Hi Sunshine,
How do you start your day? Is your first thought one that immediately leaves you stressed? Do you spend your mornings feeling frazzled?
How many times have you woken up, immediately checked your phone, sent an email, then a text? Maybe you turned on your TV, checked Facebook and Instagram, freaked out over something you read, and felt bad about something you said?
Then you have to feed the kids and the dog and pack lunches. You pour a third cup of very strong coffee and send another email—all before 7am. Is that really how you want to live your life?
Your Morning Routines Shape Your Days
Now I know we’re busy people, but can you see how a schedule like this could kickstart adrenaline? I sure can. I have my own variation of this story and it’s just as chaotic. When I hit the ground running, I generally feel unstable. And that’s why I want to help you rethink your morning habits with your well-being in mind. So without further ado, here are some morning ritual ideas to help you start your week the right way.
#1 Start Your Morning the Night Before
The best morning rituals start the night before. Write down your to-do list before you go to bed. Spending time writing down any important task(s) you need to complete the night before helps you wake up and start your day with intention. Believe me, it will make a big difference in your daily life.
#2 Use a Gentle Alarm
If you need to set an alarm, make sure it’s soft and sweet. There’s nothing worse for your adrenals than the blaring sound of an obnoxious alarm that immediately leaves you feeling stressed. Instead, choose something like a subtle chime that slowly brings you back into consciousness. Good morning, angel.
#3 Begin Each Morning with a Positive Outlook
Our first moments are our most open and sacred. They are the bridge between the subconscious mind and consciousness. If you’re like me, it probably takes a few minutes to feel present and in your body. You don’t have to be a morning person to kickstart your day with some positive thinking.
This is the perfect time to connect with your soul. Rather than tuning into the outside noise, go inside first. Silently give thanks and show yourself some much-deserved love. Begin each morning by blessing your day. How lovely, right?
Here’s an example of what I say upon waking: “Thank you for another day on this glorious planet. May I be happy, healthy, grateful, kind, and loving today. May I be of service to myself and others. Thank you. I love you. Have a beautiful day, sweet Kris.”
This simple morning ritual truly changes everything. It helps shift our perceptions about ourselves and the world around us. So much of our focus is often on what we don’t have or what’s missing in our relationships, jobs, or overall well-being. We wake up ready to judge and criticize. Wouldn’t you rather immerse yourself in happiness?
#4 Set an Intention Every Morning
I encourage you to allow daily gratitude, prayer, and blessings to shift that. While there may be circumstances in our lives that we can’t change, nothing can take away our freedom to choose our own thoughts. Your mind is your sovereign space and you are the leader of that kingdom.
This fundamental truth is one of the most important revelations we can have about our power. Love, peace, war, forgiveness—it all stems from a thought. And though it may seem small to begin with thanks, in truth, it’s revolutionary. Setting an intention every morning helps you start your day focused on the good that lies ahead.
#5 Drink a Juice, Smoothie, or Glass of Lemon Water Before Coffee
People always ask me if I drink coffee in the morning. The answer? Sometimes! But I always feel better when I put something healthy in my stomach before my tea or coffee. Drinking a smoothie with good fats and protein or a green juice loaded with vitamins and minerals helps me avoid overdoing the caffeine and all the crashes that come with it.
Try this tip, I swear it will change your day! And don’t forget to drink a big ol’ glass of water with lemon upon rising. The benefits are insurmountable and your liver and bowels will thank you.
#6 Take a Few Minutes to Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Eating breakfast every morning as part of your daily routine is a great way to start your day. Try out some of these healthy meals:
Starting your morning with breakfast makes a positive impact on the rest of the day.
#7 Write in a Gratitude Journal
Another great morning ritual is to write morning pages. One of the best ways to get to know yourself and practice loving kindness is to write about your thoughts and feelings. Talk to yourself on the page. Ask questions and listen for the answers.
If you have nothing to say, write “I have nothing to say” over and over until you do. Or try something like “If I did have something to share, what would it be?” Just get the conversation going. You’d be surprised how impactful a five-minute journal session can have on your entire day.
#8 Incorporate Morning Meditation into Your Routine
Before you roll out of bed and dive into your morning routine, take a few moments to take some deep breaths. Sitting in silence is a great way to embrace the healing space between thoughts. I always feel so comforted when I embrace meditation in my morning routine.
If you’re new to this practice, just sit in a comfortable position for 10 minutes and focus on your breath. When a thought comes (and it will), acknowledge it by saying something like “thinking” to yourself and then try to let it go (that may not be possible right away—don’t worry if that’s the case). You can also use counting or a mantra to anchor your attention. Try counting from 1-10. Again, if a thought comes, pause, say “thinking” and resume where you left off.
An example of a mantra I like to use is “I am love.” Do whatever works for you and don’t be hard on yourself. I recently took a workshop with one of my favorite teachers, Pema Chodron. Pema is a Buddhist nun who has been meditating for more than 40 years.
I nearly fell off my cushion when she joked about being terrible at meditating! (She has the best sense of humor and is one of the kindest, gentlest teachers.) She shared this with us so we would stop beating ourselves up for being sucky meditators. If Pema can have compassion for her practice, so can we.
Psst! If you want to dive right in and try meditating (or just take a new meditation for a spin), I’ve got a little gift for you. Fill out the form below for your free meditation!
I have a pint glass of water with a spoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, followed by a run/walk for 30 minutes most days and the days that I do not get to do this, I miss it so much. I find after this routine I am energised for the day and can take on all that is before me.
I have been trying to meditate a little bit each morning and I do think it helps. I am not experienced at it so I would love some guidance.
How have I not known about your site before? Wow! You may be seeing a ton of comments, I feel like I’ve hit a diamond in the rough. Your site has everything I’ve been looking for. 🙂
Awesome love it thanks for sharing.
Best thing I ever did = Get the “Yoga wake up” app and allow it to soothe me gradually into conciousness every morning. Prior to discovering this absolute gem, I had the “beep, beep, BEEP!” alarm.
I have noticed I awaken calmer, more relaxed, less anxious, and glide more effortlessly into my beautiful day.
Beautiful.
I often ask myself what I absolutely HAVE to do today, then leave the rest to being in the present and letting the days activities flow., the daily routines, ,,Susan
How. much lemon w/hot or cold water should you drink in the am?
Is it better to take probiotics in the am or pm? Does it matter?
I’ve tried meditations, center points hololsync solution, master key dr alex Loyd, and JC and angels, I get goosebumps shiver sweat chills from the last two and the book healing codes, eft and beautiful love and happiness writing, u might know her she KC, another set of initials I love, now I just have to love me, thanks Kris’s, Jeremy Michael Tobias
Thank you for the wonderful morning rituals. May I suggest inserting “meditation or prayer”? I know that the words you note using ARE a prayer, (I think so, at least), and naturally each individual will choose what they say and how they do this But I think since you’re giving basic yet important suggestions, praying to God (people’s choice of Who this is) can be specifically noted as another choice, well- proven to help in excellent, healthy ways, in addition to the choice of meditation. Hope that makes sense. Love you, Kris!!!
Hi Kris, nice article! There are some nice tips in it. I especially like the first one 🙂 I recently changed my alarm to a more soothing one (wind chimes) and it really does make a difference!
My morning rituals include a combination of some sort of physical exercise, like yoga, meditation and drinking green tea. Helps to have a fresh start for the morning and it’s also great against stress.
Thanks for the cool article!
Istvan
Kris, you are the best! I enjoy your emails immensely. They are creative & informative & oh so doable! God bless you❤️You always make my day:)
Busted! I’m one of those morning coffee and tv junkies. If I know it’s not good for me why do I keep doing it? I think it (falsely) makes me fèel connected to the world, but I’d rather be connected to my radiant soul and God! Thanks for the inspiration.
I start with lemon juice and apple cider vi what in some water
Then you off to yoga whilst drinking a litre or 2 more of water with some magnesium
Then home to get ready for work
Breakfast is at work / piece of fruit with cinnamon and pysylluim (sp?) husk and lots of water in it /or almond milk
Yummmmm
This routine keeps me happy, calm and mentally aware, focussed and sane whilst keeping away any demons ! Lol
It’s my non negotiable time.
I dont know about you guys but I like to jam out to some funky, happy music. That is a great way to start the day. Music is a must in my world. Thanks Kris for these great tips.
Thank you, Kris, for sharing your story and your inspiration.
i wake up early and go to gim before working .i do exercise every day .i enjoy .it .before it i pray and eat breakfast.