5 Mindful Habits to Practise for a Good Day.

An article by the wonderful Bournemouth Girl.

Having a good morning routine can be super beneficial for your health, your mindset, and even your productivity. When you introduce mindful habits into your morning routine, you will notice significant changes in your life.

A routine helps to set the tone for your day; this better allows you to control your schedules rather than your schedules controlling you. As a new day is a fresh start, you can better focus on what is in front of you, where you can prioritise your time and even increase your productivity.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment through a nurturing lens.

When you start practising mindfulness, your thoughts tune into what you are sensing in the present moment rather than revisiting the past or imagining the future. So bringing mindfulness into each morning is only going to bring positivity.

I have recently had to change all of my routines and having to find my new normal because of my diagnoses of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome. I have been experimenting with habits/activities in my morning routine. I have compiled a list of mindful morning habits that you should try in yours.

Check out this post for more details on healthy habits to improve your life!

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5 Mindful Habits to kick start your day!

1. Journal.

Writing in your journal can be a great way to relieve stress and practise showing gratitude. Spending a few minutes in the morning writing down your thoughts, feelings, or what you are grateful for can improve your mental health and even your concentration. By journaling in the morning, you are making sure that you start the day on positive and grateful notes. When you follow a simple gratitude practice in your journal like writing down three things that you are grateful for, you will notice that you will start the day a lot happier.

Alternatively, you can practice morning pages. Created by creative guru Julia Cameron, morning pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing which you should do first thing in the morning. There is no right or wrong way to do morning pages. They are not even ‘writing’ as such; they are about anything and everything that crosses your mind – these pages are for your eyes only. Morning pages provoke comfort, clarity and help you to prioritise the day ahead. You don’t need to overthink the writing; just put down anything in your mind on paper. Morning pages serve a deeper purpose; this type of journaling is cathartic, ritualistic and it builds confidence and clears your mind.

I have been journaling since I was young and I want to reignite my passion for journaling this year.

2. Avoid Technology.

When you reach for your phone first thing in the morning, what do you end up seeing? You see a list of notifications, emails, and reminders from your calendar. Then suddenly, your morning is disrupted and your mind instantly goes to all the tasks you need to attend to that day. Experts say that you would be framing the first moments of your day as a ‘menu’ of missed experiences. You do not want to experience the FOMO before you get out of bed. So, rather than reaching for your phone, practice more mindful habits and create the right mindset before you tackle the days’ tasks.

3. Do Something You Love.

Checking your emails first thing in the morning can cause stress, but negativity can creep in from other places too; this is why it is important that your morning routine is positive by doing something you love every morning.

If you have something that brings you joy and positivity make sure that is how you start your day. It may be something that makes you feel healthy for example when you start your day positively; it sets the tone for your attitude. Doing something each morning can also:

• Motivate you
• Improve your energy levels
• Motivate you to learn and grow
• Improve your confidence

When you participate in something you love, you are fully immersed in the activity/ habit. You will live in the moment, which allows you to connect with feelings of joy and happiness.

4. Feed Your Body.

Were you ever told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Although there is much discussion amongst researchers about the facts, feeding and hydrating your body in the morning is essential for your health and mind. Your body needs fuel for energy and concentration. When you eat your breakfast, just think ‘Am I really taking the time to chew your food properly?’. ‘Are you slowing down and taking your time? Do you really appreciate the food you are eating? These are all the things that you should think about when you eat your breakfast.

5. Meditation.

Morning meditation is one of the healthiest ways to start your day. You can meditate at any time of the day or night; however, research shows that the ideal time to meditate is first thing in the morning. The reason being your mind is free and clear before the stresses of the day have crept in. The benefits of morning meditation include:

• A mood boost
• Improved focus and concentration
• Reduced levels of anxiety and stress
• Improved confidence
• A boost in productivity
• Help you deal with anxiety or stress later in the day

If you want to learn how to set up your morning meditation practice, here are some tips:

1. Find your method – track your breathing or try a guided meditation
2. Find the best spot – a place that feels comfortable
3. Sit up straight to open up your body
4. Commit to regular practice

Mindfulness is a powerful practice that can have a positive impact on all areas of your life. These are 5 small mindful habits that will help you create the perfect morning, every morning.

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Do you practise certain habits every morning? I’d love to hear in the comments.