How to start the day well

[Squarestones]

I used to feel I was a morning person but three kids, middle age and a stressful job have robbed my of my morning mojo. Getting to bed earlier will help and I am always trying that...by looking for ideas of ways to start my morning a bit more positively. Instead of snappy and procrastinating and

What do you do in the morning that makes you feel positive and cared for, like you've looked after yourself as well as everyone else?

I try to meditate first thing.

To be more specific, things that feel calm or nurturing, nice yoga or pilates people on YouTube I could look up, meditation apps or journal prompts. Anything sort of wellness, spiritual, all ideas welcome

I’m not eating breakfast so much now, but when I made scrambled eggs and sat down to eat them on a nice plate with a coffee, a view outside and Radio 3, that was a very good start.

Saturdays at Parkrun are lovely.

Don't fuck about with apps and YouTube, they're the whole problem. You can't gamify happiness. Just leave your phone at home and go for a morning walk.

Try 5, 10 or 15 minute morning yoga stretches with Adriene or Kassandra.

10 minute morning meditations - I like Jason Stephenson's voice.

I also make a cup of fresh coffee with frothed milk (just using a cafetiere and hand held velvetiser - no fancy machine) then put out seed for the birds and drink my coffee watching the different breeds of bird come to feed. I often put music on in the background while I do this, either soothing piano or upbeat favourite pop/rock songs.

Can't always do this first thing if you have young kids who can't be left. 5 and 10 minute You tube meditations and yoga stretches were really valuable to me when DC were young and time to myself was limited.

Bumping for the morning people ...

And thanks @CaminoPlanner that is much the problem - kids aren't that young but can't be left to their own devices too long. Short walk could work while DH is still about but he often leaves early,.it's unpredictable. But I do take the point @CoolFineDoneWicked that a walk outside would be great. I'll think on whether can get outside regularly in morning and less tech

I spend about a minute each morning when I wake lying in bed, often rotating my ankles & going over in my mind all the things in life I’m grateful for.

I started it when I was grieving & suddenly found it hard to feel grateful for things-this has massively helped me feel better

The first thing I do is have a Pint of water with half of a lemon squeezed in. It’s fantastic because it hydrates you and aids digestive function in the morning.

15-20 minutes later I have breakfast and a black coffee followed by another pint of water and vitamin supplements.

Having a stable routine first thing makes a huge difference to the foundation of your day.

I have to exercise in some way. On the very rare occasions that I don't, I am tired, grouchy all day and I over eat - so getting up for a holiday with no time to exercise before we leave for the airport, and Christmas day. These are the only days I don't start my day with weights, or yoga, or dog walking.

I have to have time to myself before the day starts too which is when I exercise.

This morning, I got up at 5, fed the dogs, did my physio while I listening to a podcast, did my ten min abs workout with Lauren Fitter (it's post natal but brilliant for core and back), did a ten min kassandra yoga, took the dogs out for a very quick wee walk and then showered.

This is typical. Or I use Bodyfit by Amy workouts, or caroline girvan if I don't have much time.

If i don't exercise I feel more and more tired and cross. I have to stretch and un kink and move.

I have a small covered area outside my back door where I've put a really comfortable seat. Opposite the seat I've hung bird feeders. Every morning before the world gets up I sit there with a glass of hot water and lemon (a coffee at weekends) and listen to the silence whilst watching the birds come to the feeders. It's a moment, just for me and nature and sets the tone for my whole day.

I have a quick coffee and then get out with the dogs for a hour or more. It sets me up nicely, being outside in fresh air and enjoying the peace and quiet.

I think getting outside early in the day, even just in the garden makes a huge difference to circadian rhythm and really helps your sleep.

I also really enjoy my breakfast routine, I first have a small bowl of walnuts and pumpkin seeds, I then have rye crackers with goats cheese, wild salmon, capers and brocolli sprouts, then a black coffee, the apple with peanut butter followed by another black coffee. I fit eating around getting children ready for school.

I find it gives me sustained energy and keeps me full until lunch.

A few months ago we got a lumie sunrise alarm clock, just the basics one but it's a game changer! It wakes you up over half an hour with the sunrise slowly and then an alarm if your choice goes off after half an hour (I have birds setting) but I'm always awake about half way through the sunrise bit. So for example I need to make sure I'm awake by 6.10 so I ser the alarm for 6.10 so the noise comes on at 6.10 but the gentle sunrise starts at 5.40 and is usually bright enough to wake me by 6am and it's so much nicer waking up to the light than Rona blaring alarm clock it feels so much more natural and I've noticed my mood in the morning has improving I'm more perky.

I also get a blast of fresh air in the morning eithwr on the back step or just open a window and stick my head out 😂

Drink a large glass of water. Make the bed. Tidy up.