Five Morning Rituals To Keep You Living Well

Our bodies and souls L-O-V-E ritual. The natural world is rich with rhythms-- from the sun to the moon to the seasons to the tide. Incorporating natural rhythms into your life, or creating your own rhythms, will give you more energy and help keep you feeling fantastic. Having a morning ritual that nourishes your soul and body will prepare you for all the fantastic things that are coming your way, and help you hit the ground running when you head out into the world. Here are a few to help you get started.

1 - Get your lovely bones out of bed at the same time each morning. The best time to wake up for maximum daily energy?  Before 6am. After 6 and you’re likely to carry some sluggishness with you throughout the day.

2 - Drink a glass of lemon water as soon as you get out of bed. Overnight your body processes all the toxins from the day before. Sleep is when healing and repair take place. Drinking a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning will give your body an alkalizing flush to help eliminate those toxins. Bonus-- Add a dash of cayenne to boost your immune system and metabolism!  Be sure to drink your lemon water at least 30 minutes before you eat. Alkalizing your stomach will slow down the digestive process.

3 - Take 10 minutes of quiet time. Meditate, read something you enjoy, drink herbal tea, write in your journal, reflect on what you’re grateful for, or just sit quietly and breathe. Those 10 minutes will help you focus and maintain peace of mind throughout the day.

4 - Eat a nourishing breakfast. What you put in your mouth first thing in the AM sets you up for the rest of the day. Scarf down a bagel and a cup o’ joe and you can expect a mid-morning crash complete with sugar cravings and a roller coaster ride of energy ups and downs. Go for slow-cooking oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts or sprouted grain bread (Ezekiel is my favorite) with almond butter and an apple. Eat more and better food for breakfast and you’ll eat better all day long.

5 - Plan your day. Instead of rushing out the door, jumping headlong into the day, take some time in the morning before you leave the house to look at your schedule, assess your day, determine what you want to accomplish and how you want your day to be. Just deciding that things will go your way and knowing what to expect will set you up for a successful day.

Rachel Anzalone is a Certified Natural Health Professional.