How are your New Year’s resolutions going?
Even if you’ve been struggling with them, February is a great time to take on a “new year, new you” approach to your daily habits and rituals.
And one of the best ways to do this is to swap out old habits that no longer serve you with some new habits that make a BIG impact over time!
Think about it…. how many times have you set a New Year’s resolution and started off really strong with it, but within a few weeks you abandoned your goal? I’ve done this myself. We’ve all been there, right?
How are some people able to make New Year’s resolutions and stick with them in the long term, while others struggle to stick with theirs?
That’s the million-dollar question!
It’s super-common to make huge resolutions at the beginning of a new year, and then become disheartened when we don’t stick to them.
The energy behind our intentions can get stuck when we feel like we’re forcing ourselves to stick to certain regimens that don’t feel natural for us… and often, we then end up shaming ourselves when we fail to stay on track with our goals.
This is because, when you choose a big, huge resolution AND force yourself into an overwhelming new regimen, you are pretty much doomed for failure.
People who are able to stick to their new year’s resolutions, on the other hand, only choose one or two small, simple but key habits to begin implementing that don’t feel totally overwhelming. Do this, and you are sure to succeed!
Take a look at the way you start your mornings, which is one of the most important times of the day for creating new habits.
Sometimes our comfortable morning rituals actually engage us in habits that increase our negativity and decrease our energy for the day.
Do you grab your phone and begin scrolling through the news or social media as soon as you wake up? Or guzzle down coffee on an empty stomach? Doing things like this aren’t bad, it’s just that they may not be giving you all of the health and vitality you desire!
Five morning rituals for increasing energy and creativity
Here are five new morning rituals that, if you begin implementing them, can help infuse you with more energy and creativity throughout the rest of your day:
NEW MORNING RITUAL #1: A Meditation App Instead of the News or Social Media
So many of us have the instinct to reach for our phone immediately upon waking up, and this usually involves checking emails or reading the news.
We bombard our brains first thing in the morning with stressful communication and with troubling, fear-inducing happenings around the world… and this can set a negative tone for the day.
If your first instinct of the day is to reach for the phone, that’s fine! But try listening to a five-minute meditation or reading a daily affirmation on your device instead.
Notice the sense of gratitude, calm and well-being that this new morning ritual can bring, and how much more easily you are able to kickstart your day from a place of positivity.
NEW MORNING RITUAL #2: An Appreciative Morning Shower Instead of an Anxious One
Most people shower in the morning. What are you thinking about or feeling during those few minutes of solo time? Are you fixating on your long to-do list for the day? A part of your body you dislike? Or something a co-worker or friend said the day before that hurt your feelings?
The great news is that once you notice what you’re paying attention to during this time, you can consciously turn your thought pattern around!
For example, instead of thinking critical thoughts about a part of your body you don’t like, you can choose to send that part of your body a blast of love and appreciation.
Or you can choose to imagine something amazing that you would love to have happen to you later on in the day, such as getting a great parking spot, or having supportive, productive conversations with co-workers. Or visualizing yourself eating a healthy lunch, or leaving the gym after a great workout!
You can also choose to think about and give gratitude for your loved ones, and for the many other things that make your life wonderful.
Starting your morning with love and appreciation will naturally raise your positive emotions and lower your anxiety for the rest of the day!
NEW MORNING RITUAL #3: Leaving the House “Calm Vs. Hectic”
As we all know, the energy at home before getting out of the house is usually frantic and rushed.
There are many things in the morning that we do as quickly as possible as we try to get out the door, like making kids’ lunches, unloading the dishwasher or putting on makeup.
Instead of allowing yourself to rush around in this way, try waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual. Use this extra time to enjoy the sunrise, take a relaxing shower or give a family member a hug and loving words.
You will immediately feel a greater sense of peace as your head out for the day!
NEW MORNING RITUAL #4: A Smoothie Instead of Skipping Breakfast
Do you frequently skip breakfast? Or maybe you eat on the run, or reach for something not-so-healthy. When we’re super busy, it’s so easy to do, isn’t it?
Making a smoothie is one of my favorite ways to nourish my body at the start of each day. They’re healthy, energizing and so easy to make. Oh, and they’re super delicious, and can be prepared in 5 minutes flat!
Here’s a recipe I personally love, but you can customize yours with your favorite fruits and veggies. The key is having a nutritious power breakfast that you enjoy.
For two smoothie servings, blend the following ingredients thoroughly in a blender or Magic Bullet:
- 1 cup coconut milk or water (or any other milk you prefer)
- 1 banana (or swap for a handful of frozen berries)
- 2 big handfuls of spinach (or more!)
- 1 scoop plain or vanilla protein powder of your choice
- A handful of ice
- For a boost of healthy omega-3s, try adding 1 tablespoon of olive oil, flaxseed oil, flax or chia seeds.
Use organic ingredients if possible. The idea is to load up on as many crucial vitamins and minerals as possible so you can power through your day being your best self.
And most importantly, try to really ENJOY your smoothie rather than gulping it down in a hurry. Take a pause, sit down if possible and savor both your smoothie and the moment before starting the rest of your day.
NEW MORNING RITUAL #5: Lemon Water Instead of, or Before Coffee
Many people drink coffee or caffeinated tea first thing in the morning. Both of these beverages can dehydrate your body, and this is actually the time of day when your body is already dehydrated after sleeping.
In the morning, your body is calling for fresh water!
You can absolutely still have your coffee, but instead, drink and hydrate with some lemon water BEFORE drinking the coffee.
Lemons are a natural energy booster and are high in vitamin c. They also have an alkalizing effect on the body, preventing the body from becoming an acidic environment that disease more easily thrives in.
Alkalize and hydrate your body with lemon water first thing in the morning, and within just a few days, you’ll find you have a lot more energy throughout the day.
I suggest squeezing half a lemon into about eight ounces of purified water and voila! Your immune system is boosted, your pH levels are balanced, and you’re ready to thrive for the day!
You can drink lemon water any time of day, but I love the healthy kickstart it gives my day when I drink it first thing in the morning 🙂
No matter what your New Year’s resolutions are, making sure you begin each new day with a mindful, healthy start will help you stick with your resolutions for 2019.
Instead of attempting to make big, huge, massive changes to your routine, which can be very challenging to stick to, remember that by making a few small, simple changes, you can positively impact your entire year and life!
Out of the five morning rituals I’ve just shared with you, which one will you make a part of the start of your day going forward?
Or is there a different morning ritual you’ve decided to adopt for this new year?
Share your answer with me in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!
Also, I’ve created a super fun way to be supported in the process of making small little healthy lifestyle changes that make a big impact long term.
It’s a 28 day challenge called Project Lighten Up, you can click on the link below to discover more!
I listen to my guided meditation to set the tone for the day.
Hi Jennifer…I try to start my days with a meditation of your mums or a calm contemplative grateful ponder at my beautiful view then often have a smoothie using your recipe! Love it! And are you doing a project lighten up series 2 for those of us who did one recently?????and do you have a morning meditation to share?
Lemon water!