By Miguel J. Ortiz
With stress playing such a huge role in our lives sometimes it’s hard to unwind from the day. We all have those stressful days that tend to bleed into the rest of the week and it can be difficult to manage depending on the type of stress you’re dealing with. Whether you have to adjust your schedule constantly or are dealing with general work and life stress, a morning routine that helps clear the mind will ensure you start your day strong. It will absolutely help the stresses you’re dealing with.
I have studied a lot of different morning routines done by celebrities, CEOs and entrepreneurs. I have found, that regardless of each individual’s stress level, they all have a very consistent morning routine. No matter how extreme one might perceive another’s morning routine to be, the science undoubtedly proves that starting your day with focused intention will add a tremendous amount of quality to your life. Some routines are as simple as taking a cold shower to help wake up or listening to relaxing music while you get ready for work and some enjoy a brisk run. Whether you’re going to be more efficient with your time or wake up earlier, a change must be made. What’s important is understanding what you need in the morning to help start your day? Is your behavior during the day sluggish and tired? Are you simply looking to add some energy to your day? Or, do you want better focus without being distracted easily? These are questions you need to answer for yourself as it will help create a goal and find a routine that is appropriate for you.
For people looking for a little more focus, start with either guided meditation or increased intention toward a goal within your first 10 minutes of the morning. I personally started by focusing either on gratitude and appreciation for previous events or sometimes playing out meetings and conversations in my head that I know I would embark on that day. As the weeks went on, I started feeling way less rushed and had more confidence throughout the day. I had less stress and even started adding small bits of yoga poses and music into my morning routine. The more consistent I was with my intentions, the more aware I became and the stress continued to fall off my shoulders.
When starting your morning and practicing a routine remember that consistency and practice are the keys to success when it comes to eliminating stress and opening up clarity. Take your time, and try different routines. Whether you’re going out for a quick 30 minute run or just meditating in the living room, focus on the now. Focus on what you want to accomplish or eliminate. Lose yourself in the movement and start your day with purpose.
Miguel J. Ortiz is a personal trainer in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the National Personal Trainer Institute and a Certified Nutritional Consultant with more than a decade of professional experience. He can be found on Instagram at @migueljortiz.
