Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.
My morning routine sets the tone for my day. Some days I have to get up earlier but I always make sure I have time to do my routine, even if it is a shortened version of it.
Why are routines important? Some ways a routine can help include: Better stress levels lead to improved mental health, more time to relax and less anxiety. A lack of healthy stress management techniques can put you at greater risk for heart disease and negatively impact your overall health. Better sleep will leave you refreshed.
A quick google search will provide you with tons of reasons why routines are important, but my favorite one is because it just makes my life so much easier. Up until this year I did not like mornings. I have a few other words I could use to describe them, but I'll keep them to myself. Now every morning, we follow the same routine and it means so much to me. If I don't get my me time in the morning, it makes for a rough day.
Up at 7 am.
start a cup of tea and take my meds
MJ goes outside and does her business while I feed my birds.
We go inside and open the curtains
Water our plants (inside now since it's winter)
sit down and write in my gratitude journal (you need one if you don't have one)
I go over my plans for the day and tasks that I need to do.
then I just sit for about 15 mins and watch the birds.
The difference when it is nice out, we sit in our gazebo outside and I get some barefoot grounding in.
This is my Gratitude Journal. I am on my 3rd copy, but we also sell them in the store. I love it.
While working on improving my mental health I learned that it is very helpful to write it down. Even if I think I am going to remember to do it, I still write it down. It helps me get what I need to get done and on time. No matter what "it" is I write it down. From doing laundry to paying bills.
My favorite part of the day is my mornings. And we have all grown to love our birds that visit us every day. My favorite is our Blue Jays, then the pair of Cardinals and Kelly's favorite is the male Red Bellied Woodpecker.
Having a routine helps keep us on track both mentally and physically, which can help make our days more positive and productive. What is one of your routines that you love?