Remaining calm in chaos
I think it would be safe to say we are all in the middle of a storm. A storm that none of us can predict with any amount of certainty when it will end. This storm, when it does end, well, that is a whole other matter that can cause us to have another level of anxiety and stress. With the massive uncertainty and a whole bunch of unknowns, it has given me even more reason to stick to my morning routines.
For several years I have always started my mornings in the same manner. I originally started the routines to manage my history with depression and anxiety. I am coming up on 13yrs in recovery from a substance use disorder and in those early days I was a mess.....hell my whole life was mess. I was in a different storm, but, a storm none the less. Thus, I started a few morning rituals that I carry with me to this very day. I share them with you in the hope that you start them for yourself to get you through the storm we are all weathering at this very moment.
First, I get out of bed at the same time seven days a week. Without fail I am up between 5:30-6 seven days a week. I have found this one act helps my body a lot. We need regular sleep cycles so our physical body can know what is coming. Getting up at the same time everyday I have almost naturally created the habit of going to bed at the same time also. But, since we are on morning routines.......I get up at the same time everyday.
Very first thing I do in the house is open all the blinds and curtains. 365 days a year. I don't care what the weather is. This, for me, is an anti-depressant. I let the morning light in everyday. Yes, there are mornings throughout the year that it is still dark, but, I still open it up regardless. The light will come in when it is time. I used to keep all blind and curtains closed and it made it a lot easier to do nothing with the morning, thus, everyday without fail, I open all curtains and blinds.
The morning walk. I make a cup of coffee and at the same time feed the girls. Cheba gets up when I get up so this is an easy one. Daisy, well, she likes it when I go in and carry her from the bed to the kitchen. I feed the girls breakfast and then we get ready and head out on a morning walk. 365 days a year, without fail. Rain, snow, cold, or wind, we go on the walk. It's just under a mile and has it's own magic to it every time. By getting out in the morning air I can clear my head and think about the day past, or day ahead. I get my body moving which has it's own natural positive effect on my mind.
Exercise. I mix up the next steps depending on what exercise is up for the week. Some days I just do a simple stretching routine. Other mornings I stretch and go on a run and then stretch again when I return. The fun thing about any stretching is the girls require pets during this time. But, regardless, I have some time of exercise in the morning, even if it is just the walk and good stretching. Exercise, movement of the body is one of the best anti-anxiety/anti-depressants on the market hands down.
Water and nutrition. I drink a full glass of water, sometimes two if I run, every morning first thing. Somewhere in my mix of things I do I drink water......invaluable in all ways for your physical and mental health. Always drink water first thing. Now, this is in addition to any coffee.......that water doesn't count even though it tastes amazing. Additional water is necessary. Banana everyday, without fail and then breakfast. I am not a nutrition nut and love my breakfast sandwich from Winegar's! If you can't do eat something to give your body fuel to start the day.
Reading or writing. I like to write, so I usually do some type of writing each morning. Or, if I am reading a current book I will do that. You can choose what works best for you. Make sure whatever it is it is helpful for you to start your day on a good footing. Read something uplifting or educational. Nothing negative. If writing is therapeutic for you do that.
Now, in closing, my morning routine with all of the above takes time to do. I have to get up early so I don't feel stressed that I won't get it done before I start the rest of my day. I used to only get up a half hour our so before I had to be anywhere. Not anymore, I am up a minimum of two hours before I need to leave the house. Keep that in mind right now for when we all have to go back to our normal lives. Give yourself ample time in the morning to wake up, your physical and mental sides will appreciate you for it more than you know.
This IS a great time to start doing this. This IS the perfect time to do this type of self care. You deserve this time to ensure your day is starting right. If you have kids you can still do this. When we have the grandkids up they are usually still sleeping when I am up early doing my morning routine. Or, if they wake up, I have them read or watch cartoons. It's not a big deal. Make this a priority for yourself everyday and you will see how it can have a positive effect on the rest of your day.
For several years I have always started my mornings in the same manner. I originally started the routines to manage my history with depression and anxiety. I am coming up on 13yrs in recovery from a substance use disorder and in those early days I was a mess.....hell my whole life was mess. I was in a different storm, but, a storm none the less. Thus, I started a few morning rituals that I carry with me to this very day. I share them with you in the hope that you start them for yourself to get you through the storm we are all weathering at this very moment.
First, I get out of bed at the same time seven days a week. Without fail I am up between 5:30-6 seven days a week. I have found this one act helps my body a lot. We need regular sleep cycles so our physical body can know what is coming. Getting up at the same time everyday I have almost naturally created the habit of going to bed at the same time also. But, since we are on morning routines.......I get up at the same time everyday.
Very first thing I do in the house is open all the blinds and curtains. 365 days a year. I don't care what the weather is. This, for me, is an anti-depressant. I let the morning light in everyday. Yes, there are mornings throughout the year that it is still dark, but, I still open it up regardless. The light will come in when it is time. I used to keep all blind and curtains closed and it made it a lot easier to do nothing with the morning, thus, everyday without fail, I open all curtains and blinds.
The morning walk. I make a cup of coffee and at the same time feed the girls. Cheba gets up when I get up so this is an easy one. Daisy, well, she likes it when I go in and carry her from the bed to the kitchen. I feed the girls breakfast and then we get ready and head out on a morning walk. 365 days a year, without fail. Rain, snow, cold, or wind, we go on the walk. It's just under a mile and has it's own magic to it every time. By getting out in the morning air I can clear my head and think about the day past, or day ahead. I get my body moving which has it's own natural positive effect on my mind.
Exercise. I mix up the next steps depending on what exercise is up for the week. Some days I just do a simple stretching routine. Other mornings I stretch and go on a run and then stretch again when I return. The fun thing about any stretching is the girls require pets during this time. But, regardless, I have some time of exercise in the morning, even if it is just the walk and good stretching. Exercise, movement of the body is one of the best anti-anxiety/anti-depressants on the market hands down.
Water and nutrition. I drink a full glass of water, sometimes two if I run, every morning first thing. Somewhere in my mix of things I do I drink water......invaluable in all ways for your physical and mental health. Always drink water first thing. Now, this is in addition to any coffee.......that water doesn't count even though it tastes amazing. Additional water is necessary. Banana everyday, without fail and then breakfast. I am not a nutrition nut and love my breakfast sandwich from Winegar's! If you can't do eat something to give your body fuel to start the day.
Reading or writing. I like to write, so I usually do some type of writing each morning. Or, if I am reading a current book I will do that. You can choose what works best for you. Make sure whatever it is it is helpful for you to start your day on a good footing. Read something uplifting or educational. Nothing negative. If writing is therapeutic for you do that.
Now, in closing, my morning routine with all of the above takes time to do. I have to get up early so I don't feel stressed that I won't get it done before I start the rest of my day. I used to only get up a half hour our so before I had to be anywhere. Not anymore, I am up a minimum of two hours before I need to leave the house. Keep that in mind right now for when we all have to go back to our normal lives. Give yourself ample time in the morning to wake up, your physical and mental sides will appreciate you for it more than you know.
This IS a great time to start doing this. This IS the perfect time to do this type of self care. You deserve this time to ensure your day is starting right. If you have kids you can still do this. When we have the grandkids up they are usually still sleeping when I am up early doing my morning routine. Or, if they wake up, I have them read or watch cartoons. It's not a big deal. Make this a priority for yourself everyday and you will see how it can have a positive effect on the rest of your day.
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