This article first appeared in purely elizabeth‘s Purely Summer magazine.
How you start your morning sets the tone and intention for the rest of your day. I’m such a morning person that I often wish that my days were made up entirely of mornings. It’s when I’m most productive and focused. Whether you do 10 things in the morning or just one, having a consistent morning routine can make or break your day.
These are the six things I do every morning to get my day started on a healthy track:
One/ Drink hot water with lemon and apple cider vinegar – this tonic of alkalizing lemon and apple cider vinegar is a small but effective way for me to hit the reset button every morning. It helps to cleanse my system and because I’m not a coffee drinker, it offers something warm and comforting to sip on as I wake up.
Two/ Meditate – I spend some time meditating every morning. Ten minutes is all I need. I either sit in silence and set a timer on my phone or choose a guided meditation. I notice a vast difference in how I approach my day once I’ve given myself this time to clear my head.
Three/ Journal my visions and intentions – While I’m not religious about this one, if I notice my mind is really active during my meditation, I take a few moments to journal stream of consciousness about what’s coming up for me or my intentions for the day.
Four/ Start with movement – After 45 minutes to an hour of alone time with my meditation, morning tonic and pre-workout snack, I hit the gym. I must start my day with exercise because the endorphins energize me and lift my spirits. How I exercise depends on what my body needs – I switch it up with cardio, strength-training or yoga.
Five/ Eat a nutritious breakfast – My favorite meal of the day! Breakfast always consists of protein, fiber and healthy fat whether it’s eggs, a protein shake or smoothie bowl or chia pudding. Again, my breakfasts vary depending on what my body is craving.
Six/ Prioritize my to-do list – Once I’m properly fueled, hydrated and energized, I survey my to-do list and decide what takes center stage that day. I’m always more focused in the morning, so I tackle the most important and urgent tasks then.
Everybody’s morning routine is different. Nothing is ever set in stone. If something no longer serves me, I let it go or replace it with something else. If I’m on vacation, a few of these things may not happen and that’s ok. It’s important to honor what works for you and only you.
Your turn: Tell me what your morning routine looks like! What’s one thing you can’t start your day without?
If you’re ready to finally feel freedom from food and fad diets, check out my book, Your Holistically Hot Transformation: Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle Free of Dieting, Confusion and Self-Judgment and/or schedule a complimentary Freedom From Fad Diets Mini-Session with me.
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