The morning is an excellent time to incorporate more mindfulness into our day. Mornings are typically calm and quiet, making them ideal for slowing down and paying attention. Mindfulness practice does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. We can cultivate a frame of mind for the rest of the day by making a few simple changes to our morning routine through online therapy.
Here are five practices to help you wake up more mindfully.
- Take two minutes to breathe.
We don’t need a formal meditation practice to reap the benefits of paying attention to our breath mindfully.
While I meditate every day and encourage others to do the same, there is also great power in simply taking a minute or two to breathe in the morning.
As soon as you awaken, lie flat on your back and breathe. Breathe for at least three breath cycles. Take note of how your breath feels. Take note of how your body is feeling. Take note of where your thoughts are going. Don’t judge anything, and don’t cling to anything. Simply be aware and let go. Take Online therapy from an online counsellor to consult about your breathing issues.
- Journal
What makes journaling so effective is that you can tailor it to your specific needs.
You can use either a pen and paper or your phone. You can either write about what you’re grateful for or plan your day. Whatever method you use, whatever you write about, morning journaling is a great way to be more present and pay attention to your life.
Journaling is an excellent way to sit quietly and pay attention to your mind and body. How are your thoughts behaving? How do you feel in your body? What feelings are you having? Make a note of them. This is an excellent time to consider your purpose, consider your path, and make a plan for the day. This practice allows me to check in with myself before the chaos of the day begins, to get some thoughts straightened out and out of my head, and to gain some clarity about how I am and what the day will entail.
This is a powerful way to begin your day, and it will lead to you moving through it more mindfully.
- Consumption with awareness
Again, this is a practice that can be tailored to your specific needs.
I enjoy listening to motivational podcasts and reading good nonfiction books. The key is to be aware of what you allow into your mind first thing in the morning.
Rather than reading the news, scrolling through social media, or checking emails, spend some time-consuming information that will benefit your long-term growth and allow you to begin the day on your own terms. Before the chaos of the day begins and you are bombarded with stressful and negative information, try to include positive and uplifting content.
- Coffee
Coffee provides an excellent opportunity to be more mindful in the morning.
Water is being boiled, the beans are being ground, and the water is being poured. The scents, the steam, and the warmth. There are numerous aspects of this process to which you can pay attention. This is a very simple procedure that will return you to the present moment.
I pause every time I drink a cup of coffee. I can feel the warmth in my hands. I observe the rising steam. I inhale the aroma. My first few sips are deliberate and slow.
Then I go back to drinking normally. This does not have to be a time-consuming process. Even a minute or two of mindfulness before you begin drinking will provide enormous benefits.
- Movement
I always feel extremely present during and after exercise. Movement allows us to gain a deeper understanding of who we are and what it’s like to be in this body right now. You can’t help but notice the movement of your breath in and out of your lungs. The warmth of the sun on your skin. The grass under your feet.
Morning movement is extremely beneficial, and it can be more meditative than meditation itself.
You are present because movement forces you to be present at the moment, within yourself. You are alive and well. You have a strong connection with your body. You can sense tension and where your body is requesting more attention and love. This is what mindfulness is all about.
If you feel you or your loved one are facing trouble starting your day, feel free to consult with the best psychologist in India and take Online Therapy at an affordable rate. You can also take individual counseling, and Relationship Counselling to address other mental health concerns and relationship issues.
