How to Create a Morning Ritual: 9 Things to Do Every Day

Most of us spend the entire day fulfilling the needs of someone else. We check our emails. Rush to work or rush around at home, if that is where we work. Grab a cup of coffee (or two, or three) to stay awake.But we often neglect the most important person in the picture.

This blog is about how to create space for you. Take an hour each day for your morning ritual. Here’s how to create a list of things to do every day.

What if I Don’t Have Time?

You’re probably busy. But your morning ritual is one of the most important parts of your day.

You have physical and mental batteries to charge up. Before you can use energy in your day – giving your boss what she needs, taking care of the kids, supporting your partner – you need to recharge your batteries first.

Morning rituals aren’t a luxury. They help you make sure you have more to give.

The Two Most Important Words: Be Proactive

Remember these two words. Maybe put them on your wall. During your morning ritual, set yourself up to create the day you want, rather than react to what the day throws at you.

How to Create a Morning Ritual

Before we dive into specific techniques, make note of this.

There are many ideas you can adopt for a morning ritual, but your preferences are unique to you. Treat the list of ideas below as a template rather than an instruction manual. Do what feels good to you and sets your day up best.

Here’s a video that can help explain why morning rituals are so important. It focuses on success rather than health, but the idea is the same. A morning ritual sets you up for a healthy and fulfilling day.

What to Include in Your Morning Routine Each Day

1. Smile

Appreciate that you’re alive!

2. Stretch

Try starting your day with sun salutations. You’ve been inactive for hours. Yoga gently warms up your muscles.The yoga position called “cobra” which is part of sun salutation, has been shown to stimulate your feeling of confidence and to reduce stress hormones.

3. Breath

Many of us don’t breathe deeply enough. We use only the top part of our lungs and leave stale air in our bodies.

Try a three-part breath. Breathe in and feel the air rush in your belly, then the bottom of your lungs, and finally the top of your lungs. Exhale, feeling the air leave in reverse order. Repeat 5 times.

4. Write down 5 things you’re grateful for

Being grateful makes you happier. Be specific. Visualize in your mind the things you write down.

5. Meditate

Oprah Winfrey meditates for 20 minutes every morning. Here’s what she says about it:

“I walk away feeling fuller than when I come in. Full of hope, contentment, deep joy. Knowing that even in the daily craziness, there is still a constant sea of stillness. Only in that space can you create your best work and your best life.”

The more you practice meditation, the better you at reaching that place of peacefulness.

6. Visualize the day you want

What would make today a good day? Consciously define you want to accomplish today and make a plan to do it.

7. Work out in the morning

It’s what Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Ariana Huffington, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, and Ellen DeGeneres all have in common. Exercise makes you more alert.