Five ways to start the day mindfully
We often have very little control over how we feel when we wake up on any given morning, but when we start the day in a negative frame of mind it can be very difficult to turn things around. Particularly on those days when we can barely open our eyes, much less function effectively as a human being, implementing a few mindful techniques can really help to turn a sub-par day into a better one.
Rise with the birds
Waking earlier than we need to is a habit that can be really hard to implement, because who doesn’t want that extra half an hour in bed? But waking up a little earlier can make a huge difference to how easily we launch into the day. Spending a few moments sitting with a hot drink first thing, without any distractions other than the sound of the birds outside or the sight of the sun rising, can be one of the most peaceful and beautiful ways to begin a new day.
Mindful shower
Instead of taking a quick shower on autopilot, we can use the opportunity to get into a good head space. Not only can we use the experience as a mindfulness exercise (the temperature and sensation of the water on our skin, the scent of our soap or shampoo) but also an opportunity to repeat a couple of affirmations relevant to the day ahead. Affirmations can be an effective way to positively change our mindset, especially if we are prone to negative thinking and self-sabotaging thoughts.
Checking-in
Checking-in is a great way to touch base with how we are feeling at the start of the day. This practice doesn’t have to take up a lot of time; it can just be sitting for a few minutes to reflect on how we’re doing in this moment, to think about how our body is feeling and if there are any areas of tension or soreness. We can also ask ourselves how we are on a mental and emotional level. If we feel overwhelmed, for example, Is there anything we can do today that will help restore a sense of ease? The idea is to just notice these things as observers rather than making any judgements about them.
A peaceful breakfast
How many of us sit through breakfast absentmindedly shovelling toast in our mouths whilst scrolling through the news headlines or instagram feeds? Are we really enjoying our breakfast experience? Sitting down at the table without distractions is really important at mealtimes. It can be a great time to connect with housemates or family members, or even just with ourselves, and is also very beneficial for our digestion. When we pay attention to what we are eating, we savour and chew our food more, which allows our stomach to produce the specific enzymes that help us digest our food. Even if you can do nothing else on the list, a mindful breakfast is a great way to start the day.
Commute
We’re not all fortunate enough to have a leisurely stroll through sun dappled woodland on our way to work or on the school run but we can try to make the most of what is usually considered a rather mundane part of our day. If we pay close enough attention we can see how small things change on each of our trips, such as the sounds around us (bird song, cars, the radio, surrounding chatter), things we see (the the seasonal changes in nature or familiar faces that we often pass and don’t acknowledge), and everyday scents (shrubs and flowers, the trail of someone’s perfume as they walk past or even car fumes). The things we observe won’t always be pleasant but it’s yet another way to practice mindfulness and notice with no objective other than just noticing what is going on in the present moment, rather than getting lost in our thoughts.
Even if we can only manage to do one of the above on any given day, or any other mindful activity, it can be a great way to create new, beneficial habits over time. And on days that we simply can’t manage a physical yoga practice, in those mindful moments off the mat we are still practising yoga.