being active all day and experiencing millions of thoughts, makes it essential to relax our bodies and slow our heart rate before we rest. Instead of being on your phone, this is a powerful time to read or journal. We may think our brains are tired from the day, but this is actually a good time to retain information.
Lastly, drink water. It doesn’t have to be a lot as we don’t like to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. But it does help our bodies flush out toxins and stay hydrated while we rest.
Making simple changes throughout your day can improve your life drastically. Change takes time, so be patient with yourself. We don’t change for the present moment, we change for the long-term expectation of a better life. Remember to listen to your body, give yourself grace and pour all the love you need into yourself. Stand in front of your mirror, smile and say aloud, “I AM enough!”
