Great Self-Care Exercises to Incorporate Into Your Morning Routine

Our society is busy. Careers and incomes are often at the center of our own personal universes and we have little time to schedule time for peace and relaxation. However, peace and relaxation are absolutely necessary if we don't want to experience small breakdowns on a daily basis. Additionally, being busy doesn't mean that you don't have time for self-care. Self-care comes in all forms such as sleeping in an extra five minutes or taking a walk down your favorite street. For this article, we are going to focus on self-care exercises that you can fit into your morning routine. If you are experiencing negative side-effects as a result of your busy work and personal lives, here are some ways that you can squeeze self-care into your morning.

1. Journaling

I can hear two different responses right now: excited squeals and exasperated sighs. Journaling isn't for everyone and it is absolutely okay if you don't plan on using this exercise. Move onto the next method if this is the case. However, I highly recommend that you try it before you give up entirely. The great thing about journaling is that it allows you to get out all of the stress and suffering that you experienced the day before. Even if you didn't experience anything newsworthy yesterday, you can always write prayers, positive affirmations, or goals into your journal for future reference. There are tons of amazing ideas on the internet that show you how to get the most out of your journal and I can guarantee that there is something out there for you.

2. Do Some Light Exercise

I know, rolling out of bed in the morning to go for a walk or pop in a home DVD workout can be dreadful. I can't even count the number of times where I have turned off my alarm and said, "Screw that". However, there is nothing better than the rush of energy that you experience after a workout. The best part is that you really don't have to do an intense workout to reap the benefits. If you're older or if you just don't like moving that much, that's okay! Do some yoga. Have a stretching session. Do a couple of laps around your yard or through the neighborhood. Whatever it is that gets you pumped, do it! I know that you will feel much more ready to take on the day afterward.

3. Get Spiritual

A couple of years ago, I probably would've rolled my eyes and gagged at this tip. I was completely against anything spiritual or religious. It wasn't until I went through a bunch of religions and spiritual paths that I finally found my own. Now, I pretty much pray and show my appreciation to the world every day. In fact, it's a sort of morning ritual. I get up, make a cup of tea, sit down, say my prayers and offer my gratitude to the universe or whatever god I feel like, offer some tea, and just sit there in that feeling of wholeness. It feels amazing. While this may not resonate with you, take some time to figure out what it is that you believe in. Heck, maybe you're a Pastafarian and you didn't realize it until now. Go ahead, chase that giant spaghetti monster and get your spirituality on!

4. Take a Warm Shower

There's something about a warm shower that calms me down. The feeling is made better when you have a host of body washes that smell great and feel great against your skin. Not everyone has a lot of time for this in the morning so don't fret if you can only squeeze in five minutes. Self-care is about the feeling and the energy that you get out of a certain exercise, not the amount of time that you spend on it. If you are not a shower person, try a bath. This works just as well!

5. Have Some Fun

Self-care is not always something related to relaxation. If you love playing video games, play a quick game in the morning. If you enjoy watching crazy television shows, squeeze in one episode before you have to go about your day. If you like arguing with your neighbor about who the best sports team is, make sure to go have that argument. Self-care comes in all forms and it is what makes you feel satisfied that you should pursue.

Did you enjoy these tips? Do you have any self-care exercises that you use everyday? Let me know in the comment section below!