How often do you groan when the alarm goes off? You hit the snooze button and repeat until you must get up. Now you’re running late, grab a coffee, stagger out the door still yawning, skip breakfast, and start the day feeling rushed and resentful. Or perhaps you begin your day scrolling through emails and social media before you even get out of bed, so your mind is distracted from the get-go.
For creatives, starting the day in a state of chaos can stifle your imagination and productivity. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are some simple practices you can adopt to start the day calmly, mindfully, and purposefully before you reach for your cell phone. Try these three techniques to get your day off to a better start.
1. Breathe Mindfully and Connect to Your Inner Self
Before you get out of bed, before you even open your eyes, take a few moments to focus your breathing and connect deeply to your inner self. Take three long deep breaths through your nose, gently and slowly breathing out through your mouth. Then return your breath to its normal pattern, noticing the breath, and the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe.
Why This Matters for Creatives: Mindful breathing helps ground you, fostering a state of calm that enhances your creative process. It clears mental clutter, allowing new ideas to flow more freely.
Additional Tip: You can also incorporate a brief meditation session. Spend five minutes in a meditative state, visualizing your creative goals and setting a peaceful tone for your day.
2. Bring to Mind Your Intention for the Day
How do you want to feel? What state of mind will support you best? How will you choose to connect with others? Resolve to check in with your intention during the day and adjust your mindset and behavior accordingly. What impact do you want to have in the world today? How can you take the best care of yourself as you go about your daily business?
Set a simple intention for how you want to be in your day. Make it a positive, straightforward statement. It can be as simple as “Today I want to be kind to myself and others” or “Today I will stay calm and grounded.” Make it appropriate for where you’re at and what you have to do.
Why This Matters for Creatives: Setting an intention aligns your actions with your creative goals, providing a sense of purpose and direction. It keeps you motivated and focused, essential for tackling creative projects.
Additional Tip: Write your intention down and place it somewhere visible, like your workspace or mirror. This constant reminder will help you stay aligned with your goal throughout the day.
3. Hydrate
You know you need to drink more water. Make it easier on yourself by starting the day with a big glass of water, before coffee, breakfast, and exercise. You can keep a water glass or bottle on your night table to start the day as you mean to go on – well hydrated! Follow your first glass with another before you have your coffee. Make your second glass an Ayurvedic drink of warm water with lemon. That is a traditional way of giving you a boost of Vitamin C, detoxing, and stimulating your metabolism.
Why This Matters for Creatives: Hydration is crucial for brain function and energy levels. Starting your day hydrated helps maintain focus and mental clarity, boosting your creativity and productivity.
Additional Tip: Incorporate a hydration routine throughout the day. Set reminders on your phone to take water breaks, ensuring you stay hydrated and maintain peak creative performance.
Bonus Tip: Gentle Morning Movement
Adding gentle movement to your morning routine can also be incredibly beneficial. Whether stretching, yoga, or a short walk, moving your body helps wake up your muscles and increases blood flow, enhancing mental clarity and creativity.
Why This Matters for Creatives: Physical activity stimulates the brain and can lead to improved mood and creativity. It helps shake off any lingering grogginess and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Additional Tip: Choose a form of movement you enjoy and look forward to. This could be dancing to your favorite music, a quick jog, or a serene yoga session.
By incorporating these mindful practices into your morning routine, you’ll start your day with a sense of calm and purpose. This sets the stage for a more productive and creatively fulfilling day. Remember, how you start your day can significantly impact your creativity and overall well-being. Embrace these techniques and watch how they transform your daily routine.