I don't know how else to say this other than:
how you START your day matters...
no, it REALLY matters.
I remember mornings when my sweet daughter would come barreling into our bedroom to wake me up first thing in the morning when I was in a DEAD sleep were the WORST. Because when you wake up stressed and anxious, you will likely feel that way all day. When you wake up mindfully and at peace, that will give you clarity for much of the day. And what mom doesn't need that?
Just like with most things in life, there is no one size fits all morning routine, so I suggest you personalize it to fit your life. Try to keep it simple, if you don't have a lot of time in the morning, try to squeeze a small amount of time in for movement, mindfulness and nourishment (before coffee if possible!).
Here's how to create a simple morning routine that will help you feel calm and in control throughout the day.
Think and plan ahead the night before. Children are usually begging for breakfast before we even blink. On top of that, if our kids are in school, we have lunches to prep and kids to dress, all while trying to get ourselves ready for the day too! It can be overwhelming. Whether it be a few chores, or preparing the next day's meals, try to do it the night before. Some of my best mornings and days come after planning the night before.
Get a jump start in the morning. Whatever you do, your morning mom routine should have you feeling prepared for the day. Whether you have to get up 1 hour before your kids, or 15 minutes, try to fit a little time in for yourself - I started doing this when Lucy was about 15 months old and it was a game changer for me. I wish I had started sooner - although it's not always possible with a newborn. Seriously, having a few extra minutes alone can be the difference between a happy mom and an angry one.
Depending on what you like to do, here are some ideas of how you can spend your time alone:
gentle movement/exercise
meditation/journaling
eating breakfast
reading
sitting in silence
showering
preparing breakfast
working (if you work from home)
affirmations
smiling
Personally, I spend this time doing simple stretches, journaling and sometimes eating a nourishing breakfast (alone!). I used to wake up a few hours before my daughter and husband, but that ended up being too much - I would get deep into something, then have to stop, and that just made me grumpy. Over time, I have learned that about 30-45 minutes is the perfect amount of time.
Decide what you want to devote your time to (and how much time you want to devote!) and do it. The first few weeks may be difficult (because all you want to do is sleep!), but commit to it - it will eventually become a habit.
A few more tips to include in your Mom Morning Routine:
no snooze button - remember when 'ya snooze, ya lose'
hydration - drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning
oxygen - take some deep breaths mama
light - to set your circadian rhythm
eat a nourishing meal prior to coffee - another game changer for me
For moms, morning routines really cement how the day will go. Starting off annoyed and behind leads to anxiety and stress. Starting off the day excited and at peace means… no matter what the day brings, you’ll be able to handle it with grace.
“You will never find time for anything. You must make it.”
-Charles Buston
If you're struggling creating a morning routine, check out my Budding to Blooming Program. We will spend some time together setting up a routine for you that will help set you up for success. Details below.
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