Creating Your Sacred Morning Ritual

There is something so magical and peaceful about getting up before the sunrise, before most people are awake, listening to the birds sing their melody, and having that dedicated ‘me’ time.

Throughout most of my adult life, I’ve been a morning person and attribute most, if not all, of my health to my morning practices and rituals. 

And while I was going through some tough times in my 20s, I found so much healing and solace in the early hours of the mornings. 

My mornings are like my anchor. Whatever happens during the day I feel better equipped to handle when I have given myself the time and space to take care of my needs first. 

Carving a sacred time dedicated for my emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health first thing in the morning has been pivotal in my overall wellbeing, and has had a positive impact on how I am able to show up for others.

I’m here to share with you a few tips on how you can create a Sacred Morning Ritual that fits your needs and life circumstances.

There are many benefits of having a morning practice. Some of them include: reducing stress levels, connecting with your own needs, gets you grounded and settled for the day. 

Put simply, it’s about setting yourself up to receive the day with a “I can do this” attitude. 

A morning ritual also allows you to start your morning with intention, rather than letting the day run away from you. 

You control the day; the day doesn’t control you. 

This positive feeling of being on top of things boosts your confidence in yourself and ability to handle whatever comes your way.

As a holistic wellness coach, it’s important for me to always look at a situation and person from a holistic point of view. So let’s look at your morning practice taking into account all aspects of your Being: Mind, Heart, Body and Spirit.

Here are a few suggested practices that speak to the wholeness of who we are, that you can integrate into your morning, to set you up powerfully for the day ahead:

1. Affirmations - Primes your mind with a “yes I can do this” attitude. Ie: “today, I get to serve with love”; “I am ready to handle anything that comes my way with grace”; “I am open to receiving the blessings of this day”. 

2. Gratitude - A beautiful reminder of what you already have in your life (ie: healthy family, body, water, sunshine, job etc.) Write down 3 experiences and people you are grateful for.

3. Journalling - Putting our thoughts down on paper helps us clear out our mental chaos. It also gives us the space to become intentional about how we want to feel during our day. How do you want to feel today? What are the activities that will support you in feeling that way? 

4. Meditation - Take advantage of the serenity of the early morning to ground yourself. This can look like 2-10min of conscious breathing and/or guided meditation.

5. Hydration - Drink warm water with lemon and sea salt first thing when you get up as this will kick start your digestion system and help with elimination.

6. Clean your physical space - When our physical space is cluttered, our minds often feel the same way. What makes you feel settled? For me this means making my bed. What works for you? Whatever makes you feel more settled in your physical space, it is worth the effort.

7. Movement - Detoxify your physical body with movement that you love and enjoy (ie: walk, run, bike, pilates, yoga, dance!). Get outside to get the morning rays or just to smell the fresh air and boost your mood.

8. Healthy breakfast - Ensure you nourish yourself with a healthy breakfast, in a calm space, fully present with your food, experiencing it with all your senses, enjoying the act of eating mindfully.

When creating your Sacred Morning Ritual, it’s important to make sure you do something that you love and enjoy. You don’t want it to feel like another chore on your to-do list. 

Find one or two things that you feel will work for you to get you started.

If you put too much on your plate, you are more likely to not do anything.

Start with a quick win and work your way up from there (if you want to add more). 

Then do it. Get started tomorrow morning. Implement, integrate, revise and revisit.