What are some practices/rituals you do in the morning to set yourself up for a happy and productive day? Help a girl out!!!

Question

Valia · Answer

Brushing my hair and doing skincare after: It’s simple but it helps me understand that I’m starting my day, especially brushing my hair to show that bed hair is GONE. Coffee-making ritual comes after!

Seimi · Answer

Drink a cup of coffee before anyone wakes up: One of my kids is an early riser and would sneak into our bed before our alarm. But once in a while I manage to get up before him and drink a cup of perfect coffee in silence. It’s the perfect way to start the day.

Geren · Answer

WAVY Sound Meditation App: Discovered this composer founded aesthetically pleasing free app yesterday and it’s immediately added to my rotation. Fell asleep to it last night and started the day today with it as well.

Instant regular rotation tool to help reset my nervous system or kick in my me as a toddler pattern recognition that sound bath time is sleepy time.

Self management is underrated sometimes.

Sheena · Answer

Miles Davis: Instrumental jazz like Davis just sets the tone

Liz S C · Answer

Read for 10 Minutes: My day starts in chaos getting my family out the door. To help me switch gears from Mom mode to professional mode after they leave I pour a cup of coffee, set a timer, and read for 10 uninterrupted minutes. Bonus points if it’s nice enough to do it outside!

Often I use the time to read a work related book but I’m also a big fan of long form New York articles.

Catherine Davis · Answer

Yoga with Adrienne: Yoga for… anything you need! For runners, for overthinking, for bloating, for bedtime, for people who sit all day, for heavy hearts, for beginners, ETC. This gal has a yoga sequence for everything and anything. Bonuses- it is free, she is quirky and endearing, and sometimes her dog Benji makes a guest appearance.

Sarah C · Answer

A big glass of water: Before you eat or drink anything else. It just helps.

Sarah Beck · Answer

numbering your to-do list: One of my biggest issues is getting distracted / procrastinating between tasks. My solution is to write out my tasks (by project) for the day, and then number them in the order I'm going to get them done. This helps me soo much to stop putting off the tasks I don't want to do because my brain hates skipping a number. I've been doing this for years and years, and the days I do it are much easier than those I don't.

Jamie · Answer

range by kara duval: i found this rec on Rec League and WOW. to think that this little community of people has already guided me to something that feels so integral to my wellness. i crave working out now (who among us???) when i know it’s going to be a range class. every single one leaves me feeling regulated and strong, energized and at peace. kara is such a calming presence. i seriously cannot recommend enough. sometimes i run out of time and do these in the evenings, but it’s always a special treat when i manage to squeeze it in in the morning. she has tons of free classes (“open range”) you can try to get a sense of the vibe. do NOT turn your nose up at jitterbug based on the description. just try it. there’s no way you don’t love it.

Andrea · Answer

The Morning Show on The Current: I agree with so many of the recs here - esp a little time outdoors/opening the windows, mindfully make some coffee, light a candle or incense.. I also enjoy listening to The Current, a public radio station from Mpls, but you can stream anywhere. It’s a connection to the outside world that’s so good as someone who works from home - and previously was a stay at home mom - and is enough connection to the outside world that I don’t feel a need to check my phone. It’s so nice to hear Jill  & Nil’s wide-awake voices & be exposed to music & info I may not otherwise find. They do a Coffee Break segment every morning where they play music based on a diff theme everyday too - always fun.

Dini Dixon · Answer

Reading a daily passage from The Soul’s Companion by Tian Dayton: Almost every morning my partner and I take turns reading a daily passage to each other. Would definitely be just as effective as a solo activity. The book was written by Dayton for her daughter when she was heading off to college. Just something to provoke spiritual wonder, intention, and contemplation throughout the day. Every day also includes a quote from a different author. Truly transformative as a morning ritual. Paired with good bowl of oatmeal and an espresso it can be especially wonderful.

Tiffy · Answer

Journaling: One a5 page, and I write with my favourite fountain pen, it helps to sort out my muddled morning thoughts

Savannah Spoor · Answer

Cabin Nine 20 minute candle: A candle that lasts for 20 minutes is my go-to. I can plan for the day, journal, and be very intentional. And such a fun way to do this! Comes with a cute rock holder that is super grounding and a pack of 12 candles

Anna Balliet · Answer

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 exercise with morning coffee: Before I take my first sip of coffee, I do a quick grounding exercise. I’m not a therapist who schedules 20 minutes to meditate everyday, but I do try to slow my mind first thing. I notice that my attention span suffers when I don’t take these 30-60 seconds in the morning.

With my coffee mug, I look out my living kitchen window and notice:

5 things I can see (usually try to find 5 different colors)

4 things I can hear (the sound of the fountain in the courtyard, cars outside, the whirring of my air purifier, my dog’s footsteps)

3 things I can feel (the hot coffee mug, my pajamas, the cool window)

2 things I can smell (the coffee, anything outside the window)

1 thing I can taste (the coffee… duh)

And because I’m human, I manage to do this 3-4 times a week.

Jackie · Answer

Visualization walk: On the days I remember, intentionally walking (to get in my body via noticing my 5 senses) and dropping in, and then speaking and visualizing ALL the good I can for the day - crushing my to do list, having a great attitude, things handled well - really changes my day!

I like this because it’s a stack of habits. A walk, embodyment which calms my nervous system, and essentially affirmations via the visualizations. AND morning sunlight 😊

Amu Killada · Answer

Daily review and planning the day ahead: I freelance a lot and work from home, so the days can start to blur together pretty quickly when I’m busy. I started doing a daily review every evening where, without looking at my calendar or email, I try to remember what I did that day and how I felt. Then I plan the next day. I’ve learned that if I don’t, I’ll wake up, grab a coffee, and immediately start working until I finish something, without really thinking about how I’m spending the day.

Mimi Wainwright · Answer

If you have a dog—or two!—take them for a good walk in your neighborhood just after sunrise. Moving one’s body in the early dawn quiet, sharing a smile and nod with a passing neighbor, and taking in the waking sounds of nature and soft golden light feeds my mind and soul.

nat · Answer

a slow morning don’t go on your phone: morning pages (an artist’s way) before i even look at my phone, i “drain” my legs while i write my morning pages,hot lemon with water, back and arm stretches while water boils, supplements and then gym

Dylan · Answer

Robert Gordon mini dish: this is a really cute sauce dish that I originally had a candle in but now i use it to empty my pills & vitamins for the day from my pill box into this dish.

it's very satisfying and feels bit posh. i find using beautiful objects helps ritualise an otherwise mundane routine.

Dylan · Answer

Gentle Habits Grounded Incense: Not just a clever name, this actually makes me feel grounded. i've tried to branch out by testing the other scents in this range but i can't go past this one. It's cosy and warming and not too overpowering for my sensitive snout!

would like to buy this holder to pair with them. I currently have this one, which I adore the look of, but i have to sit it in a dish to catch the ashes.

Gentle Habits even have custom playlists to accompany each of their incense and perfume oil scents. So cute :)

Dylan · Answer

Brazil Nuts: Two a day for thyroid health <3

Dylan · Answer

Batch brew or pour over coffee with a dash of cold regular milk: If I'm making it myself, I'll add a tiny pinch of sea salt and sometimes a drizzle of honey :)

When I worked as a barista, I'd just drink shots of espresso, then I got the ick & ventured into the land of the cold brew, but now my body prefers a slightly less jarring & more digestion-friendly variation

Dylan · Answer

Midori MD Notebook Journal A5 Grid Block: i swear to sweet baby jesus i have never in my life journalled as much as i have since acquiring this one. a rec from a thoughtful friend who is as equally neurodivergent as me & just GETS IT.

something about the tiny grids and the pages divided into four sections makes this spicy brain very joyful. BIG FAN. HUGE.

Dylan · Answer

Bone Broth Body Glue: add a tsp to boiling water and voila! instant bone broth which means improved joints, skin, digestion, etc etc. i have it first thing every morning as my lil morning routine.

milky & warming like a cup of tea & can be used to add flavour to sauces & other hot dishes :)

Haley Mai · Answer

morning ritual::

no phone/socials for the first couple of hours (if you can). i recently bought a Brick and it's been a HUGE help, very much recommend.

coffee + breakfast outside, get sunshine on your face. bonus points if you have a cat that enjoys supervised outdoor enrichment time too.

sudoku or any brains puzzle. it really feels like giving your brain its first deep breath of the morning lol

some kind of morning movement; a walk, gentle yoga, mat pilates, weight lifting, anything you enjoy. key point: something you enjoy.

JaperMoon · Answer

Stretching first thing in the morning: So basic, but truly worth it. I have a routine that has changed over the years but roughly 15 mins.

I recently started adding some weight lifting on mon-wed-fridays, for good measure.

Jackie Homan · Answer

Writing/journaling before checking any social media in the morning: Helps me work through anything on my mind, lets creativity flow, and sets me up for a more offline day rather than starting the morning with a bunch of outside influences before I’ve fully woken up

Aya C · Answer

Set your clothes out the night before.: Boring, but it helps! It makes everything more streamlined. Even if you change your mind, it’s easier to edit than start from scratch.

*photo is from my kid starting middle school. 🥹

Maryn · Answer

Morning walk: I have a dog, so I have to get up and walk every morning and it's the best way to start the day. Would recommend, dog or not!

Photo from a recent morning walk :)