Summary: Make your morning calmer and start your day right with one or more of these 10 minute morning rituals.
We’re all guilty of it: hitting the snooze button one too many times and then rushing around in the morning just to get out the door on time. But what if your day started differently? What if you took 10 minutes to do something that would start your day in a much more productive and mentally calming way? Starting your morning on the right foot can make a big difference in your mental and physical state for the rest of the day and is worth setting the alarm 10 minutes earlier or just not hitting snooze! Here are five, 10-minute rituals that can help you introduce some calm into your morning and set yourself up for a better day.
- Meditation has become all the rage these days with so many apps available to guide people new to the practice, but it’s been around for centuries for good reason. Take 10 minutes to either go through a guided meditation or sit on your own and focus on your breathing. Starting your day with this calming ritual will set up your mind to be more present during the day.
- I’m not talking about your favorite romance novel for this one. Find an inspiring book, or even your Bible, and take 10 minutes each morning to read, take notes, highlight, and reflect. If you do this every single morning you’ll be amazed at the knowledge and information you’ll learn over a few weeks, but you’ll also be starting your day by doing something positive for yourself. Here are some great examples of what to grab.
- Write. Journaling whatever is on your mind can be a great way to start your day. Set the timer for 10 minutes and either handwrite or type out whatever is on your mind. Start with “I am feeling…” and then just go with the flow. Let out whatever is on your mind, especially anything bothering you, and you’ll usually find yourself realizing that these thoughts aren’t usually the truth. This allows you to release them and move forward with your day.
- Stretch. Movement is such a good way to wake up your body in the morning, but a lot of people don’t want to get up early enough for a full workout. If this is you, take 10 minutes each morning to stretch or even dance around. Put on your favorite song and just get moving to wake up your body and mind.
- Connect. Whether you live with others or on your own, connecting with people you love in the morning can really improve your mood. If you live with your significant other or child, take 10 minutes in the morning to talk or even say affirmations like “I am feeling confident and positive,” or simply “Today is going to be a good day.” If you live alone, send a friend a positive, uplifting text in the morning – you’ll make their day!