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Morning routines can be tricky. Unless they’re prioritized, they can easily become stress-filled indicators of how the rest of your day will unfold. Unfortunately, that’s been the case for me ever since college. My MO was to sleep through my alarm, run out of the house with wrinkled clothing and a bare face, and stress relentlessly about whether or not I’d make it to work/class/church on time. Although I like to think I thrive in “fight or flight” mode, it inevitably sets a discouraging and downright exhausting tone for the day. Fortunately, Kyle’s an early bird, and he recommended some incredible books about the benefits of building empowering habits and routines. Since then, I’ve been focusing on trading in my ineffective behaviors for constructive ones. I like to think of it as my ultra simplified morning self-care routine, and I’m sharing the 3 major changes I’ve made in today’s post!
1. Prioritizing Self-Care
Probably the first major change I made was waking up an hour earlier to put time and effort into my appearance. As superficial as that sounds, I struggle with self-confidence, and self-care helps build it. That being said, one of the most important ways for me to maintain a positive self-image is by having good oral hygiene. My job involves talking with people regularly, both in person and via video chat, so making sure my teeth and gums (and breath!) are healthy is a priority. That’s why I decided to invest in a new Waterpik® Sonic-Fusion® flossing toothbrush. Sonic Fusion is the world’s first flossing toothbrush, meaning you can floss every time you brush, so it hits on all cylinders for fresher breath, a brighter smile, and a boost of self-confidence. Hover over the photo below to shop!
The Sonic-Fusion flossing toothbrush is super easy to use, too, and I love that I can brush, water floss, or brush and water floss (simultaneously) with one device. Oh, and fun fact– it’s twice as effective as regular brushing and flossing. It removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas, too.
Another plus? The Sonic-Fusion flossing toothbrush has a compact design, which takes up significantly less counter space. The less clutter for me (especially in the bathroom), the more I can actually focus on getting myself ready, both physically and mentally, for the day ahead.
To learn more about the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion flossing toothbrush (and to receive a $30 mail-in rebate through June 30th), click here! You can also head to the personal hygiene aisle in Target to purchase in store.
2. Starting the Day with Movement
I’m a realist, so unless I wake up an hour and a half early, I have no preconceived notions that there’ll be time to do a full-blown workout in the morning. I save that for lunchtime or after work. However, doing a quick set of crunches or walking Nala and Nellie around the block is more than doable, and it achieves the same energizing (and, in my case, confidence-boosting) result. My rule of thumb? It’s got to be at least 5 minutes. After showering and brushing my teeth, I commit to a minimum of 5 minutes of movement, and it’s been incredibly effective for getting my blood flowing and silencing mental chatter in the mornings.
3. Being Mindful
Finally, taking time to just sit and be mindful before starting my day has been a game changer for my attitude. I’m normally an anxious wreck in the morning, but taking time for myself has forced me to calm down and focus before the day begins. After moving a little bit, I brew some coffee, grab a cozy noise-free spot on the couch or floor, and just breathe for a few minutes. This is when I set my intention for the day, no matter how vague or specific, and when I clear my mind of clutter and negativity before the busy work day begins.
It’s not an exact science or anything, but these 3 morning habits have made an enormous impact on my overall productivity and attitude. Equally important, they’ve also forced me to designate time for myself before the day gets hectic. It really is true what they say– the tone of your morning will determine the tone of your day. Now’s the time to act accordingly!
What are some changes or updates you’ve made to your morning habits? Anything I should add to my morning self-care routine? I’d love some feedback!
Photography by Catherine Rhodes.
