Re-Claim Your Mindful Mornings

You've got six new notifications on Facebook, eight new e-mails to read and three Snap-Chats to write back to. One of those emails is a nagging reminder of something on your to do list that still needs to be done. As you finish up your emails and check Instagram you notice the time and now you're running late for work! 

​Anyone else ever have "one of those mornings?!"

It's so interesting to me how much importance we place on that small little computer we call a cell phone. After seeing an Instagram post on a similar topic by the lovely Andrea O'Brien, and this one over on Mind Body Green I thought it would be fun to share some Spring Cleaning tips for your morning routine.

​This is by no means the "IF I have a perfect morning I will do 2 hours of yoga and meditate for a half hour before I bake my own gluten free protein infused oatmeal with a side of freshly picked berries from my personal greenhouse".... That's pretty unrealistic, but sounds lovely if you want to include me. ;)

These are some hard and fast tips you can put into your current life without too much work.

​First up -- DO NOT check your phone from bed. 
Just don't. The bed is for sleep and intimate moments with your partner. When I'm playing on my phone, it's just me and my phone. No outside interaction. Closed off. Sorry partner, not tonight.

Try an old school alarm clock, instead of your phone. This will help with those temptations to check your phone in the morning. While we're at it, charge your phone overnight in a different room.​ Some days, I make it to my day job before I check my notifications. Some days I don't. It's all about the practice.

On the other hand, set a reminder on your phone to keep you accountable for your meditation, yoga, etc. practice. If we set aside the time and actually plan our "down time" around it, we will DO it. Even a short meditation is better than nothing. Eventually that time will become non-negotiable.

I would looooove to say prep the night before, but some times that doesn't happen. Maybe you can prep a batch of overnight oats or something like this baked oatmeal creates breakfast for several days.

Get your outfit together, as well as any gym/yoga clothes you will need. Including socks, shoes, underwear, etc. so you're not rushing around in the morning with only one sock on. I find if I have my stuff ready to go, I'm setting myself up for success to get to the gym/etc. 

Go to bed fifteen minutes earlier than usual, or earlier if you are tired--Listen to your body! Then set your wake-up alarm fifteen minutes earlier so you have time to write in your journal. Not sure what to write? Try doing some Morning Pages or begin tracking your dreams. 

Start your day with gratitude and some love. Kiss your partner, your cat/dog, etc. Just a little something to rocket your positive vibes up right from the moment you open your eyes. Maybe it's writing or saying a gratitude list to make you feel good. Even something as simple as the first sip of coffee can go on that list. 

Hoping one or two of these ideas speak to you. 
In love & gratitude,
- Jenn Rose

(Clock Photo by Camila Damásio on Unsplash
#Tired Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash)