morning routine

Which one are you?

Snooze button, tired, cranky, sore, Ugghh!

Refreshed, happy, energetic, excited, YAY!

How do you normally start your day?  Are you more like the person on the left or the right? There are plenty of things you can do to pump up your mornings---even if you feel like you never have enough time! 
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I have a 10-Minute Morning Routine I'm happy to share with you that will give you so much good energy when you first wake up. And, that good energy will spread out throughout your day.  You'll have more clarity, be more productive, feel more in control, and happier! Sounds good, right? 
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the importance of a strong start

•Your first waking minutes are important for getting your brain focused and revved up for the day.
•How you prep your mind and body during those first minutes is key to putting yourself in the right mindset to take on anything that comes your way in the most positive way.
•By starting your day with intent, you can maximize your effectiveness, increase your positivity and form good habits that will have a strong impact on other areas of your life.
•Once you settle into a good morning routine, you’ll naturally begin doing it every day!
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10-Minutes in the morning

​GET HYDRATED:  1-MINUTE

•Even if your brain seems to be screaming for coffee as soon as you open your eyes, what your mind and body really need is some good old WATER! Water does wonders for your health and wellness.
•An adult body is made up of 55-60% water, so making sure you get enough is critical to ensuring your mind and body function properly. In the morning, your body will be a little dehydrated because you haven’t had anything to drink for eight hours.
•Dehydration leaves you feeling drained and sluggish, drinking water flushes toxins that have built up in your system overnight, and gives your metabolism a little boost. It also helps reduce stomach acid and can reduces any symptoms of heartburn.
•SUPERCHARGE YOUR SELF-CARE:  Add a drop of Wild Orange or Lemon Essential Oil to your water.  It acts as a detoxifying agent, and aromatically, will help clear your mind, and give you a positive energy boost! (***Make sure the Essential Oils are safe for internal use. The brand I use has that labeling on the bottle)

BREATHE:  1-MINUTE

•Research shows that changing our breathing pattern to taking in six to 10 deep breaths per minute regulates our stress-response system. Proper breathing has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, an increase energy an focus.  It also strengthens our immune system! 
•This is pretty cool concept to think about:  our mind and breath mirror each other. A quiet mind leads to quiet breathing. Think about how breathing picks up when we're nervous or scared. When we are conscious of our breathing, we can actually use it to influence our physical and emotional states! 
•SUPERCHARGE YOUR SELF-CARE:  Add one drop each of Peppermint and Wild Orange Essential Oil to your palm, rub your palms together, cup your hands over your nose and mouth and take a nice deep breath in, then let it out..it’s instant happy energy! 

​STRETCH:  2-MINUTES

•Stretching after sleep works quickly to make you feel better, and helps your muscles wake up and function better. Stretching in the morning also eases muscle tension from the previous day.
•Besides helping with muscle and joint stiffness, stretching supports health circulation and flexibility. 
•SUPERCHARGE YOUR SELF-CARE:  Add a squirt of Coconut Oil and 1-2 drops of AromaTouch or Deep Blue Essential Oil blend, rub your palms together, then rub the mixture on any sore/tight areas. 

GIVE THANKS:  3 MINUTES

•When we take time to give thanks and be grateful for all we have, we’re happier and less anxious, and our relationships improve. Take a few minutes every morning to write down at least one thing you are grateful for in your life.
•Take a minute to appreciate even the little things around you that are good in your life. When we feel burdened, it can be hard to see the positive things that are happening!  
•Taking a few minutes every morning to remind yourself of how good your life is, especially during dark times, will help you connect with your faith.  That connection boosts feelings of comfort, peace, and joy, and lowers stress levels. 
•SUPERCHARGE YOUR SELF-CARE: Do a 3-Minute Gratitude/Planner Journal Exercise. Take one minute to write down three things you are grateful for.  Take another minute to write down three things you can do to get you closer to a goal.  Take one minute to write down something you can do to make someone smile.  Gratitude and daily planning help set you up for a positive, productive day!  

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS & VISUALIZATION: 3 MINUTES

•Before you get out of bed, walk through your day in your mind. What are all of the big and little things you nee to accomplish? 
•As you run through your day in your mind, Imagine yourself working through everything beautifully!  See yourself handling all situations effectively, and with a happy energy.  Picture yourself crossing things off your To Do List, and being proud of your accomplishments. 
•This way of thinking allows your brain to create a map for navigating through the day. Even if things don't always go exactly as you had imagined, you're still arming yourself with positive thoughts for a positive path. 
•SUPERCHARGE YOUR SELF-CARE:  Create a vision board! Find pictures of the things you want---what do you really want? Get clear on that. Get the pictures, and add them to a board or frame where you can see them often.  Seeing those things will motivate you to work for them.