Those first few minutes and hours after you wake up set the tone for the rest of your day. Too often, it probably feels like a mad rush to get out the door with just enough time to make it to work. If most of your days resemble this scenario, you’re not doing yourself any favors — especially when you’re in Recovery. Racing through your morning without taking a breath can leave you feeling stressed and unprepared for what lies ahead.
A morning routine helps you start your day on the best foot possible. It also ensures you begin this fresh, new day with as few triggers as possible that could cause a relapse.
If you want to feel more productive, organized and confident in your Recovery, here is how and why you should have a morning routine.
The Importance of a Morning Routine in Recovery
Most people shy away from the mere thought of a morning routine. After all, who has the time, patience or energy? Wouldn’t it be better to hit the snooze button and catch a few more z’s?
A morning routine isn’t about cramming more stuff into your day or checking things off a to-do list. These are daily habits to practice first thing so that you start your day with peace, confidence and a positive outlook.
If life and Recovery have you feeling stressed or overwhelmed, here are some benefits of a morning routine:
- Reduced stress: When you have a planned approach to start your day, you spend less time thinking and more time doing.
- Less likely to forget something important: When you rush, you’re bound to forget something in the hustle and bustle. It could be something simple such as your cell phone or something crucial, including a presentation for work. A routine reduces that risk.
- Healthier habits mean a healthier you: A morning routine involves making good choices for yourself. When you start the day taking care of your needs, it creates a space and time that’s just for you. This will lead to a happier, healthier all-around outlook.
How to Start Your Day Off Healthy
Chances are, you’ve been following certain habits for many years now. If you’re stuck in a rut, you may not even know how to create a morning routine. There is no right or wrong way — it’s all about consistency. However, here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Personalize Your Routine
Start by asking yourself what you want to accomplish before you leave the house. Do you want time to drink your coffee in peace before the kids wake up? Do you want to focus on your hair and makeup? Will a short workout help you feel better?
Figure out what’s important to you and write it down. Then, plot out a tentative time table so that you know how long you’ll need to fit these priorities into your morning. This should give you a good idea of when you should set your alarm each morning.
2. Prep Your Morning Before You Hit the Hay
You don’t need to cram everything into the early hours of your day. You can set your morning up for success by doing some tasks before you go to bed. That could mean hard-boiling a bunch of eggs or laying out what you want to wear. Figure out some things you can get done the night before to optimize your time in the morning.
3. Nourish Your Spiritual, Physical and Mental Health
Self-care is often the first thing to go when you’re rushing to get out the door in the morning. However, this principle is essential to your Recovery. Find time to address your spiritual, physical and mental health. As soon as you wake up, take a few moments to meditate or pray. Take time to eat a satisfying breakfast. Give yourself a few moments of quiet time and perhaps review what you’d like to accomplish that day.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Once you’ve established your routine, simply keep it up. Doing these things day after day each morning will quickly turn into a habit. Once that occurs, you can go on autopilot, easily enjoying these healthy activities. Eventually, you may find that you have time to incorporate new positive habits into your morning routine.
Contact 7 Summit Pathways for Help
If you find yourself slipping into unhealthy habits or returning to a life of Substance Addiction, 7 Summit Pathways is here to help. We offer support throughout your Recovery journey. Contact us today or schedule your appointment to learn more about our holistic therapies and compassionate, personalized care.