If there is a way I use to check how balanced I am on any given day is by paying attention to the way it started. If I wake up lethargic and skip all my morning rituals, I know I will soon need a break to reengage. On the contrary, if I wake up on time and get out of bed full of excitement, I know I am at my best.
Although the way our morning starts can strongly influence our productivity levels throughout the day, this is not what this article is about. And the 5 AM on the title has little to do with the Club, but more with the fact that I need to be at work early.
Building my morning routine around rituals helps me to establish some control over how the day unfolds, despite how I felt waking up. It keeps me tranquil, energized and ensures that I am less reactive and more responsive to whatever happens later in the day.
My morning rituals are inspired by the book: The Miracle Morning. In the past, I have watched multiple youtube videos on the morning routines of successful people I admire. Some simply seemed exaggerated, others mundane, and I actually tried a few, but nothing felt more meaningful than the insights Hal Elrod shared in this book.
Weekends tend to be more relaxed, so I will be describing my working days for the purpose of this article.
The Night Before: Setting-up
This is literally my foundation. To reduce friction in the morning, I need to make sure I serve my lunch, prepare my breakfast, and once everything is on the fridge, go organize my outfit for the next day.
At 10 PM my alarm goes off - it is time for bed. I engage my Sleep Cycle app to optimize my wake-up time and turn off the lights.
Sleep Cycle gives you all the tools you need to understand, improve, and enjoy sleep. Read more.
05H00 AM: Show-time
Sleep Cycle gradually wakes me up on time during my lightest sleep phase. It doesn’t feel like waking up with an alarm clock.
I slowly rise, turn on the lights and make my bed - I got this from a famous speech by the Navy Seal William McRaven. Once the bed is made, I walk to the kitchen for a glass of water, followed by a refreshing face wash.
Around 05:10, my yoga gets rolled out and I practice some basic asanas for 20 minutes. Yoga, with its mental and physical benefits, readies me for the day ahead. To complement, I add 10 minutes of a no-equipment workout for strength.
My favourite yoga channel: Yoga For Cure Videos
10-minute morning workout: Video
Following the workout, I meditate for 10 minutes. I used Headspace for years, now I often play this youtube video as a guide. Post-meditation, I pray and read the Daily Verse from the Bible app.
I wind down with affirmations and visualizations I have saved on my phone’s notes and jot down 3 to 5 things I am the most grateful for that day.
“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.” - Brian Weiner
06H00 AM: Getting Ready
Straightforward. I go for a shower and then dress up for work. Something I started doing after my yoga retreat in India; tongue scraping a concept from Ayurveda.
07H15 AM: Leave To Work
Ready and refreshed, I gather my lunch bag and head out. The early start also allows for a smooth commute, and by the time I reach the office, I'm fueled with vitality and intentionality.
While some days are more challenging to adhere to this routine, missing it for too many days in a row is a call that I need a break.
Create a morning routine that works for you!
Reference(s):
Sleep Cycle (n.d.). How Sleep Cycle Works. Retrieved from https://www.sleepcycle.com/how-sleep-cycle-works/
Elrod, H. (2012, December 7). The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM). Hal Elrod.