5 Ways to Start Your Day Right

No, it’s not more coffee that you need in order to have a good morning. Follow these tips from yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda, to get your day off to a great start.

1- Wake up early. I know, it’s easier said than done, but waking up early is the best way to ensure you will have time to yourself. Sure, sleeping until the last possible second and rushing around to get to work on time might sound like fun (note the sarcasm), but starting the day with that level of stress will not make for a good day. Plus, when you wake up early, you can more leisurely enjoy your new morning routine, and you may even learn to love the quiet of your home before others rise.

2- Go to bed early. Obviously, you will need to go to bed earlier if you are to wake up earlier. But take heart, studies about sleep and Circadian science have shown that the sleeping hours before midnight are more restorative and rejuvenating. So be strict about your personal bedtime.

3- Hydrate upon waking. I’m always surprised when I hear my students’ first drink is coffee or tea. What?! You have just spent 7-9 hours without any fluids, and now you are adding a diuretic? Please, no. You are dehydrated. Please start with 10-20 ounces of room temperature or warm water. You can add a squeeze of lemon or lime if you like. Room temperature or warm water is easier for your body to assimilate and is less shocking to your system than cold or ice water.

4-Move your body for 15-20 minutes. Do simple stretches, yoga, range of motion exercises, swing a kettlebell, play hopscotch. It doesn’t matter what you do, just move your body for 15-20 minutes every...single...morning. Movement helps you to wake up, raise oxygen levels, and minimize stiffness.

5-Meditate for a minimum of 8 minutes. If your movement practice was intense, you will want to take a 3 minute savasana (lying on the back, eyes closed relaxation) before trying to meditate. After your breath has normalized, and you feel relaxed, take a comfortable seat. Sit and notice the breath for 8 minutes. When the mind wanders, gently return to the breath. That’s it. That’s the practice. Feel free to use an app, or a fancier meditation practice if you feel inspired to do so. But breath awareness is a great, simple, always available option.

Try experimenting with one or all of these morning practices for at least a week and let me know how it goes. Good luck!