How to build a life-affirming ritual into your morning routine
In her latest book, Good Mornings: Morning Rituals For Wellness, Peace & Purpose, Wellness expert and author Linnea Dunne provides plenty of ideas on creating a calming morning ritual. Here, in excerpts from her book, she explains how to get the most out of the “peace and promise” of the start of the day…
Morning has broken — it’s time to fix it
Make sure the alarm sounds pleasant rather than loud and strident — there’s a lot to be said for waking up to your favourite tune.
Rituals for avoiding friction
Make sure things like keys are in their designated places, create a capsule wardrobe and eat the same thing every morning. By removing the need to make these everyday decisions, you leave more space for the person underneath to emerge.
Take a breath
Mindful breathing has been proved to help with lowering anxiety and stress levels and improving mental health in general, including cognitive ability.
With the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth, just on the ridge of your gums, slowly inhale through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven and then open your mouth slightly without moving your tongue and exhale for a count of eight. Repeat four times. Do it whenever you like, for as long as you need to feel calm.
Incorporate nature into your morning routine
1 Outdoor exercise boosts your mood and self-esteem in as little as five minutes. Why not go running or cycling or do some yoga in the park?
2 Get comfortable with a blanket and a cup of tea on your balcony porch or local park and watch the beauty of nature unfold. Just looking at nature, research shows, increases your ability to concentrate.
3 Stroll through your garden or your neighbourhood — observe the changes of the seasons, listen to birdsong, notice what the breeze feels like on your. Activating all your senses helps you to be present.
Photo by Wojciech Święch on Unsplash
Photo by Rowan Chestnut Unsplash
