Rituals are different from routines. Routines are something we do repeatedly, like going to work or cleaning the house. Rituals have meaning and purpose. The beautiful thing about rituals are they are unique and meaningful to you. I like to think of rituals as the time for me to pause from my day-to-day routines and demands of life. Morning rituals not only set the tone and mood for the day, but ignite pleasure. For me, finding pleasure in the small things, helps me to feel grateful and grounded in the present moment.

I like to start my day when the sun does, at 6:00am. It can be difficult to resist the urge to roll over and go back to sleep, but I would encourage you to use this added time to start your day with conscious meaning and purpose. I wasn’t always an early riser, but it is now the time of day I cherish the most. If the thought of rising at 6:00am is unpleasant, start slowly and gradually wake up 30 minutes earlier. Of course, allowing yourself to go to bed earlier in the evenings will help immensely.

Rituals to start your day:

1. Mindfulness

I used to start my day by mindlessly scrolling through social media. I like social media at times, but first thing in the morning it makes me feel anxious, lying in bed with no awareness of the time that has ticked past. I start my day with my phone out of reach, which allows me to focus my attention to my breath, the inhale and exhale. Breathwork exercises only take a few minutes, which is enough for me to become grounded and present.

2. Gratitude

I am guilty of allowing my mind to create a narrative for the day as soon as I wake up. But, to avoid focussing on my to-do list, which at times can feel endless, I take a moment to read a positive affirmation. I am prompted in this moment to consciously consider and recognise what I am grateful for. The visualisation of what I am grateful for each day inspires a positive and open mindset, which can influence how I present and choose to respond and act throughout the day.

3. Meditation

I use the next twenty minutes of my day to centre my mind through meditation. I like Vedic meditation, which is an ancient mantra meditation that has been around for thousands of years. The meditation that is right for you will energise your mind and body and release stress. Vedic meditation resonates with me because it keeps my mind and body alert. I like this part of my day best to connect with myself, my feeling and sensations.

4. Movement

There is nothing I like more than walking and seeing the sunrise. Find the movement activity that allows you to feel energised. It might be walking like me, or stretching, yoga or simple conscious acts, such as making your bed. Walking helps the body release feel-good endorphins. I am grateful to live by the ocean, and that combined with feel-good endorphins brings me a lot of pleasure.

5. Nourishment

Nourishment could be considered a routine. But, as someone, who use to grab a coffee on the go, the act of making breakfast is a ritual for me. I would encourage you to let your intuition guide your breakfast choices. Fuelling your mind and body with something nourishing is so important. My favourite breakfast to prepare is porridge with berries. I like the berries cooked, making them more easily digestible than when raw. I mix in digestive-promoting spices of cinnamon, turmeric and cardamon. I also like to rehydrate before and after my walk. With my breakfast, I have a glass of room temperature water with our In-Flow Period & PMS Relief powder. I prefer a powder supplement as I enjoy the act of preparation to consciously know I am nourishing myself daily.    

It may be that you’d like to start with a one-step morning ritual and add to it. It may be that you skip a morning here and there, like me, which is perfectly fine as we’re all human. Create the morning ritual that is precious to you. Every small act will help you to set your tone and mood in an upward trajectory to seize the day. Rising with the sun might even become the part of the day you cherish the most too.