The best morning routine: How it can set the stage for your ideal day

image by simeon schatz photography
If you are like me you have a lot of things to balance in your life:

• your work
• your home
• your family
• your cell phone

Of course, that is the abbreviated version...

But, you do wonder how you will get it all done, not necessarily on time but at all! And, if possible, you wonder how to remain sane in the process. 

I have some good news. There is a way to maintain a balanced life and be at peace... 

Start out your morning routine right.  

Meditation. Meditate to get centered. If a meditation practice is not a part of your life, simply choose a quiet spot in your house and close your eyes. Try to find stillness in your mind. Breathe lightly and look inside yourself as if you have a view of a new world. 

While still in meditation, or awake looking at your morning email, keep looking at the chaos that you may view until it slows down. Show it who is boss. See it as a teacher and find the gems hidden in its craziness.  Sometimes the next step on your path—even in a morning—is easier to see as a juxtaposition against what appears to be out of order.

My favorite morning meditation is in motion in early morning Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga practice.

While here in this moment, form an intention for your day even if it is as simple as: I will make the best to-do list of my life! 

Caffeine. If you must have caffeine in the morning, ingest it in small doses. Caffeine does not make you more clear-headed and productive if you have too much. If you wonder if you have formed a bad habit with caffeine and cannot do without it, try this: drink one cup, followed by water or caffeine-free tea. Maybe it is just the act of drinking this warm morning beverage that you need. 

Yoga or hiking. Staying in your little world of chaos is not good though. Moving your body and venturing away from it all are important. Leave the house or office! Form a yoga routine or hiking routine. Practice for at least 20 minutes, but preferably one hour. Eventually, this part of your morning (even if late morning) routine will become like food and you will not be able to imagine your morning without it.

Drinking water.  Drink water all day. Add lemon to it to alkalinize your body. [As I write this I realize that my one cup of coffee is at its end and it's time for some water myself! But first I will pick a fresh lemon from my tree.] 

To-do list. Create your to-do list for the day by going through email, postal mail, and/or viewing your online calendar. If you do not have your calendar online, this is something that may help you, especially if you can sync it between a device at home and a mobile device you bring with you wherever you go.

Prioritize what needs to get done today and what has a time commitment. Plan to get started today. Save a portion of your day for time-consuming, long-term, low priority tasks (such as QuickBooks data entry) for your low energy time of day, maybe late afternoon. Create a pile by the door for what needs to get out the door.

Make sure you are on top of your schedule for the day. Have your schedule with you when you leave the house. 

You-time as an appointment. Make sure that you set aside time for you, as if it were an important appointment on your calendar! I cannot stress this enough. This includes exercise, alone time, reading a novel, cooking, taking a relaxing bath, etc... 

Children. If you have children to get ready for school in the morning or for another activity, and they are at an appropriate age, try to make them as responsible as possible for their own belongings and morning duties. Teach them early in life to be somewhat independent (i.e., learning the beginnings of what you are now learning as an adult) so that some of it seeps into their growth as individuals. 

Perfect Working Space. Make sure that you have a comfortable working space such as the perfect office chair, or sit on the ground at a low table in lotus yoga position! Remember to get up often to stretch your body, mind and soul, paying close attention to relieving your body from extra strain that can build up without your knowing it if you are focusing on one task for too long. 

Food. Save your largest meal of the day for the afternoon. Remember, after eating you will be a little sluggish. In the evening, eat lightly or as Cheryl Sindell says, "eat only when the sun is out".

Sleeping soundly. Toward your bedtime, listen to music that helps you wind down and lower the lights. If you watch tv, do it before the music, never falling asleep for the night with tv on which creates too much chaos for your brain.

Bring your day full circle by meditating before going to sleep. Sit still, and feel the energy of the moment, preparing your mind and body for the dream state.

Sleep well.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting

Comments

[the secret of breath « m]

[...] working a busy day, living a stressful moment at home, or feeling anxiously happy, this will be like transporting [...]

[robin]

thanks, Janice Rafael (http://twitter.com/#!/JaniceRafael) for featuring me in your daily newsletter yesterday on twitter.. i appreciate it. i'm glad this information inspired you too and that you have passed it along.

[robin]

Thanks, @MikeClayton01 (Twitter) for featuring my article in your daily newsletter! Glad you enjoyed...