My morning ritual is the most important part of my day. It grounds me and helps to shift my mind into a place of comfort and relaxation.
A peaceful morning sets the stage in making choices that nourish our body all throughout the day and helps us to realize the importance of conserving energy for tasks that are most important while balancing with points of rest and meditation.
Essential Oils
Use an essential oil like lavender in the shower. Combine a few drops with the lather of a gentle organic bar soap on a loofah. The scent will permeate through the steam and fill the shower with a delicious scent. (I also love using lemongrass and jasmine). After showering, use a high quality essential oil blend as a moisturizer and apply throughout body. I also apply a manuka honey mask before I get in the shower, which acts as a very gentle exfoliator and contains many healing properties. I like to give my face a little extra TLC in the morning to get the circulation going after many hours of laying down.
Gratitude journal
This takes about three minutes and is best done when you first wake up (you can even write in bed). Jot down 5 things you are grateful for. A long running Harvard study proved that gratitude is the key to training our brains to think positively, which promotes joy and compassion.
Superfood Latte
Every morning I look forward to a warm superfood latte. My two favorites are a matcha latte (matcha, almond milk, coconut cream and a 1/2 teaspoon of raw agave) or a hot chocolate (two teaspoons of raw cacao, 1/2 cup of almond milk and 1/2 cup light coconut milk or organic soy, Ceylon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of raw agave – blend in Vitamix or blender) Raw cacao is loaded with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, which is excellent for women and aids the body in lowering stress/cortisol levels. I use pure nut/soy/coconut milks – no additives or fillers.
If it’s too much to prepare in the morning, you can blend the ingredients at night, refrigerate, and heat in the morning (try not to boil so that minerals and enzymes stay in tact).
Finding time for self-care particularly in the morning is key to cultivating self-love and a healthy balance of give and take in your life. I rarely visit a spa, but I do feel that these at home treatments provide a daily indulgence, which mitigate the urge to go to a spa to relax. I can find all that I need right here at home.
