In these fast-paced times, we should not overlook how we feel or think about things which play an important role in our well-being, says Devina Kaur
Living during a pandemic has taught us that we simply can’t run away from ourselves. Our lives have changed drastically, we can’t run to our next vacation, we can’t drown our worries at bars or bury our heads in high-paying jobs. Things have changed but we can choose to have a loving and nurturing relationship with ourselves. We can start by remembering who we are and honouring ourselves with some simple practises.
One of the things which often surprises people about mindfulness is how simple it is to bring it into your day. By sticking to a morning routine inspired by mindfulness, we can learn to become present in the moment, every moment. Each moment in our lives is an opportunity to start fresh and become better versions of ourselves. There’s something about the harmonious chirps of the birds and the fresh smell of flowers in the early hours that remind us that we are one with nature.
The morning hours provide us with the opportunity to visualise our potential for the day while forgetting about the worries of the past. Mindful mornings are a great way to reflect on your inner-self and how you plan to treat or react to others moving forward. Here are three empowering tips you can adopt to nourish your mornings and ensure that you get the best out of your day:
Begin with bedtime
A mindful morning starts the night before. To prepare and ease into a new day, it’s essential to rest and get a good night’s worth of sleep. Take a few hours to detox from screen time before going to bed. Reading, sipping on calming teas and nighttime yoga, all happen to be some excellent tools that will aid you in sleeping well.
Peace, silence and tranquillity
Does chaos fill your morning? Are you rushing to get the kids to school? Are you bombarded by a multitude of tasks to make sure everything runs smoothly throughout the day? Does this sound familiar? As soon as we wake up, our very first instinct is to check our phones. And that is understandable, most of us lead busy lives. However, we have to realise that that can wait, there are many more important things to be thankful for. In its place, we should try to sit up and be aware of our senses as our mind slowly comes to terms with a new day and notice what it feels like. Take a moment to breathe in and out slowly, notice the sensation of your breath in your body. We are so used to the hustle and bustle of life that most of us take silence for granted. Greet your body with silence in the morning and avoid the temptation of technology around you. Practise healthy boundaries such as switching off your gadgets for longer periods and placing them out of your reach.
Let meditation be your escape
Meditation is a great way to kickstart your morning routine because it will inspire you to start your day, ready for the challenges ahead and it can be practised anywhere. Whether your comfort zone is on the bed, the carpet or the grass, having true peace of mind is a gift to the self. Contrary to popular belief, just about every act can be rooted in meditative awareness. For instance, a great way to begin to settle your mind in the morning while taking no extra time is by noticing tastes, smells, sounds and texture as you brush your teeth.
(The writer is an author, inspirational speaker, radio host and producer.)