"Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.”
Starting the morning off right with a good system is a game changer - setting the tone for your day.
Because life is so unpredictable, setting up a morning ritual gives you peace and preparedness to deal with whatever comes your way.
The first hour after you wake up is the perfect opportunity to commit yourself to optimal health, positive thoughts, and vibrant energy.
Even if you had an awful night's sleep or overate the wrong food (or drink) the night before, you can reset yourself and return to feeling your best.
Like most things in life, it's good to have a plan if you want to make progress on your goals.
This week's energy tip: 3 things to energize your morning routine to bring your mind, body, and spirit in balance.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
"Let medicine be thy food and food be thy medicine" – Hippocrates
Lemons are one of Earth's healing foods; a powerful healing fruit with amazing antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-cancer properties.
An easy way to take in this fantastic fruit is to have a tall glass of lemon water first thing in the morning to cleanse and detoxify your entire body.
Lemons are a digestive bitter.
A digestive bitter can be an herb, a veggie, or a zesty fruit that works magic by revving up your digestion and stimulating the production of enzymes to break down your food.
Fresh lemon juice helps your body absorb all those precious vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients hiding in the foods you eat and the supplements you take to support your body.
Squeezing a lemon wedge into your first glass of water in the a.m. is also a powerful mood booster. A natural way to cleanse and detoxify your liver. 🍋 🍋 🍋
Meditation
I talk a lot about the benefits of meditation because it works. Plus, it's free and easy to learn.
It doesn’t take long to master the magical effects and it can offer relief similar to your usual feel-good activities. You know that comforting sensation you experience when enjoying something you love? Meditation can give you that natural “high” feeling and leave you craving more.
It's a natural way to feel uplifted and exhilarated for the day.
By slowing and focusing on your breath, your brain strengthens your focus and decision-making skills while reducing fear and stress.
Here's a simple meditation practice you can do each morning:
Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed, turn off any distractions, and get comfortable in a position that suits you. Sitting up straight with good posture is ideal for focus and relaxation, but standing or walking is also an option.
Take a deep breath or two.
Notice your breath.
Naturally breathe in and out of your nose. Focus on the space underneath your nose, where the air enters and leaves your body.
Let your thoughts flow as they will. Don't control them. Don't chase after them and don't push them away. Just let them pass through your mind, while you keep your attention ever so lightly on your breath.
If you lose track of your breath, that's ok too. When you notice you've forgotten about your breath, just gently return your relaxed attention back to it.
Try this practice for just 5-20 minutes and then see how you feel.
Stretch
You don't need to do special yoga or pilates poses first thing in the morning (though awesome if you do!) -- even easy basic stretches can make a huge difference to move your energy to start your day.
Roll your neck around for half a minute, clockwise and then counterclockwise (or vice versa). Extend your arms to relieve tension in your sides. Do a little side twist in both directions.
These simple movements help to get your blood moving and your cells ready to absorb nutrients from your breakfast. They also stimulate the release of endorphins, the happy hormones, in your body.
In closing, a friendly reminder, it's mid-September and we're getting close to the last quarter of the year! I love the idea of doing a 90-day challenge from October thru December to end the year on a “high” note.
Years ago I participated in a “Last 90 Days” community-wide event started by Rachel Hollis that brought people together from all over the world to build stronger habits. At the time, 2020, I needed a little kick-in-the butt jump start to start some new habits.
I'm feeling I need that again this year :)
Let me know if you're interested in joining me. Click below to reply.
