Hello! I hope you're all doing well out there.
Since our quarantine lives have began, we've all had to adapt our routines to our new normal. I'll be honest, at first I was full of anxiety, restlessness, and overall just unsettled. While I still allow myself to feel those feelings, now I'm trying to take a more positive approach to things with each new day. It's been nice to catch up with friends via video chats when normally everyone is too busy. It's been fun baking and cooking with the kids regularly. I've enjoyed family workouts and bike rides more often. Most of all, I'm grateful that all of my family, near and far, have stayed safe and healthy through all of this. This change of pace has helped shed light on what's really important, what's needed and what's really just noise. Don't get me wrong, as soon as outside is open again, I'll be out there (with bells on, oh and a mask, lol!) but until then...I'm choosing to look on the bright side of things.
With that being said I wanted to share one thing that has really helped me stay sane throughout this whole quarantine and that is establishing a routine - a morning routine to be specific. At the beginning of 2020 I committed to being more intentional with my time. One of the ways to do this was to create a morning routine. Then the pandemic hit and I threw my morning routine to the side at first. With all the stress and anxiety this situation has brought about, I decided I at least needed to get back to somewhat of a routine somewhere during the day. I figured the best place to start was to get my mornings back and set the tone for the day. I've found this to be essential to my mental health. It's something I look forward to, it's my time. I wanted to share my morning routine and hopefully this will give you some ideas or a little motivation to get your day started in a more positive way!
Wake up around the same time consistently!
Wake up around the same time consistently!
I've found it's so important for me to wake up around the same time every morning. My kids still have online school everyday and I, like many, have been working from home. This has all definitely helped me keep to a routine. I like to get up before my kids in the mornings to have some time to myself. Since my youngest two are early risers this means I usually have to wake up pretty early most days. I'm not a morning person by nature so one thing that has been very helpful for me is to not sleep with the phone directly next to my bed. I put it on the charger on the other side of my room. I do this so when my alarm goes off I have to get out of the bed to turn it off. Once I do this, I have to choose whether to get back in the bed or just stay up. Most of the time I just stay up since I'm already up. This also prevents me from grabbing my phone and scrolling through social media first thing while in the bed.
Hydrate and Get Moving!
Next, I change into my workout clothes while I'm drinking water. I've been putting these out the night before so it's a grab and go situation. The more time I have to think in the mornings, there's more of a chance I'll talk myself out of working out or I'll get occupied with something else. I like to workout early to get it out of the way. If you're not a morning workout person, you could just meditate or do some light stretching during this time (I stretch on my off days from workouts). If the weather is nice, a quick stroll around the block will work as well.
Meditate/Express Gratitude
This has been such an essential step to my mornings! I like to do this after my workout because like I said if I take too long to work out it may not happen. I also usually mix in some stretching with my meditation which is exactly what I need after a workout. Expressing gratitude is a game changer. It's so easy to get caught up on what is wrong that we often forget about what is right!
I like to write this down with pen and paper as well (using my phone often will lead to me getting distracted). For example, I'll write down, I'm thankful for time with my family, I'm thankful for a home and food to eat, etc.
I know for many this has been a hard time, so this step can be as easy as just expressing your gratitude for the breaths you are taking! Start simple and more will come!
This is also the time where I set my intentions and goals for the day. Again, I like to write it down. I like to see it and re-read as necessary as well. Our words are so powerful!
If meditation or setting intentions is new to you, there are so many YouTube videos with guided meditations that can help you get started.
Meditate/Express Gratitude
This has been such an essential step to my mornings! I like to do this after my workout because like I said if I take too long to work out it may not happen. I also usually mix in some stretching with my meditation which is exactly what I need after a workout. Expressing gratitude is a game changer. It's so easy to get caught up on what is wrong that we often forget about what is right!
I like to write this down with pen and paper as well (using my phone often will lead to me getting distracted). For example, I'll write down, I'm thankful for time with my family, I'm thankful for a home and food to eat, etc.
I know for many this has been a hard time, so this step can be as easy as just expressing your gratitude for the breaths you are taking! Start simple and more will come!
This is also the time where I set my intentions and goals for the day. Again, I like to write it down. I like to see it and re-read as necessary as well. Our words are so powerful!
If meditation or setting intentions is new to you, there are so many YouTube videos with guided meditations that can help you get started.
Get Dressed
Once I'm done meditating, I get dressed, in loungewear, but dressed nonetheless. I wrote a post about Loungewear Here with some of my favorite loungewear picks as well if you need some ideas! This is key to feeling productive and ready for the day. It helps the transition to work mode much easier for me.
Don't neglect Health
After I've dressed, I head downstairs and make my morning glow/immunity tonic. Now is not the time to slack on our health, it's so important to keep our immune systems going.
Since it's still been cool outside I usually make this into a tea. Here's the recipe
1/2 lemon
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar ( I use Braggs with the 'Mother')
1 teaspoon Manuka Honey
Hot water
Green tea bag (optional)
I just combine and drink as a tea. I drink this before my coffee in the mornings.
By this time the kids are coming downstairs and it's time for me to really start my day! I've come to crave this time in the mornings. The days I don't do this because I opt for more sleep, I usually can feel the difference in my day.
How have you been during this quarantine? Have you adopted a new routine or are you just winging it (which is absolutely fine!!)?
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Sarai
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