Starting the day right: Energizing and filling your cup so you can pour-out to others all day long.
How often in life, especially when committing to making healthy changes, have you found yourself wishing you had more time in your day to carve out for exercise, or eating healthy, or even quiet time? Wondering how other challengers fit it in? Do you find yourself reaching the end of the day tired, frazzled, trying to grab some reading or wind down time, but feeling that the to-do list got away from you…again?
I can relate. I’ve been there. As a busy mom of 3 small ones, I knew I had to shift something a few months back, so I looked at changing up my morning routine. I’m a proud and self-proclaimed night owl–it’s when my brain is awake and doing it’s best work…but I also knew that I needed to start the day stronger in order to serve myself and my people–family, business, everything–better!
Find something that deeply motivates you, and consider getting up just a bit earlier in these coming weeks. You never know…it could turn into a lifelong habit! Carving out time for ourselves is one of the best aspects of this of any health program, or challenge that we do together. Self-care is never selfish–instead it pays dividends all day long as we pour the best of our centered selves into children, friends, loved ones, larger communities.
I started this book in April on our VIP vacation with Shaklee in Playa del Carmen…so yes, that’s a pina colada next to it, along with some other essentials;)
The book Miracle Morning is a powerful overview of the lifestyle shift that’s truly possible with some small and mindful changes in routine. I’ll let you dig in and enjoy it, but for now, I’ll share an overview of what the author, Hal Elrod, has determined are the most important parts of a successful morning–from studying many very successful people.
Here they are! Take what jumps out to you from this list…or start with all of them!
S (Silence—can be prayer, meditation, whatever you need it to be)
A (Affirmations. I have mine written down in the front of my journal, so I grab it and read through them to get my mind going in a positive light, related to who I am and what I will create with the day).
V Visualizations (Imagine yourself going through your day, accomplishing your main goals and feeling great…balancing your Renew Me goals with the other priorities in your life!)
E (Exercise! Anything from this 5 min workout/stretch to our 15 min Mom-Shape, or an hour long workout class. Do what makes you feel energized and ready for the day—keep it simple! The consistency is what will transform you).
R Reading. So powerful to start the day off with some good new brain fuel; whether it’s 3 minutes or 20 minutes, so important for self-renewal and forming new mindset patterns. We’re all just a few thoughts away from a totally different day and – day by day – a redesigned life!
S Scribe (funny way of saying journaling….how many of us want to journal but don’t because we “don’t have time” and put it off to the end of the day?) Start the day with your own reflections, dreams, hopes and voice.
My biggest tip: besides finding something that deeply motivates you to create a morning ritual, find a super comfy spot and prep it the night before–books, yoga mat, journal, etc. It will be much easier to be laser focused when you wake up and you’ll be looking forward to getting cozy in your nook.
I call this my power spot and I aim to make it there several times throughout the day for a re-charge moment with a good book, a good phone convo with a friend, etc. It’s a spot you can set aside for self-care and goal-setting, away from where you do most of your work, mess and daily living fun. Enjoy the process of making this space YOURS.
Play around with all of these 8 practices (the Life SAVERS). Hal recommends setting aside an hour for these practices initially, but you have to do what works for you based on your kids’ schedules, work hours, outside commitments, etc. You can literally do a 10 minute version (I have!) and it’s still valuable. Your goal is to build a new habit that feeds your soul. This one could truly change your life. Try it out and then tell us about it in the Facebook group!
Other morning tips and tricks from a Health Coach:
*1 mug warm water with lemon upon rising (helps activate the liver and digestion, gently cleanse, and energize)
*Apple Cider vinegar (2 tbsp diluted in 8 oz water with 1-2 tsp maple syrup) is great for digestion, alkalinizing the body, and stabilizing blood sugar
*Life Shake–especially packed with greens and fruits!
*Vitalizer Strip—your 80 most essential nutrients, crammed in right to start the day with you, and timed-release B vitamins keep you energized all day long
*Warm tea (green is great for antioxidants and metabolism)
Did you know we have 168 hours to use in the week? Would you like to use your morning hours to not only feel amazing, but also move your life forward towards your goals?
Enjoy your new morning routines, as part of your upgraded lifestyle!