How can we make sure we start the day right, even if we get out of the wrong side of bed?

These days the thoughts seem to rattle around in my head before I’ve even opened my eyes. It’s all part of the process, I guess, or the subconscious processing that these strange times seem to have accelerated.

So I’ve made a few changes to my morning routine that help me get my head in check first thing:

1. Wake up, kettle on and drink a pint of water whilst I wait for the kettle to boil (let’s face it the body always needs a drink first thing.
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2. Go outside (if you can). As I take my first sips of tea I sit on a little cushion in the garden. I soak in the sounds, the smell, the feel of the day. This morning, for example, the frogs are singing for the sunshine ☀️

3. Morning pages. Before I pick up my phone at all I’ll scrawl out 3 pages of free-writing into a little book I picked up from paper chase. I dump everything here - my weird dreams, any anxiety or fear (better to get it out and leave it here than carry it with me all day).
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4. Visualise. Close your eyes and get a clear picture of your day. It really doesn’t hurt to visualise everything going ok, or really well for that matter!
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5. Breathe. After this I’ll close my eyes for 10 minutes and focus on my breathing. I’ll let the thoughts come and go until my mind feels a little emptier, a little clearer. It helps to set a timer or you spend the whole time wondering how long you’ve sat there for.
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That’s it! Takes around 15-20 mins, no more. And the ripple effect it has on the rest of my day is frankly immeasurable.

Do you have a morning routine to help calm your mind? I’d love to hear your tips too! 🌱