5 Quick And Easy Morning Rituals That Will Completely Change Your Day (For The Better)

Mornings are a hard time for almost all of us. But tweaking just a few tiny things in your routine can have an incredibly beneficial effect on your day and your mood. Here are 5 new rituals to try that can greatly improve your daily experience.

1. Drink lemon water.

The biggest and most beneficial advantage of lemon water is digestion. Drinking water in the morning even without lemon is key in order to flush the digestive system and restore hydration. Adding lemon helps to stimulate proper stomach acid production and bile production, and it helps give your immune system an extra boost. There is also evidence that drinking lemon water can help you maintain a healthy weight – with that said, you won’t magically drop ten pounds by adding lemon water to your morning routine, but if you do so along with eating healthy and exercise – you are bound to feel a difference.

2. Commit to a stretching routine.

Even just a five-minute stretch in the morning can help wake up your muscles and prepare them for the day ahead. I wish I had time for a thirty-minute vinyasa flow before I tackle my day ahead, but that just isn’t the case. A couple of minutes in downward dog, a side stretch or just a standing forward bend coupled with some deep breathing, with help you feel energized and ready to tackle the day ahead.

3. Make a smoothie.

Specifically, a green one. Those greens are what’s really going to help you feel energized and provide you with all of the nutrients you need to start your day off right. The best part about smoothies is that your options are endless. One of my favorite green smoothie recipes is below:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/3 cup coconut milk
• 1 pear – peeled and cored
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 handfuls of kale

Feel free to add coconut oil or agave syrup to sweeten it up a bit!

4. Meditate, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Choose a style that works for you. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. Choose a position you feel comfortable in and it’s up to you if you would like music or not. Even just sitting, breathing, and listening to the silence can be enough. Saying to yourself how awesome, strong, and smart you are can’t hurt either. There is nothing better than clearing your mind for a few minutes. If you can’t find five minutes to clear your mind in the morning, you should probably find thirty minutes, because you certainly need it.

5. Smile at yourself in the mirror.

I know, I know. This may sound cheesy, but it’s an easy and effective way to boost your self-esteem. This is a way for you to check in with yourself and gain self-confidence. Having self-confidence means that you believe in yourself, you have your goals set, and you work on them every day. We often think in negative terms as a defense mechanism (as the brain is naturally inclined to do so). But a simple smile can help the mind move to a more positive space and remain there for longer, the more you do it. By smiling at yourself in the mirror every morning, you are helping your brain to create happiness loops that encourage more positive thinking patterns.