How You Start Matters
Connect with the photo: Even the forest floor near the northern California coast is magical. I spotted this verdant green sprout while tree gazing in the redwoods.
As your alarm sounds in the morning, what's your first thought? How do you rise to greet your day? As you cross the threshold of the door at work, how do you show up? Are to-do lists surfacing as thoughts of scarcity arise - not enough sleep and not enough time? If so, feelings of overwhelm and stress can take ahold of your body and mind and immediately set a hurried tone for the rest of your day. This morning routine can easily become a pattern. I invite you to pause, breathe and affect profound change through intentionality.
Many simple, intentional acts take mere moments, yet their benefits ripple throughout your day.
Here are a couple ideas to try this week:
- At the sound of your morning alarm, hit snooze, take a deep breath and express gratitude before the next alarm sounds. Give love for your comfy bed, your sound sleep or the opportunity to experience another day.
- Utter the affirmation, "I have enough time today to accomplish every necessary thing."
- Wiggle (yes, I said "wiggle")! Shake out the "ughs" - move your fingers and toes, windshield wiper your arms and legs and let it all go.
- As you ready for your day, take a couple deep breaths and stretch in a way that honors your body.
- Cozy up to a cup of warm lemon water. From a yogic perspective, lemon water regulates your digestion and helps you kick the coffee habit.
- While making breakfast, offer a blessing that your food will deeply nourish your body and mind.
- Before starting your car, set an intention for your day. How do you want to feel today? What can you do today to make your heart sing? How can you serve your life's purpose today?
- Prior to entering your workspace, take a deep inhale in through your nose and exhale out through your mouth with an audible sigh. Repeat twice more.
As you learn to approach your day with ease, your mind and body will respond in kind, acknowledging that how you start matters. Extend these techniques beyond just the start of your day to freshen a new project, workout routine or healthy eating regimen.
How will you positively shape your start?