The Importance of a Morning Ritual

Have you repeatedly heard the benefits of creating a morning ritual but found yourself either unmotivated to begin or too comfortable to get out of bed? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Beginning with intention allows you to cultivate a greater sense of vitality to bring into your day.

Whether you are a night owl or morning person, learning to set time aside for yourself each morning can have a profound impact on how you carry yourself through your day. And I’m not talking about the morning routine many of us have: waking up late and rushing to get changed and out the door. A morning ritual should be a sacred time you have cultivated that empowers you to go through each day with intention and clarity. Yes, hitting snooze and lounging a few extra minutes can feel great in the moment, but designing a morning that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit will create more peace and vitality in the end, leaving you feeling better overall.

Designing a morning that aligns with what feels right for you is imperative, so be sure to create a space that resonates with you rather than simply following a routine that works for someone else. Remember, what works for one person may not work for you, and that’s okay. Some people have extremely detailed mornings and others simply take five minutes to express gratitude for the life they have been given. Whatever you choose is perfect for you and will create a snowball effect of intention and self-honoring choices the rest of your day.

Looking to begin a morning ritual but still need a little inspiration? Here are some examples of morning rituals to help you get started.

Deepak Chopra, MD, wakes up at 4:00 am and meditates for two full hours before practicing yoga. His morning mantra is “Restful, alert mind. Joyful, energetic body. Loving, compassionate heart. But most important...lightness of being.”

Arianna Huffington says that what she doesn’t do is just as important as what she does include in her morning routine. “When I wake up, I don’t start the day by looking at my smartphone. Instead, once I’m awake, I take a minute to breathe deeply, be grateful, and set my intention for the day.” Huffington also reportedly includes up to thirty minutes of meditation and thirty minutes on a stationary bike followed by a few yoga stretches.

Mehmet Oz, MD, wakes up around 6 am and does a seven-minute yoga routine. At around 8 am, he’ll have a breakfast of yogurt and blueberries. He suggests to “not make any decisions in your morning if you can avoid it” and to “automate your morning.”

Tiffany Cruikshank, yoga celebrity and author of Meditate Your Weight, begins her days around 7 am and sets the tone for her day with a partner meditation. Next, she has a smoothie, practices yoga, and works on creative projects. Like Huffington, she avoids checking email or social media early in the day.

As you can see, everyone has a ritual that helps set the tone for the day ahead. Knowing exactly how the first few minutes of your day will look is a tool we can implement that will leave us feeling empowered as we face the rest of our day. It’s important to cultivate this sacred time for yourself and begin each day with intention.