Morning routines are linked to better moods, more productivity, and less stress.
Welcome to the very first Workshop with Sprit Collective!
For the next few months we will be focusing on the qualities of the Astrological Houses that correspond with the zodiac for the month.
September is mostly in Virgo Constellation, which corresponds to House Six.
House Six
Earth-- This House is all about matters of the Earth, being grounded and practical, while caring for self and others
Micro World-- This house asks you to keep your focus on your immediate communities and relationships
Others-- This house directs you to mind others and their needs. How can we strengthen ourselves to better be present in service to others?
Characteristics-- Service, Legacy, Health, Routine
House Six is asking "What are skills are you cultivating within yourself to benefit others?"
The Workshop
This month I challenge you to create a daily routine, tailored to your needs and desires.
House Six is calling us to be responsible by forming routines which benefit our spiritual/emotional/physical health so we can better be of service to others.
Ask yourself, "which version of myself shows up for each day?"
Is it your best version?
If not, there is always room to strengthen your best self by coaxing them out through habit.
Before we get into the work, let's discuss the importance of a Morning Routine.
Morning Routines
In Ayurveda, morning routines are called dinacharya, which means to be close to the Earth's rhythm. How you start your day, is how the rest of your day will follow. What feelings you cultivate in the morning, is what feeling will stick with you for the day that follows.
Do you wake up like this?
-You hit snooze a bunch of times,
-You wake up and immediately think of all the work you have to do, that person you have to meet up with that you don't like, how you have to do a strenuous work out right now or you'll never have the body that you want, or how the day will be boring and long...
-If you wake up and go on social media straight away, and start comparing the have and have nots of your life...
If any of the above scenarios are how you wake up in the morning, let's change that!
Let's create a habit that cultivates gratitude, energy, and serenity for your day ahead.
Here is how my ideal morning looks:
-wake up and say my thanks - 5 minutes
-cuddle with my cat Lilith - 5 minutes
-drink a glass of water - 1 minute
-go for a walk outside - 20/30 minutes
-come back and stretch - 10/20 minutes
-have my coffee and read - 15/20 minutes
-meditate - 5/20 minutes
-get dressed and go 15/20 minutes
- (I don't eat in the mornings, but we will talk about other routines options that fit for you)
I do all of those things even when I don't feel like it
If I wake up and my body is achy and I don't want to go for a walk, I still go for a walk, I just make it shorter.
If I don't want to do a meditation, I do a shorter meditation.
All of the above takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
I wake up earlier to give myself that time to set my day up right
I don't rush
If I rush, I bring anxiety into my day
I don't do anything too strenuous, limiting the cortisol in my system
I don't think about the negative things that nag at the corners of my mind
My morning is a precious and sacred time.
If I am crunched for time in the morning and I did not wake up with enough time to complete a routine, I cut out the walk, or the cuddles, but I keep as much a routine as I can, because despite my fair love of spontaneity, a morning routine cultivates serenity, allowing for a more creative process to unfold for me during the day.
If you are not a morning person, don't discount a routine all together.
Make a nightly routine.
Sleep hygiene is equally as important!
Benefits of Routine
1. Utilizing the circadian rhythm, waking up with the sun and winding down with dusk may seem ridiculous and difficult, but it is actually what your internal hormones crave. You just need some dedication to train for it.
2. Having your morning set in stone, will reduce mental fatigue. We only have a certain amount of mental energy and willpower when we wake up. Throughout the day we lose more steam because of all the decisions we make throughout the day. So making your morning set, means you reserve your mental energy.
3. Use the morning to choose what emotions you will feel the rest of the day. When you experience emotions, your body responds by releasing corresponding chemicals throughout your body, which in turn loop back and affect our body and our mind. So If you wake up and engage in stressful thoughts, releasing cortisol, you will feel anxious the rest of the day. So waking up and counting gratitudes or petting you animal will release oxytocin, which boosts positive feelings and relaxes your body.
4. Taking time in the morning to detoxify and stimulate your body will ensure you move through your day with better digestion, more energy, and a better mood (Sahara Rose, "Ayruveda: Idiot's Guide)
5. Feeling better is as easy as completing a routine in the morning. When you set small attainable goals and achieve them early in your day, you cultivate self respect and self esteem. Boom, already on the road to Total BadAssery. Not to mention all the added benefits of drinking an herbal tea, meditation, a brisk walk, stretching etc.
Identify
Lets take a look at what your mornings currently look like, and how you want them to look
Finish these sentences:
"Each morning I wake up by _______________________________"
"I feel ____________________________ in the morning"
"It affects the rest of my day by _________________________________"
.
.
.
"In the mornings I want to wake up and ___________________________________ _____________________"
"I want to feel ________________________ in the mornings"
Potential Habits
-list gratitudes, verbally or written down
-prayer -body lotion
-meditation -skin care routine
-yoga -hot tea
-chi gong -coffee
-walking -drink water
-strength circuit -cuddle with partner/pet/self
-dance -make bed
-brush teeth -sing
-dry brush skin -affirmations
-make breakfast
Your Task
Choose one from this list, or of your own making
Do it for one week straight
Choose another habit to add to your routine after week, and do it in addition to your current morning habits
Each week this month add another routine to your morning, until at the end of the month you have a solid routine to set you up for success and happiness
Keep it doable, and achievable
Don't come in hot saying I am going to add five things to my routine today!
Just take it slow, that you achieve your goal each morning, without straining for time.
It's the act of consistency and achieving that will build your self confidence and self esteem
For each day you complete your morning routine, I ask that your record a nightly check in, in your own notebook, or here, in the comments, let's build the Collective and support each other through our Monthly Workshops.
House Six
This workshop in daily habits is designed to help you put your best foot forward.
In doing so we are affirming that we matter.
That we love and cherish our existence.
That we take control of what we cultivate
So we can be stronger individuals in service to others.
Namaste
MaryLisa
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