morning routine | The Chatty Cat

I have been so mentally drained these past few weeks and have been trying my best to have a morning routine that keeps me sane and grounded. Here is what I have been doing that has been working best for me.

I get up and still make a coffee every morning. I do make sure I drink water first thing in the morning as I keep a water bottle by my bed but I still force myself out of bed at around the same time every day to make myself coffee.

Then, I fight the urge to back into the bed and go right outside. I try to get outside and soak up some sunlight first thing in the morning for a walk and listen to music or a podcast. This always calms my nerves and anxiety just getting the fresh air and some very light exercise as I don’t have the motivation to go on a hard run just yet.

I typically try to walk for about 30 minutes which is usually how long my podcasts last for and then I head back inside to try and make some breakfast.

I eat whatever I am feeling like as I don’t have to rush to get into the office, and as I am eating I usually check my work emails and such.

After I eat is when I usually stretch, do yoga, and meditate. Usually I do yoga for over an hour but lately I have been doing about 20 minutes of a yoga sequence and meditating for about 5 minutes at the end of the session.

Then to wrap up my morning I usually do a fun activity which can be anything from painting, dancing around to my favorite music, or having a bath… yes I said what I said. I got a Japanese soaking tub and it has been working wonders for my mood to soak in some salts. It has been a pretty fun activity for me to do in the middle of the day and boosts my mood to begin the second leg of the day.

And that’s it! What have your mornings been looking like lately?

Dealing with anxiety means I can’t just jump out of bed, throw on some clothes and run out the door. I’ve quickly realized if my mornings are not peaceful and low key, then I am setting myself up for an anxiety attack on my way to work.

So here are the simple things I do to stay grounded and get ready for any busy day:

Drink Water

I drink water as soon as I can when I wake up. I take my medication in the morning so I have to drink water but I keep my water bottle right by my bed so I can wake up and take some gulps of the good stuff.

Take A Deep Breath

Research shows that our bodies are actually low on oxygen in the morning. Obviously more than one deep breath might be needed but the simple reminder to breathe deep before you step off your bed and into the world can do wonders.

Stretch/Yoga

I do a quick 10 to 30 minute yoga session in the morning before I move onto anything else. It is a moment to thank my body and be grateful for it. It also allows me to stay grounded for the day and is used to mainly clear my mind as I stretch out my body that spent 8 hours or more lying down.

Make Breakfast and Coffee/Tea

This has been a new thing for me because I used to swear I was never hungry in the morning. I always thought I did not need breakfast, just coffee or tea (also pro-tip drink that de-caf instead!). However, since listening more to my body and getting on my anxiolytic medication, I started to realize I do need breakfast to get me through the day. It provides me with the energy I need to be able to get my morning tasks done without extreme exhaustion and has made the morning time more enjoyable. I usually enjoy toast, bread, and fruit with the occasional avocado.

Reading or Journaling

Usually this activity happens during my breakfast while I am listening to some soft, chill music. This allows me to think about what I want to get out of the day or I can choose to get wrapped up in a story other than the stories in my head. It is just an activity that truly allows me to get out of my head and do something tangible.

And that’s it! Very simple and relaxing to start my day before I shower and head out for the day (of course please get ready before you end the morning routine). Having this routine down has really made me feel more in control of my days and therefore my life, keeping my anxiety in check.

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The Chatty Cat

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