Medical Professionals
24 What is Your Morning Routine?
Do you start off your day feeling stressed, reactive, or foggy? Is your mind racing with to-do lists and challenges ahead? Is your body sluggish or achy? How you start off in the morning sets the stage for the day. You can cultivate intention, balance in your mind and body, productivity, and resilience to the day’s challenges. Even if you have just a few minutes, there are many self-care ideas to prepare for the day ahead by calibrating your mind, body, and energy. Here are some activities to consider as you put together your morning routine. 1. Meditation/guided imagery 2. Deep breathing 3. Imagine yourself accomplishing your main priorities 4. EFT/Tapping 5. Stretch, yoga, tai chi, qigong 6. Essential oils to regulate mood and tension 7. Journaling 8. Prayer 9. Read an inspirational passage 10. Read self-development book 11. Listen to a favorite song 12. Exercise 13. Get outside in fresh air 14. Gratitude practice 15. Draw or color 16. Mindfully prepare and eat a nourishing breakfast 17. Smile in the mirror; say “I love you,” name qualities you like 18. Text or tell a friend what you did that morning and how it made you feel 19. Meet a friend for a walk 20. Listen mindfully to the sounds around you 21. Connect with your pet, partner, kids or friend 22. Congratulate yourself for taking the time to intentionally prepare your mind, body, and spirit for the day There are many self-care activities to create a morning routine that’s right for you. Commit to doing a morning routine practice for two months, and then check in with yourself on how you feel in the mornings and through your day, and what’s different than before you started. If you miss a day (or more), don’t panic; just pick up your routine the next day, without being critical of yourself. The new neural pathways and habits need time to take hold and create lasting change in your body and mind. It’s well worth the wait!
empowering our community
to reach your highest level of health and well-being Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine has developed a comprehensive health and well-being program like no other. Completely customized and focused around our Five Pillars of Health and Well-Being: Sleep, Activity, Purpose, Nutrition and Resilience. Begin your path to optimal health with one of our clinical experts: integrative medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, health coaches, health psychologists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, massage therapists, and movement & energy specialists. To learn about the events and classes we offer or to schedule a consultation, call 732-263-7999 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/IntegrativeMedicine.
Life years ahead
Visit our Center for Integrative Health & Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Health Village in Jackson, 27 South Cooks Bridge Road, Suite 2-3, Jackson, NJ 08527.
— By Lisa Sussman, Psy.D. HMIntegrativeHealth
Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine
The County Woman Magazine www.TheCountyWoman.com
May/June 2018