3 Positive Habits I Do Every Morning.
Habits have the ability to take us to the next level or drag us down. Over the past couple of years I have established, evolved and remained committed to the following three things (in chronological order):
Water
“Clearly” a crucial element since our bodies are mostly comprised of water and every system depends on it. Being even just slightly dehydrated can knock down my energy levels and when I’m feeling thirsty I know I’m probably already dehydrated. What started as a large glass of water when I first wake up (about 16oz) became a bit fancier over time. I started to adjust the temperature of the water to be just above room temperature by boiling some water and pouring a quarter of a cup’s worth in before filling the rest with tap water. I then sprinkled just a glitter worth of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt before adding the water for increased hydration and minerals (way more than table salt alone). My latest addition has been squeezing a fresh slice of lemon to help cleanse my system and provide a nice immunity booster at the same time.
Meditation
I had always heard of the benefits as a way to reduce stress and sure enough when I meditate I feel like the usual stressors in life simply bounce off me. I could have a colleague freaking out about a project, anxiety about a competition or pressed against a deadline but I’m able to not allow any of those things to negatively impact me (as much) when my mind is centered. After exploring a couple different practices, I became drawn to Oprah and Deepak’s 21 Day 20 Minute Guided Meditation Challenges which are available for free to stream when they first come out about every other month. I have a 45 minute commute in the morning and have learned to engage in my practice while riding eastbound on the bus. I have found that meditating in the morning is significantly easier because my mind is quieter. I do this before opening email and checking text messages. What started as five minutes a day two or three times a week gradually grew into 20 minutes every day. There are a number of apps available and one other one I particularly enjoy is called Lucid which is intended for athletes to help get the mind right to make the game tight. I love this before a CrossFit Competition.
Exercise
Fitness has always been a part of my routine having been an athlete in school as a Cross Country runner, long distance Track and Fielder, collegiate rower and now a CrossFitter. I used to workout at night after work but have now switched to the morning and train for a solid 90 minutes with the first portion focused on strength training (squatting, pressing, deadlifting, Olympic Lifting etc) and then the latter part turning the dial up for conditioning which usually involve high intensity training. Strength training is important for building bone and muscle health to be able to continue doing the every day activities in life such as lifting groceries, sitting on the toilet, moving boxes overhead and more. Adjusting to mornings took some time but I now feel wide awake during the day and very ready to go to bed at the end of the day.
There are plenty of other powerfully positive habits that one may add to their day. It’s best to start with one thing and with a small step allowing it to grow and evolve based on how it is working for you and making you feel. Let me know if there’s a habit you plan on starting and how it goes!
Last Updated: January 19, 2017
