Question: Do you need a morning routine? I’m not talking about, getting the kids dressed for school, or making sure you grab your lunch…. I am talking about YOUR morning routine. The time you take set yourself up for a successful day. So Do you need one?

Answer: YES. Seriously, trust me! If you want to increase your energy and be more productive in your day, it’s a no brainer.

I was never really huge on creating a routine as such, I was more than happy to press snooze until the very last minute, roll out of bed and pray I could make myself presentable before work! I was generally pretty quick, shower and race out the door. But, then I was always rushing and flustered by the time I got into work and never ready for the day to begin! As they say you can’t pour from an empty cup!

When I first heard about starting a morning routine, initially, I honestly thought… ‘Jeez, seriously, how long do you think I have to get ready?’ However, the point isn’t to spend hours getting ready, rather taking a small amount of your time to start you day with purpose and gratitude to increase your productivity!

Once you get started on taking time for a little of self care, you will see why its so important! It’s easy to see why so many successful people have set morning routines they do everyday! It doesnt have to be extensive its just a time to connect and show respect to yourself.

I thought, why not give it a go. Just as I would have scheduled time for my coffee each morning, I decided to try all the different ways I could start my day to find what works best for me.

I started seeing my morning ritual as the most important act of self-love and quite actually therapeutic. It really does create productive energy for the day!

The key I learnt (after trial and error), is never set the bar to high! Find what works best for you, what you enjoy and what you need to energise you in the morning! Start small, add one or two things from the list below, keep the consistency and then add another. It’s not a race.

I of course, have days where I only want to spend time on a few, other days I want to spend more time on myself. I know when my body needs some extra love and I make the time to give it.

Here are a few things I add into my morning routine. Remember; you don’t have to add them all in! Some days I just focus on my non-negotiables.

Lemon and Ginger water

I’m sure you have heard about this little gem, or it might even be in your morning routine already. This hydrating beauty is the BEST way to kick start your body after it has been repairing and fasting all night. It stimulates your digestive and lymphatic system to eliminate toxins by alkalizing your body.

If I can get you to start somewhere, it would be here.

I make my morning easier by using a thermos, adding hot water, slice of organic lemon, chunk of organic ginger and let it brew overnight. Then I sit on my bed side table. That way in the morning, its right in my face to drink immediately. You can also make it first thing in the morning, whatever works for you! I believe in making anything and everything as easy as possible!!

Gratitude

This one is super simple, you don’t even need to get out of bed! As soon as I wake up in the morning, I take 5 deep belly breathes (in through the nose, out through the mouth) and think of 3 things I am grateful for.

Maybe it’s that I woke up before my alarm, maybe it’s not feeling pain in my body or maybe it’s because you know you get to see your friend today? Whatever you are grateful, big or small, it is so important to take the time and recognize it.

If I have a moment during the day of pure chaos, I use gratitude to stop and bring me back to what is important, right NOW! You can also use a journal for this and physically write them down. You would be amazed at the difference it can make to see words on paper. You brain can’t focus on two things at once (Sorry all you multi-taskers out there, but it’s true) So if you are ever stressed or overwhelmed stop and think of things you are grateful for, you will be instantly calmed and refocused.

Flossing / Oil pulling

This one may feel quite weird at first, but trust me try it for a week every single day, and I bet you stick with it! This would have to be the one I had most trouble with, it was definitely a mental battle.

After continuing it for a couple of weeks, I really began to notice the difference and actually didn’t even realise there was OIL in my mouth. My teeth were whiter! I swear! My gums looked healthier and I even kicked a bad gum infection. The benefits are so phenomenal. While you are swishing it around in your mouth, it is drawing out all kinds of toxins that would actually be absorbed into your bloodstream and body if left… GROSS! The list of benefits is insane for oil pulling, it can help with so many infections and sinus issues too.

Note: It may make you bring up some phlegm, but just spit it right out, that is just toxins that would have otherwise been absorbed by your body. Gross I know but better out that in.

Try to keep yourself distracted, I do it while I’m in the shower.

With approx. tablespoon of oil (can be more or less, start small and increase)

Swirl around for 10-20mins or more if you can handle it, then spit. Make sure not to swallow, the oil is pulling out all of the toxins and you want to get them OUT of your body! I use organic Sesame Oil, you can also use Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil – the list is endless.

Coconut oil massage (optional with essential oil) & Dry brushing

Ahhh – my favourite! I find the oil massage the most therapeutic of all my rituals. I really take the time to connect and give a little good morning massage to stimulate each muscle and organ. A real internal energy boost! The coconut oil works as a detoxifier by literally pulling toxins from you body.

Dry body brushing & oil massage, both are a great way to stimulate and detoxify your body to release toxins and the build-up of dry dull skin (Cellulite too!). If I have time I like to do both, but some days that just aint going to happen. I will oil massage if that’s the case, as coconut oil is antibacterial and moisturizing…. So you a literally washing and moisturing yourself in ONE go!  Time saver!! Just rinse the oil off in shower, pat dry and your good to go!

The main purpose of the strokes is to soothe and stimulate the lymphatic system, tissues and nervous system. You are giving it a mini workout, to really get things moving, and the blood flowing for glowing skin. Be as gentle as you can, light touch is more effective than deep pressure massage.

You can use coconut oil and add in a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil, to really feel like you’re at a mini day spa. I like to heat my coconut oil so it is nice and warm. Leave the oil on for 10 mins if you can, brush your teeth, wash your face and then jump in the shower to wash away the toxins and excess oil. Another huge bonus other than totally soft skin, is it helps your nails grow and your skin literally glow!

Movement

Some people love exercise first thing in the morning… lucky them. You might love bouncing out of bed for a spin class, or early morning yoga. I love taking it nice and slow, either a walk or some gentle yoga in my living room. It’s easier to just roll with whatever your body is asking for. Try a few sun salutations, to get the blood pumping or even get outside for a quick stroll around the block. It is important however to take some time for movement after laying dormant all night. Don’t have time… you’ve heard it before but take the stairs when you get to the office or simply park a little further away. It doesn’t take much to add in a few more steps.

Breakfast

Oooh yeah breaky time! You can’t complain that I have added this bad boy in. It’s the MOST important. I seriously look forward to what I will have for breakfast every day. Personally my body loves a smoothie, jam packed with loads of healthy fats, greens and superfoods to keep me full and nourished all morning. That’s not to say I don’t look forward to smashed avo, or bacon and eggs some days…..

You might be different though, when you wake up what do you crave, listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs! Either way, make sure you squeeze in time to eat nourish!! If you don’t have the luxury of too much time, prep the night before, grab a chia pod on the way out the door.

The most important thing about these rituals, is find what works best for you. It’s 15 minutes (or an hour if you really want!) out of your day, for YOU! Just you. You don’t have to think about work, your family, partner, what’s for dinner, this is just you and your body, setting you up for a productive energised day!

If you don’t have 15 minutes to give to yourself, are you even living?? Maybe have a look at prioritising your time, wake up 15mins earlier… The world will still go on, even if you lock yourself in the bathroom for 15mins! What can you offer the world if your cup is continuously empty. You are not being selfish, trust me when I say this is just as important as eating! You are nourishing yourself on a much deeper level.

So remember, start small, try a couple once a week, and then try a couple of days. It is so important to give self-love back to your body, learn to love every inch and appreciate all of the work it does for you every single day. It breathes, repairs, grows, pumps blood, and so much more without you having to actually think.
Remember we only have one body, so take care of it, love it and most of all enjoy it! You deserve it!

Let me know below what is your favourite way to start the day! Do you have something you do that I have listed? I would love to hear from you!