One of the first things I implement with a client….

How good does accomplishment feel? Imagine starting your ‘working day’ feeling accomplished already.

As the title suggests - one of the first things I do with a client is implementing a morning routine. Of course it IS very dependent on your work schedule, kids etc. For the purpose of this blog I will reference what and why on the morning routine but I will also talk about varying options if you don’t have that as an option.

Why am I so pro morning routines?

Establishing a morning routine offers a heap benefits that impact in a positive way your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A consistent morning routine creates structure, stability and productivity. Your morning routine can be as simple as 5 minutes of breath work, cleaning your teeth, making your bed and eating breakfast and doing all of that before getting on your phone/device.

Or it could be - making the bed, journaling, coffee, 10mins of yoga and breakfast. Not all routines have to be an Andrew Huberman style routine because not all of our lives can suit it. If only!!

But the act of a routine and forming habits has been proven to create feelings of calmness, mental clarity and familiarity, which again can provide you with feelings of stability. And as I talk about with The Pillars it is your platform for growth. An added benefit of that feeling of stability is a reduction of stress and anxiety, we already have plenty of things that create stress and anxiety so if we can do anything to reduce that - it’s a win.

A morning routine allows you to start your day with focus and feeling productive as you’ve already achieved something before even leaving the house.

Forming good habits or habit stacking you may have heard it called, specifically in the case of a morning routine - ideally means integrating small habits into a daily routine can streamline their activities, making it easier to establish and maintain those behaviours. You also are at a bigger advantage of adding in newer habits and behaviours if and when you desire to.

If you are someone - and there are many of you out there, that does not have the ability to add a morning routine or you have young kids and it just isn’t option - maybe adding in a small evening routine of 30mins could be your thing - this maybe getting everything you need for the next day organised, some breathwork or meditation, journaling, a chapter of a book and a tea. Leaving you feeling again - accomplished, organised and calm knowing you have done something for yourself and gotten organised for the day ahead which can mean a restful sleep knowing you’re set for the next day.

My suggestions are merely that - suggestions but those tasks I suggest will very likely hit your Pillars - they will help you sleep, clear your mind, make your body feel a little nicer and if you’re maybe organising lunch, having a good breakfast and drinking a nice herbal tea - it’ll be hitting your fuel pillar also.

Putting aside the 30mins for a routine for yourself - can only be something that will impact you positively.

One BIG point I will make tho is, keep the tasks in your routine small, things that will take 5 or 10mins tops each and keep them to 3 or 4 things. Or if you’re starting out - only 2 or 3 of them. Don’t set yourself up to fail. Keep it small, feel that accomplishment, create that structure and stability and grow from there and unless you have unlimited time and your own flexible schedule - do keep it to a small number and to about 30mins.

For myself - I do both a morning and evening routine. I love the brain dump I get with journaling, I love getting into a made bed in the evening that I did in the morning, I love making the morning easier for myself by taking 5 mins the night before I organise my stuff, especially if I have a big day with a late finish. It’s investment into self and makes my life easier. It takes effort, and I know it’s “easier“ to just sit and chill but taking those few minutes saves me time, mental energy and allows for stillness and time to relax at other times.

If you do create a morning routine please do let me know how it goes for you and what you did on the details below and if you have any questions on how to create a routine for yourself or want to but can’t see where you can - message me on emma@thepillarsap.com or you can find me on Instagram at @thepillarsap and I’ll happily answer your questions.