4 Simple Morning Mindfulness Practices for a Better Day
Start your day off on the right foot with these 4 simple morning mindfulness practices!
Setting an intention for your day can help to clarify your goals and get your day off to a great start. But there are a number of other things you can do in the morning to set yourself up for success. Rather than rushing through your morning (as so many of us do), and ending up feeling frazzled, stressed, and overwhelmed by afternoon, taking a few moments first thing to give your mind the space to find balance can yield benefits that will last all day.
Keep in mind that being mindful doesn’t have to involve some long, arduous process! Even just a few moments of quiet, inward focus or meditation can pay large dividends. Before you know it, these few mindful minutes will become your favorite part of the day!
Below are a few simple mindfulness practices that you can do as soon as you wake up to get yourself on the right track for the day ahead.
1.) Begin your day with 5 to 10 minutes of meditation.
Everyone knows by now that daily meditation practice is a good idea, but sitting still is harder than ever. What if we told you that was the point? First thing in the morning, practice sitting comfortably for five to 10 minutes. Close your eyes and do your best to quiet your mind. As you fidget around and annoying thoughts bubble up—great! You’re doing it right. All that matters in our meditation practice is that we show up and just sit. Everything that happens during, like thoughts and fidgets, is our body’s way of releasing stress—so welcome it all in!
2.) Set an intention for the rest of your day.
As part of your meditation, or as a separate exercise, take a morning moment to set an intention for your day. To set an effective intention, first establish present-moment awareness. Then consider something you’d like to experience more of in your life or something that you’d like to work on—like, “being open to new possibilities” or “peace.” Do your best to keep this intention in your awareness throughout the day, or circle back to it when things get tough.
3.) Honor your breath.
Morning is the perfect time to slow down and cultivate a connection to breath. Either in your meditation or for a few calm moments, do nothing but acknowledge your breath. Instead of taking it for granted, get curious about the breath—its regularity, how it moves, and how it feels. If you’d like, take one hand to your heart and one hand to your belly to feel the tactile sensations of your inhales and exhales.
4.) Use a journal to release stress and stay grateful.
Take five minutes to journal in the morning, and watch your day feel lighter and more intentional. Find a comfortable place to jot down the thoughts clouding your mind. Then list out a few things you’re grateful for. Tapping into gratitude is the easiest way to open ourselves to abundance for the rest of the day.
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