No door bells ringing, no phones buzzing, no people waiting and no duties calling. That’s the luxury of early mornings. We can choose to snooze our alarm or wake up just in time. But, the best thing would be to, wake up early. So that you can spend, some quality time with yourself. If you don’t carve out time for yourself, there will be a hundred chores and people, to take away that time.

Things to do before 8am

1) Get 7 hours of sleep

Sleep is essential for the Body and mind. As, sleep is essential for healing the body. And rejuvenating the mind. Besides, how are we supposed to function effectively, if we carry the tiredness and mental sluggishness, through the next day. So, sleeping well should be a priority!

2) Meditate or Pranayam

Bathing, cleanses the body and meditation, cleanses the mind. Sit in silence, count your breaths or use different pranayams to energize the nervous system and the mind. Besides, it serves as a ritual, which sets a positive tone to your day.

3) Gratitude

Gratitude has been called the mother of all virtues. Focus on the abundance and the world is your oyster. As, there are limitless opportunities and possibilities for you. If you start every Morning with gratitude and clarity, every – day becomes simpler and more fulfilling.

4) Setting goals and intentions

Sometimes, we Wake with a stream of thoughts running through the mind. Writing them down helps you stay organized and you have a better chance of accomplishing your tasks. Besides, set an intent for the day:

• It is my intent to stay calm and punctual today.
• I greet everyone with ease today.
• I handle the challenges with ease and grace.
• It is my intention to eat healthy and fresh foods today.

Like they say, “Our intentions in sync with our actions, become reality.” And better yet, visualize the day and visualize a healthy, perfect you – living the day!

5) Physical activity

Walk, run, dance, do yoga or go to a gym. Regular exercise is an essential for  happy, healthy and productive people.  Besides, exercise has been found to decrease the chance of depression, anxiety and stress. Find what you enjoy and let the body come alive.

6) Listen/Read Motivational content

Today our mornings are spent on social media, entertainment channels and radio stations. Try listening to a Ted talk, audio books or read something that is inspiring and uplifting. As, your subconscious mind is open to impressions in your waking hours. So, make the most of it.

Start your mornings by doing important and nourishing activities. As, by the end of the day we are too tired and worn out; to nurture ourselves. Be consistent with your early mornings and your life will change! Let’s take one step at a time to live our lives to the fullest!

Iti Jain

Total Yoga has an array of morning classes. Check on Total-yoga.org

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