Mornings, especially Monday mornings are hard enough normally, but during the holidays they can feel overwhelming. Between shopping lists, cooking, travel, work deadlines, and gift shopping there isn’t much time left in the day. However, taking time away from working, shopping and going on seasonal excursions with our loved ones, to simply gather our scattered thoughts, revive the spirit and stay grounded, is necessary. Working that time into your morning routine is a great way to help you roll out of bed happily instead of filled with dread.

Wash Your Face Awake

There is an action in yoga, to wake yourself up out of savasana (Corpse Pose), where a person rubs their hands together, giving their palms warmth, and then holds them to their cheeks. They wash their face with this warmth and self-affection. This gently soothes the body, and signals to the mind that it is time to wake up. Using this in the morning is a peaceful way to start the morning off on your time.

Set your Intentions for the day

If you wake up and find yourself quickly overwhelmed with the list of a million things you need to do today, then this tip is especially important for you. Routine little tasks like brushing your teeth, putting on clothes, or making breakfast have all become second nature, make a point of practicing setting your intentions for the day while you do these mindless tasks. This will help wake your mind while also organizing your thoughts into a more manageable list.

Morning Affirmation

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No matter how much of a hurry you are in, before you leave the house, take one more small moment to give yourself an affirmation. Tell yourself what you need to hear so that you can have the confidence to take on the day. Take a moment during that last-minute mirror check to tell yourself you are strong and you can do this.

Starting your day of right with a healthy breakfast and a healthy dose of personal time can help you stay grounded and keep you from feeling so physically and emotionally depleted later in the day. The more energy you invest into your own well-being, the more you can give away to others.