Who Else Wants Effortless Energy and Productivity? Try Quiet Morning Rituals

As I continue my training as an aromatherapist and herbalist I take on a lot of practice clients. I tend to use friends, family, and happy volunteers and write-up healing plans. Nearly everyone is too busy, stressed, and tired. They need help with energy and sleep. I found myself recommending something simple that I used to do and need to get back to again; an hour of quiet time before work.  A calming morning ritual can help you be more productive and happy throughout the day.

My friends who see my operate on island-time way too much these days would find it hard to believe that I was given a key to the office when I was a copywriter because I was always the first one there. I'd wake up and leave crazy early to avoid traffic and arrive at my desk when the office was still near-empty (or dead empty), dark, and quiet. I'd turn on my lamp, enjoy my tea, and slowly check e-mail, follow-up on my favorite blogs/websites, write (not clocked in) and revel in the alone-time before the boss arrived and the office was bright and chaotic with employees. When I first started working for myself, stuck in office-brain, I'd get dressed in business casual and sit at my home computer and get right to work. Now I'm in flip flops and house clothes and do the same thing- always get straight to work soon after waking. I also wake up too late because AJ works nights so I've synced my circadian rhythm with his. This has to change!  Here's what an ideal morning ritual would look like for me:

My tiny reiki and meditation practice area with gemstones, sage, candles, and essential oils.

1) Water, Banana or Superfood Smoothie, get work-out (bike or weights) in first-thing for energy (walk or bike to gym)
2) Water and Tea, write "Morning Pages" (From "The Artist's Way") and "Gratitude List", Review Goals and Planner
3) Meditate/Reiki Practice
4) Tackle To-Do List with New Energy

Of course, I can't do any of that when I'm rolling out of bed at 10:30 or 11 AM because then too much of the day's gone by and I have to jump right into work!  For an evening "ritual" I'd just like some extended reading/writing/taking notes or creating time. (With Prince records.) Right now I don't stop working until 3AM, which is, of course, something I'd advice patients against! But I'm taking steps to re-set myself and get to a point where the new routine can be a reality.

Sleep and Rest like water is one of the priorities many of us Americans don't give ourselves. We burn the candles at both ends and end up with so many health problems as a result. If you're always frantically in a rush to work bursting through the office doors 2 seconds 'til clock-in time, try arriving early, even if you have to sit down at the nearby Panera or even your car until the office doors open. Skip the traffic and take some time for yourself. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

For daily updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.