Practice Makes Perfect

Pause right here...close your eyes, take a deep breath in through your nose, and a big sigh to let it all out. While staying aware of your inhales and exhales, and I want you to think of your perfect morning. The one that has you feeling energized and excited, and ready to take on the day ahead. What activities does it include? Who is with you (if anyone)? Where are you (if not at home)? Hear, smell, taste, and feel into this wonderful start to your day.

Now open your eyes. Write down what came to you. Maybe it was many of the same things you do now, a nice hot cup of coffee, a walk around the block, or reading a few pages of your favorite new book. Or maybe, what you envisioned was filled with the things you would like to do each morning. How does your ideal morning compare to your current morning "routine"?

I want to help you discover how to optimize your time and incorporate some of the best morning practices to take your routine to ritual, and empower you for your day!

Allow me share a few of the most beneficial practices you can add to your mornings.

Attitude of gratitude

Immediately upon waking, I challenge you to think of 3 things you are grateful for. It can be any person, place, experience, thing, or feeling. You can visualize these things or keep a gratitude journal next to your bed. Thinking of something that brings you peace or joy every morning will ensure a harmonious start to your day, and remind you of all the beauty in your life when things don't always go "your way". Why not start right now? Share them on social media and tag me in your post, I would love to flood that space with positive energy!

Get flowing, get going

After (hopefully) 7+ hours of sleep, there are a few things that will help your body (and bowels) get moving! It has been quite a long time since you drank any water at this point, so starting your day hydrated is KEY to brain and body function alike. Try to guzzle 16-20 0z (depending on your tolerance) in the few minutes after rising. Not only will your mind sharpen, increasing cognitive abilities, your joints and internal tissues will thank you. And an added bonus, this early a.m. aqua will awaken your digestive system, and help you eliminate what's weighing you down (if you catch my drift), setting you up for optimal gut function all day long. For more on the importance of hydration, click the link below!

https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/your-hydration-information-station

Might as well jump

Along with being a catchy Van Halen song, its also a super beneficial morning practice.

Jumping in place or bouncing up and down is a perfect way to get your lymph fluid in motion. At this point you have been horizontal and your organs at rest, so moving your body up and down will act as a pump to start the circulation process of all your bodily fluids, including lymph. Lymph fluid is responsible for removing toxins from all areas of the body, so its super important to keep it moving. By bouncing or jumping in place (or on a rebounder like the one linked here! https://www.amazon.com/KOKSRY-Trampoline-Exercise-Rebounder-Max-Load/dp/B08CDNKJPJ/ref=asc_df_B08CDNKJPJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459505522012&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=538429381928246619&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9057561&hvtargid=pla-944858434271&psc=1 ) you will help lubricate your joints, improve your blood circulation, and awaken all of your internal organs. Plus, its fun, so smile!

Mindful moments

I am a huge supporter of daily meditation. Studies have shown even a 3-5 minute session can improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and induce clarity, focus, and intuitive connection. Today, we have so many amazing tools at our fingertips to help you begin or strengthen your meditation practice. You can choose to listen to peaceful, calming music, go outdoors and listen to the sounds of nature, or download one of the many apps that include guided meditations by some of the best mindfulness teachers in the world.

With any new skill, you must continue to show up in order to improve. Start small, and choose what feels most natural to you. Once you've created this powerful habit and begin to see the benefits, you can add time, try it in silence, or add another session to your day.

Exercise and sunny skies

Did you know even a short walk outside in the morning helps reduce cortisol levels significantly? Cortisol is the stress hormone, and its levels naturally elevate in the early morning signaling your body to wake up. However, chronically high levels of this "fight or flight" hormone can lead to weight gain, anxiety, other hormonal imbalances (which trigger many internal disfunctions and diseases), and Cushing syndrome. Walking in the morning not only helps lower cortisol, but if you take those steps outdoors, you get the added benefit of absorbing negative ions. These floating molecules exist in nature and have been proven to produce biochemical reactions in the bloodstream that increase serotonin (the happy hormone), helping to alleviate depression symptoms and boost energy levels. Take a stroll at sunrise and feel good all day long!

One last thing...

The KEY to a successful morning ritual, is to prepare the night before! Set your coffee pot to brew, lay out your clothes, pack lunches, and tidy up your space. That way when you wake up you can focus on moving intentionally through each practice, without feeling rushed. And that just inspired me to share my night time, pre-bed best practices (coming soon).

These are only a few of a variety of ways to start each day beautifully. Whether you do them all or choose just one for now, practice makes perfect, so keep up with your morning rituals and acknowledge all the incredible benefits, mental and physical. Each small step you make toward a healthier lifestyle is progress, so keep learning, growing, and applying because you deserve a life filled with health and happiness! Need more guidance and tools to get going or hit refresh on your routine? My 30 day Thrive plan is the perfect outline to simplify and streamline these beneficial practices; plus brand new nutritious recipes, along with a meal plan & grocery guide AND incredible workouts to sculpt and strengthen & easy to follow exercise calendar. Get the plan TODAY and get ready to Thrive!(Click below)

https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/product-page/thrive