What is your morning self care routine?

[Petal]

Just curious as to the question above, i'm trying to improve my self care and if you could share what you do it could help others on here too. Not just mornings really, anytime

Do you have any self care hacks you like to use? whether its to save time or if you've found a unique way that works for you.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Livelife]

I had a routine in place for years that was taught to me from a few wonderful sources/teachers.
Wake up and do a minute of (yoga) gentle stretching in bed prior to standing up and bearing weight
Wake up 15 minutes to half an hour earlier than usual and start the day with meditation style of your choosing for a few minutes to 20 minutes or so and a bit of warm up stretching yoga for a few minutes all the way to a full half hour or more. Even A few minutes of meditation or yoga does create shift
First thing to put in your system is a fresh squeezed lemon, organic if you can..into a small glass of warmed water then wait at least 20 minutes or so before eating or drinking anything else.
I also use essential oils applied to the bottom of my feet for anxiety, stress, relaxation, all kinds of healing
When feeling stressed or reactive anytime during the day, stop for a moment, take 2 or 3 very deep slow breaths or do an easy yoga technique called alternate nostril breathing for a minute or so. It will usually chill you out immediately and quiet/clear your mind and calm your nerves
First thing also in am....take a cold shower, it's called Ishnaan. It's a health practice/ There are directions on line or I can explain it if anyone is interested. It removes toxins, clears the lymph system, It's been used for centuries as a method to sustain physical health.
Oil pulling is another practice to use first thing in the morning before brushing the teeth.
Have fun, this is a great topic

 

[Petal]

Wow @Livelife Can you adopt me? Your mornings sound so chilled out and relaxed, I always wake up with severe anxiety from nightmares and worry about how the day will go, your routine is one I think I can learn from, you have mentioned so many calming things, most i'd never heard of so I'm glad I started this thread now

First thing....take a cold shower, it's called Ishnaan. It's a health practice/ There are directions on line or I can explain

I would appreciate it very much if you could explain this, it sounds awesome

 

[Livelife]

self foot massages at night before bed

Wow @Livelife Can you adopt me? Your mornings sound so chilled out and relaxed, I always wake up with severe anxiety from nightmares and worry about how the day will go, your routine is one I think I can learn from, you have mentioned so many calming things, most i'd never heard of so I'm glad I started this thread now


I would appreciate it very much if you could explain this, it sounds awesome

So glad you liked it...you can google the oil pulling and the Ishnaan and what drinking lemon water on an empty stomach first thing will do for your liver and stomach and kidneys etc. I've got a lot more things but I thought that was enough to start. And at night before bed or anytime really....self foot massage works wonders.. get a little reflexology map online of the foot if you are not familiar with acupuncture/acupressure points, they usually are simple and brightly colored and easy to read and just go for it. It will relax you and it's especially nice to do right before bedtime or even in bed.
...There's a lot written also about keeping a notebook by the bed and first thing; grabbing it when your eyes open and free writing for 3 minutes after you wake up, just free write. Whatever comes. If you wake up in anxiety and from a bad dream include the feelings you are experiencing from that. do it for awhile and see what happens if that sounds like a good idea.
I'm talking to myself regarding all of these suggestions as well, the ones I've stopped doing... Thank you for being my teacher this morning, deeply appreciated.

 

[Livelife]

@Petal I'm going to go do that walk right now with the walk group out in a park on the river. You've got me motivated! I'd be happy to explain anything anytime. I'll see y'all later today.tackles

 

[Petal]

Hey...enjoy your walk, there's nothing better than breathing in fresh air into the lungs to stay calm and be carefree in the moment.

Thank you so much for all of your info, i particularly like the self foot massage reflexology idea, I think that is one I would enjoy doing and it would set me up for the day along with the cold shower.

Have you ever heard of the James Bond shower? If not look it up as i was only reading about it this morning so can't say too much off the top of my head but it is interesting.

I like the lemon and warm water idea, we always keep lemons in the house so i will give it a shot.

Thanks for everything and keep talking if you want, i like listening to you lol

 

[Nick]

If only my mornings were about self care ... I do have a routine on work mornings though. I usually wake up between 4:30-5:30am, if I wake up before that we try to go back to sleep.
1. Scratch the kitty, because she isn't moving until she has had her morning scratches
2. Shower - we used to do this at 6:30, but it became clear that I am not likely to actually remove myself from where I am planted to accomplish the task so not we do it upon waking
3. COFFEEEEEEE
4. Smoke
5. Morning messages (in reality sometimes 5 happens during 2-4 as well lol) and continues through the end of the list lol
6. Think about finding food (maybe make food)
7. Smoke
8. More Coffee
9. Get dressed for work
10. Brush teeth, do hair
11. Smoke
12. More Coffee
13. Throw food in backpack for work

There ya go!!! That's Nick's work morning. It could be improved upon, but is a significant improvement on what it once was. It now includes showering, teeth brushing and doing hair. Sometimes even includes food.

 

[HappyKitty]

Sleep~

 

[Brokendownwreck]

Just curious as to the question above, i'm trying to improve my self care and if you could share what you do it could help others on here too. Not just mornings really, anytime

Do you have any self care hacks you like to use? whether its to save time or if you've found a unique way that works for you.

Thanks in advance.

I don't have a plan in place but I am monitoring my moods, so if I feel low sometime I will go and watch videos on Internet about funny animals or things that make me laugh. I'm a firm believer that laughter burns off negative accumulative energy and can sometimes relieve stress. Sometimes I laugh at myself when things get intense like my thoughts 💭 ' why me' can sometimes make me laugh if I look at myself from an outside perspective. In those moments it just shakes it up a bit. Coffee ☕ I like too and meditation. Sleep another or if feeling energetic and restless a long walk in nature helps burn the feeling of restlessness off and I don't have to worry about insomnia if I'm exhausted physically. ☺

 

[Livelife]

Hey...enjoy your walk, there's nothing better than breathing in fresh air into the lungs to stay calm and be carefree in the moment.

Thank you so much for all of your info, i particularly like the self foot massage reflexology idea, I think that is one I would enjoy doing and it would set me up for the day along with the cold shower.

Have you ever heard of the James Bond shower? If not look it up as i was only reading about it this morning so can't say too much off the top of my head but it is interesting.

I like the lemon and warm water idea, we always keep lemons in the house so i will give it a shot.

Thanks for everything and keep talking if you want, i like listening to you lol

Super! ..... I am going to look up James Bond right now!.
If you use some oil or cream or lotion with the foot massage which is what I do...if you have a chemical free one then that would be great. if you have any essential oils like lavender or chamomile or clary sage or passion flower then you can put a drop into the oil or cream and mix...then use on the bottom of your feet while massaging These are really known for relaxing and aiding restful sleep but there are more out there that do that also.tackles

 

[Petal]

Super! ..... I am going to look up James Bond right now!.
If you use some oil or cream or lotion with the foot massage which is what I do...if you have a chemical free one then that would be great. if you have any essential oils like lavender or chamomile or clary sage or passion flower then you can put a drop into the oil or cream and mix...then use on the bottom of your feet while massaging These are really known for relaxing and aiding restful sleep but there are more out there that do that also.tackles

Thanks so much for the info - I love it I think we all need to treat ourselves better, when mentally unwell we can tend to neglect our self care at times so hopefully this info and thread will help others too

 

[DrownedFishOnFire]

At home. I stay in bed as much as possible until one of the girls start to complain and poke me with their paws that they want attention and treats. And hunger drives me off or I gotta go to the bathroom.

 

[Auri]

Sleep~

Kitty has the secret to the best morning routine.

 

[HappyKitty]

Sleep~

Kitty has the secret to the best morning routine.

kitty is working on sleep first thennn kitty plays in the morning if well rested ^^

 

[Walker]

Morning routine?? Whats that? I think I'm with @DrownedFishOnFire I only get out of bed cause I have to take a leak.